Evie Hope Peek, my granddaughter, my daughter’s daughter, died on Tuesday evening, December 20, 2022. She was born on March 8, 2017, with a congenital condition called Heterotaxy. Basically, her organs were on the wrong side of her body and many of them were plumbed wrong. During my daughter Becky’s pregnancy with Evie, there was some concern that Evie wouldn’t make it through the pregnancy due to her low heart rate, but she did. Her heart condition was due to her Heterotaxy and the pediatric cardiologists thought they could fix it.
I don’t want to go through the long litany of medical procedures that one small body went through. That isn’t my purpose. Suffice it to say that on December 25, 2017, she had a heart transplant and had been on anti-rejection drugs since. On January 1, 2021, she had a liver transplant. In the middle of a pandemic, no less.
I’ve always thought that the heart transplant saved her life, but the liver transplant gave her a life. I don’t think any of us realized how that overgrown, sclerotic liver was dragging her down until it was gone. She blossomed after she got a new liver and became a little girl for the first time.
Growing up
Since getting her new liver, she began to eat real foods and no longer depended on being tube fed through an NG tube. She got a bed of her own in the room with her favorite big sister, Addie. And she learned how to potty in the toilet like a big girl.
When her baby teeth started falling out, she was quite excited to be able to put a tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy. She was very specific with the tooth fairy that she didn’t want any of that paper money. She wanted coins.
Beach Trip
Last summer in late August, the Peek family, John, and I went to Crystal Beach, just south of Galveston. We rented a house right on the beach. Micah her older brother told us that going to the beach was one of her favorite things she did in her short life. I’m so glad we made that happen. Evie sat on the beach most of the time digging in the sand.
Photo by John Corbin
When the rain chased us in, Becky, Kevin, and I worked on a jigsaw puzzle and Evie “helped” us.
Photo by John Corbin
John took the most recent photo of their little family there and it is a beauty. He also took the header picture that weekend. He said he wanted a picture of those wild curls. The red hair comes from Kevin’s side of the family. I’ll claim the curls.
Photo by John Corbin
Favorite toys
Her favorite toys were Calico Critters. We visited them the weekend after Thanksgiving. She brought out the basket of Critters, some of them ones I’d saved from Becky’s childhood (yes, I’m a bit of a hoarder). She dumped the basket of critters, furniture, and accouterments on the floor in the living room and played with them all by herself. Becky said she so enjoyed watching her play and it sure beat the “barnacle baby” she had been earlier in her life.
During that same weekend, Evie was playing on the floor with these toys and Becky joined her. Becky told me to watch this and set up a little room with a sofa and chair at right angles with a coffee table in front of the sofa, then she put a couple of critters on the sofa. Evie said, “No, mom,” and took it all apart including laying the sofa and chairs upside down. If Evie didn’t set it up, evidently it was wrong.
I bought her three Calico critter vehicles for Christmas. One was an ice cream truck with little ice cream scoops for the critters, another was a van with baby car seats that came out of the car, and the final one was a tandem bicycle with brother and sister critters. I was looking forward to watching her play with them. I had not wrapped them yet. Now they sit under the tree and when I see them, I miss her.
Photo by author
Phone Calls
Lately, she’s been calling me on the telephone. When she first started calling and the caller ID flashed her mother’s name, I was prepared to talk to Becky until I heard her little voice say, “Hi, G. What are you doing today?” I came to enjoy those sweet phone calls as her mother coaxed her telephone etiquette. At the end of one phone call, I heard Becky say, “Now say bye and push the red button.” Then Evie would say, “Bye” and I hardly had a chance to say goodbye before the phone connection ended.
We last spoke on the phone on Saturday when she was at the hospital (or “hopsital” as she pronounced it) for a one-day treatment of a transplant rejection episode she was having and she was bored. The medical staff called something in the treatment a “rocket ship,” maybe it was the IV, I never clarified that. On this call, I asked her if she was getting a “rocket.” She let me know it was called a “rocket ship.”
