Sawyer Ridgeway
On May 17, 2016, after the very traumatic birth of my second child, I was told that I would never be able to have any more children. As a family of four, we were very content having two beautiful daughters but still prayed for a little boy as we knew he would complete our family in more ways than one. We always believed that if our Lord had plans for me to birth a son, his will would be done. To our surprise, we found out in March 2018, that we were expecting a baby. Sixteen weeks later during an early gender sonogram, our prayers were answered and we found out that I was carrying not only a miracle but a baby boy…… our first son! Sawyer Scott Ridgeway made his unforgettable grand appearance on November 29, 2018 stealing the hearts of many, especially his two big sisters! This was the 3rd happiest day of my life!
Sawyer Scott was the typical little boy and always the center of attention. His crystal blue eyes lit a room like a Christmas tree, his smile was contagious, and he could rock a Mohawk! He loved the outdoors, especially exploring muddy puddles in his rubber boots, swinging with his big sister, riding his power wheels (four wheeler, tractor, and excavator specifically), and camping. Some of his favorite TV recordings were Blippi, Mickey & The Roadster Racers, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Blaze & The Monster Trucks, and Peppa Pig. He would have made an excellent husband someday because of his love for mopping, sweeping, and laundry. He also loved cuddling with his blue blanket, dinosaurs (T-Rex specifically), knocking holes in our walls with his play tools, nerf guns, excavators, tractors, fire trucks, airplanes, helicopters and much more. But there was one thing he loved more than any of the above and that was Superhero’s, his favorite being Spider-Man.
His sweet, caring, beautiful heart was set on saving people which meant becoming a superhero someday. Although I know that dreams do change as we get older, his dream to become a superhero at the age of 3 years and 24 days came true on December 23, 2021. My perfect, sweet, innocent, full of life little boy was born brave and entered eternal life as a SUPERHERO! Two days before Christmas, our baby boy entered eternal life and graduated to Heaven due to an unavoidable tragic auto accident leaving our hearts shattered!
Within a couple hours following his Heavenly graduation, we were contacted by LOPA (LA Organ Procurement Agency) to give the gift of life. We were told that we had to make a decision within the hour but our “yes” came approximately fifteen minutes into the conversation. We knew that a child, somewhere, was lying in a hospital bed while his/her parents were on their knees begging God for a miracle. We agreed that we couldn’t stand the thought of another family spending Christmas grieving over the loss of their child. I’ll never forget the reason for that phone call & the feeling of numbness & sadness that took over my body. But I will also never forget the result of that phone call and the joy I feel in my heart today. Organ donation is a light in a dark place, a hope for our tomorrows, and the gift of life from a stranger. It’s a generous gift we make to help others by giving life saving gifts at NO cost!
Because of our very own superhero and our selfless act of kindness, not one, but TWO children underwent surgery in January 2022, replacing their heart valves. His pulmonary valves saved a child in Missouri while the aortic valves saved a child in our home state of Louisiana. Although our baby boy was here with us for 1,120 days, he touched the lives of so many….near and far.
Although our lives will never know normalcy again, we made a promise to our superhero to keep his memory alive. Until my last breath on Earth, “Ma” will do just that.
Rest in Heaven my Angel
Sawyer Scott (Superhero) Ridgeway
November 29, 2018 — December 23, 2021