07/19/2024
From Burke's Aunt TT
It was 12 years ago today that my family experienced an unimaginable loss. It was the day that Burke died. So tragic. So unexpected. Twelve years have passed like the blink of an eye. Time passes quickly but the pain of losing him has never faded. We will forever miss him!
It was a beautiful, sunny July day and I remember getting a phone call from Jim that Burke collapsed playing basketball in the school gym. I immediately began praying for him. The updates continued to come and each one was more dire than the previous. They were doing CPR. They were airlifting him to the hospital. We got in the car and began what felt like the longest hour of my life to get to the hospital. They said he was gone. I still believed that God could revive him. I prayed over him and asked God to bring him back. He didn’t. Burke never regained consciousness. This beautiful boy was gone.
I’ll never understand why God did not answer my prayers, and the prayers of so many, that day. I’ll never understand why he didn’t live. I’ll never understand the pain that his parents, brothers and family have had to go through in these years since his death. Some things will never make sense.
I do believe that, if you allow it, God can bring good things from very bad things. Several years after Burke’s death I went to a women’s speaker conference. I bought a bracelet from a woman that was transitioning out of homelessness. At the time, I didn’t realize it had a scripture on it. When I looked it up I was so moved.
The scripture was Genesis 50:20.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Burke’s death could have destroyed us all. It could have stolen our faith, our hope. Most you you know that we started the Living4Burke Foundation after his death to identify youth at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. We have saved lives with our screening events and awareness campaigns. We may never know the full impact or reach of our efforts but lives have been saved in Burke’s memory.
I encourage everyone reading this today to learn hands-only CPR. Make sure your schools, churches, gyms and recreation centers have working AEDs. Make sure that coaches and teachers that are with your children know what to do in the event of a cardiac emergency. Do not be afraid to ask tough questions. The minutes immediately following a cardiac event are critical and knowing what to do can save a life. It could have saved Burke’s life.
If I could get a message to Burke it would be that we will never forget you! We continue our work to save lives through EKG athlete screening and CPR/AED advocacy. We will see you again one day and it will be amazing! Your short life had profound meaning and purpose and I am so proud to be your TT❤
Burke's favorite Bible verse:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
If Burke’s story has impacted your life please share it in the comments. I know that it would be so meaningful for our family. Living4Burke
*****Make sure your kids/teens/athletes are safe to play sports by having them screened at the St. Tammany Outpatient Pavillion. Call and ask for the Living4Burke screening. Cost is $150 dollars and insurance is not required.
It doesn’t matter where you live this screening is open to all kids ages 12-22. Call today and make sure your teen’s heart is SAFE TO PLAY sports. The number is 985-871-5665. Take advantage of this screening as it is the only one of it’s kind in the state of Louisiana.*****
Ronnie Simpson Sharon Burkhalter Cobb Karis Cobb