I also asked if she was getting to play with her iPad and she once again set me straight that the iPad was not hers, but the hospital’s iPad. The Child Life department at the hospital sent her home with so many toys that evidently, they had to make it very clear to her that she was not taking this one home. She had such strong opinions and she didn’t hesitate to tell you what was right according to her.
On Saturday, I told her that it was time for my lunch. She said, “Okay, G. I’ll talk to you tomowow.” She had a little trouble with her “r’s.” That tomorrow never came.
This is a tribute to her brave little soul. She was blossoming into a real personality and not a baby. We were blessed to have her for 5.75 years and will miss her terribly for years more to come.
Such a beautiful soul. Thank you for this, Susan.
Thanks for reading, Gayle. All the support we have gotten from friends has helped fill the hole she left in our lives.
We are sad beyond words. We never got to meet her, but we prayed for her for all the years of her life. May she be enjoying the best life ever forever. Prayers to all the family.
Thanks, Nancy. It has been difficult and all the love from friends and family have helped.
I am so very sorry for your families loss, Susan, and please know that we hold all of you in our hearts this Holiday Season and beyond. What a loving tribute you have written and such a wonderful photograph of a beautiful family that John captured. I hope you all find comfort in the tiny beautiful moments you shared individually and together with Evie Hope. Blessings.
Thanks for the words, Debra. While they cannot repair our hearts, they certainly do support us.
I am so sorry to hear of this Susan, but what a glowing tribute. This child was obviously loved beyond measure .
She was indeed. Thanks, Melanie.
That top photo is simply iconic. Thank you for sharing such beautiful photos and words that took me more deeply into all of your lives. What a character she was! Sending love to the whole family…
Thanks for your comment. She certainly was one of a kind.
Oh what a heartache. And what a lovely tribute you wrote. I can just see her doing and saying all those things! We are thinking of you all with much love.
Thanks for the love. It really does help.
My God I’m so sorry precious Susan. What a beautiful family, and brilliant writing to share your granddaughter with us all. Praying for comfort and peace. Sending love from my heart to yours.
Thanks, Tracy. I needed to write this. I’d been writing it in my head until I finally got it down. Now I can let it go.
Marion and I share your devastation. I’m so sad for all of you while being heartened by the pure love and joy that you’ve communicated about this hurt, exquisite life. Breathing with you because words seem useless in this moment. Much love to all
Thanks, Tica. As I have said before and I’ll continue to say, the outpouring of love from friends truly helps.
Oh, dearest, Susan. Sending you gentle hugs and much love. I can hear Evie’s sweet little voice through your words.
Heartbreaking.
Love you dearly. Here for you always.
I’m glad I wrote the stories. Now I’ll remember them as clearly as when they happened.
I’m so sorry Evie’s time on this planet has come to an end. I remember praying for her health and medical procedures as an infant. She’s had to fight from the start. Thanks for sharing pictures and stories of her having fun times. I’m glad you have those memories. Peace & hugs. 💜🙏🏾💜
Sedora, thanks for the kind words. The prayers helped then and now as well.
Susan, my heart is sooo heavy. I cannot fathom what you all are going through. I’m at a loss for words. You did an amazing job writing about her, so beautifully. What a gift you were to her.
Sending so much love, with deepest condolences.
Renee, thank you for the kind words about the writing. It helped me to get it out of my head.
Thanks for the short version of her life. It brought back memories of her. I especially like the last part of her recent life. I knew they were active in their church and figured they had lots of support from their Christian friend. Glad to know she went as peacefully as she could. My prayers and thoughts are with the entire extended family.
Thanks, Ellen. Yes, the support their church as given them is far beyond anything I would have expected. The service we had in her hospital room was extraordinary.
Oh my my Susan, John and family
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Thank you for inviting us in to this time in your lives.
BIG LOVE
Fran and Steven Moss
Thank you, Fran and Steven. You both have spots in our hearts and your love is wonderful to receive.
Woah. The emotions I feel and I haven’t met her. I love you and my heart hurts alongside you.
Thank you, Kelly. You would have loved her in her better moments. She could be a stinker, but given all that she had been through, she was a wonderful personality.
