Sometimes, you meet amazing and pure people that will change your life forever. For Jeanie Manning and her son Jake, special education teacher Kerry Bremer is one of them.
Jake, who has Down syndrome, moved to Massuchessets together with his mom around years ago and now goes to school at the CASE Collaborative School. The two are originally from Florida and the relocation was a major source of stress for both, but there was one person in particular who they could always rely on: Jake’s teacher Kerry.
Jake had no idea that Kerry would change his life forever.
Tragically, a couple of months after they moved, Jeanie was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis was extremely rough, as the tumors had already spread throughout her body. Doctors declared the cancer terminal and Jeanie knew that she wouldn’t have much longer to live.
The thing that broke her heart the most was the fact that she’d have to leave her son Jake behind.
When teacher Kerry heard the news, she was heartbroken as well.
Unfortunately, none of Jeanie’s relatives were able to take care of Jake after she would pass.
None of them were able to give him the special needs care that he required, meaning that Jeanie had major concerns and worries about her son’s future.
However, they didn’t expect teacher Kerry (who they’ve only known for a couple of months at that time), to step in an absolutely amazing way.
“I may be overstepping here and forgive me if I am, but my family and I would like to offer guardianship for Jake if you need a backup plan,” the teacher said to Jeanie.
This teacher offered to adopt Jake after his mom passed away.
Kerry already had three children of her own, but she couldn’t stand the idea of Jake being left alone or moving into an unfamiliar or uncomfortable situation.
The teacher herself recalls the conversation as well and remembers that Jeanie’s eyes became filled with tears as she suggested it. Jeanie accepted the offer and couldn’t believe this amazing act and generosity of the kind woman.
“I’ll sleep better tonight than I have in a very long time.”
To make sure everything went smoothly, the two families started to get to know each other better.
“We would take Jake to appointments together and celebrate holidays together. Jean called him ‘our son,’” Kerry recalls. “That must have been so hard for her, to be planning for her death, but she did a beautiful job. She was so courageous.”
After a couple of years, Jeanie passed away. Everyone was devastated by the void by her, a kind and courageous woman who fought a terrible disease. Thanks to Kerry, her son will still have a home that he’s comfortable in, where he’s taken care of properly, and where he’s loved. Jeanie will never be forgotten and will remain in their hearts forever.
“This past Wednesday, Jeanie Manning became a ‘Queen Angel.’ She fought a long, hard, and often very unfair battle with cancer. We knew it would happen some day, but it was the last thing any of us expected this past Wednesday. As a result of her passing, we will love, protect, and treasure Jake just as we promised. He will live with us forever, and we will keep her memory, her love, her determination, and her beautiful smile alive in his heart and ours every day! We love you, ‘Queen Angel Mom.’ Fly high and watch over us every day. ‘Our boy’ will miss you terribly, but we’ve got this!” Kerry posted on Facebook after Jeanie passed.
A tragic, yet at the same time heartwarming story about love.
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This past Wednesday, Jeanie Manning became a "Queen Angel." She fought a long, hard and often very unfair battle with…
Posted by Kerry Petkewich Bremer onFriday, November 15, 2019
