Jamie Redmer

My husband and I had been married for fifteen years.  We were blessed with four amazing children.  Our lives were everything we ever dreamed of and to say we were happy is such an understatement.  There was nothing but love between us.  

On June 6, 2019, our world was shattered when my Greggie went into the hospital.  It was there we found out that he had suffered multiple heart attacks and had years of heart damage.  He ultimately spent the last week of his life surviving on the highest level of life support available.  He passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones, on June 26, 2019.  He was my partner and best friend.  He made us all feel safe and protected and our world had been ripped apart.  

About a day before his passing, we were told that his time was limited.  I rarely left his ICU room but on June 25th, I had to go home and be with our children.  The hardest thing I’ve ever done is tell our kids that their Daddy was going to die.  Those were words that I had never imagined, let alone say them out loud to our sweet babies.  I promised each of them that I would do my best, to do my best, for them.  I knew in my heart that the greatest thing I’d ever do is be their mom.  Although, in that moment, I was faced with a big decision- to give up and let the world of grief swallow me up or to Keep F***ing Going.  I am thankful each day that I chose (and continue to choose) KFG.  It’s been hard, but we say all of the time, we’re doing hard things.  I don’t think I ever knew how strong I was until we had to say to goodbye to my husband.  It hasn’t been the easiest, but we choose KFG, each day, for each other and to honor the kindest man we’ll ever know.

I should back up and explain that during our hospital stay and following Greggie’s passing, I received a couple of gifts, each with the words Keep F***ing Going engraved on them.  There were three gifts to be exact, each from different friends and family, from different states, all unknowing of each other’s purchases.  That phrase became our family motto and is proudly written on our weekly chalkboard, at home.  (Yes, my kids hear, read and say curse words but that’s a story for another time.)  While I’d love to say that I made up the phrase, I can’t take credit for it.  It came from a combination of strong and kind women looking out for me and my kids.  

The five of us are thankful, each day, for our family, friends and community.  They’ve never left our side.  We’ve even been blessed with new friends who have stepped up in our time of need.  Our KFG motto is not only helping us to continue moving forward.  It’s a thank you to everyone that surrounded us with love.  We will Keep F***ing Going.  We will share love and do good things for others.  It is my hope that our story inspires others to KFG, to lift one another up and to share love.  

Cheers to all the families and friends who are helping someone else get back on their feet.  Cheers to taking baby steps.  Cheers to KFG!