I remember when she was born, and the heart transplant. Ahhh, sweet babe! Thinking of all of you. So glad you got some time with her, and thank you for sharing! What an adorable soul ❤️❤️
Thanks, Sarah, she was indeed an adorable soul.
Oh, Susan, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Evie. Your tribute to her was so touching that it brought tears to my eyes. Evie sounds like she had clear ideas of how things needed to be. I loved your examples of her “setting you straight.” What a joy to have this sweet girl for those 5.75 years. I am holding you and John close in my heart and sending up prayers for your family. May light perpetual shine upon your little Evie.
Thanks, Len. Yes, and may her light shine on all of us.
Susan, how beautifully you have captured and conveyed the love in your family in sharing it with us this way. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words, Sherry. It helped me to write it and capture as much of her as I could now.
Susan, what a lovely tribute to your amazing granddaughter. I am so sorry for this tragic loss may God’s peace be with you all.
Thanks, Laurel. Life will be a little bit darker now.
What a beautiful little child, Susan. My heart aches for you, John and your family. May the good memories bring you peace. 🙏💞
Thanks, Judi. She was beautiful inside and out.
Having had the honor of reading about her short life through your loving eyes, my heart breaks for you and your family. Evie was a strong-willed little girl who had survived so much. Sending love to you and your family.
Thanks, Michelle. She was and she did. We have felt all the love our friends have been sending to us and it has helped.
Susan, No words to say how very sorry I am to hear this news. My heart breaks for you and your family.
Thank you for sharing her story with us. What an honor to know her through your words and love. What a trooper to the end.
Sending you much love, prayers and God’s peace to you all. Know you aren’t alone.
Teresa
Thanks, Teresa. Sharing her story has helped me process her loss. I want to remember her fierce little spirit.
I am so, so, so sorry Susan. No words in the world exist to explain, understand, accept, and live when a young child transitions and leaves us behind. Send you all the love your way and your family’s way. And may Evie’s wonder and charm stay with you forever.
Thanks, Alejandra. The love of all our friends has lightened the burden somewhat.
It’s so wonderful to see the pictures of Evie! What a beautiful dear. And I’m so happy she was able to go to the beach. Yes, I hope you feel the love, Susan. You are such an amazing family, especially Evie. I feel so privileged to have known all of you in some small way as your shared this journey. Courage, love, acceptance, you all have in such great measure. I’m going to hold you close to my heart in the days, weeks and months to come.
I cannot begin to understand the hurt that you and your family are experiencing right now. Each person’s loss comes with its own hurt, unique to that person. One thing we can all share is the joy that her short life brought to each family member and that joy that spilled over to Journey from both you and John. I experience great sadness for you and your family. I do rejoice in the hope that the separation that death brings is only temporary. I look forward to rejoining all who have gone before. I also look forward to meeting Evie for the first time. What a dynamic young girl who brought so much joy to so many. Enough that it overflowed through you into the community we all know as Journey. May you and all your family experience a peace that passes all understanding.
Thanks, Joe. I hope her little spirit is brightening other spirits also.
Oh Susan…I remember meeting you at the silent retreat, and hearing your words about the heart transplant. I’ve missed those retreats, mostly because I’ve missed hearing about her progress. It sounds as if she squeezed as much life out of her time on this planet as possible. Nothing can fill the Evie-sized hole in your lives, but sharing stories like this create space for Evie-sized love to spill into the cracks. Many blessings to you and all of those who loved and cared for her…
Thanks, Beverly. She was quite the character at her age. I’m glad that I got to spend some time with her.
We so wish there was something we could do to ease your pain but we know, for now, all you can do is take it one day at a time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thanks, Pat and Dan. Having our Journey family around has made it a lot less horrible. Not good, mind you, just less horrible. I’m so glad you are part of our Journey family.
Dear Susan and John – We send our love and prayers to you and your family . You all are so amazing! But nothing can beat the strength that little Evie had. She was a special soul to all who knew her and about her. She was one beyond her years and I m sure she touched many. It was an honor to have know her thru. you – and she has taught us so much about life and living that will remain with us. Many more Blessings to you and John and your family. Joan & Bob
Thanks for your comments, Joan. I’m glad I was able to share her with my friends.