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Finish the Fight, Run the Race, Keep the Faith <>< 
Dakota Hawkins
Febuary 7, 1991 - March 2, 2006 Dakota's journey of faith began on his second birth, October 1998 when he was washed in the blood of the Lamb. His journey of faith continued as a happy, healthy, intelligent, athletic All-American boy until we received the SHOCK of our lives. On Dec. 26, 2002 Dakota was diagnosed with AML leukemia at the tender age of 11. The real journey of faith became a race to cross the finish line.
Dakota underwent 5 months of intense chemotherapy at Arkansas' Childrens Hospital and went into remission very quickly following his induction therapy. We found out on Valentine's Day that his little brother, Riley, (photo album) was a perfect match for his brother. At that time the majority of the doctors felt like it would be best to wait for a transplant and finish the protocol he was on.
Dakota relapsed on Oct. 21, 2003 (age 12), and began another round of chemotherapy. We left for M. D. Anderson in Houston, Tx after Christmas of 2003. Dakota had a stem cell transplant on Feb. 23, 2004(age 13) using his brother's cells. Riley's cells helped prolong Dakota's life. Dakota relapsed 9 months later on Nov. 23, 2004. We returned to MDA in Houston on Dec. 4, 2004 to undergo experimental therapy, but to no avail.
God began calling us to Jerusalem on Dakota's 14th birthday. We left two weeks' later for Jerusalem to undergo a transplant that manipulates cells to fight the cancer. Dakota first received his mother's cells, but rejected them. Riley's cells were then given to Dakota again. Thankfully, we went into remission and become 100 percent donor cells from his brother. We returned home from Jerusalem to the US the end of May 2005 with a hopeful heart.
Our newest enemy became Graph vs. Host Disease (auto-immune disease where new system fights the old affecting organs, eating, skin, hair growth, etc). After months & months of travel to San Antonio and Houston Texas for photopheresis with follow-up at Arkansas' Childrens Hospital, the GVH wouldn't loosen it's grip upon Dakota's body. Dakota fought GVH courageously and vigilantly for almost a year. He remained cancer-free.
Although we prayed the prayer of faith (James 5), asked, knocked, and believed. Our prayers we're not answered for an earthly healing, but instead we we're given a heavenly healing. Dakota's journey of faith continues in each one of us who was touched by his example, contagious smile, or wise words, and made a better person by his faith........"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord , the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Tim. 4: 7,8
Heavenly Father, as we go forward, we ask for your protective hand over Riley from dangers seen and unseen, from disease, injury, and the evil one. We ask for blessings of love, health, maturity, wisdom, and character to bestowed upon him and that he will remain faithful to you to the end. We thank you Father for allowing us to have Dakota for such a short time to love, and cherish. We are forever changed by his character and now long for the eternal....For he helped us to see how to really live. In the precious name of Jesus....Amen
On March 2, 2006 at 8:50 a.m. our lives changed forever. At age 15, our Dakota went to be with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He was at peace, at his own home and in his own bed with his mama at his side.....Surely this was not an ordinary child, but a warrior for Christ, on loan to us from God. How blessed we have been to have been chosen to be his parents, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, or friend.
Journal
Sunday, February 6, 2011 6:46 PM CST Dakota would be 20 years old tomorrow. I often catch myself wondering how handsome he would be, what he would be studying in college, who his girlfriend would be, but mostly how he would have lived his life had he survived childhood cancer. What would his mission, passion and drive in life be today. I know part of the answer.....He shared his dreams with me often as we talked in the wee hours of night from his hospital bed. Or as I cared for him as tenderly as I could from home. I ponder them deeply in my heart and still ask, "Why him, God and not some evil serial killer?"..." God's ways are NOT our ways, His puposes are NOT our purposes" Isaiah 55:8 God's word reveals some of the answers.
Now here we are almost five years later from his death. How are we faring? Honestly, I can speak for all of us. We are doing amazingly well and God has been faithful. God has taught us so much through the life-altering affects of cancer.... To always count our blessings, praise Him more and complain less, but especially to see the good in the days of evil and "keep the faith" when it would be easier to be bitter and give it up.
God gave us another beautiful son almost three years ago named Quinn. A happy, healthy, fun-loving little boy, he has restored joy and refreshed our spirits. I often wonder if Dakota asked God to send him to us?? As most of you know, the miracle of this story is Quinn's birthname is Dakota! Would you believe it if I told you he is a lot like Dakota? This is no mere coicidence but God's sovereign providence and we have witnessed the difference.
Riley, now a senior, has been able to be the big brother to Quinn that Dakota was to him. They share a bond that only those who have suffered great loss can understand. Riley was unselfishly a huge part of our decision to bring a child into our lives who needed love and a place to call home. They are sooo blessed to have one another. Ry had an amazing football season as linebacker for the Cabot Panthers. God safe-guarded him and for that we are grateful. Now, halfway through his senior year, Riley has a strong desire to become a Physical Therapist so he can help those who have been crippled from disease, accident, or sports injuries. His dad and I couldn't be more proud. Riley, you are still our HERO! Dakota would say, "Hey, that's my little bro" AND smile that dynamic smile.
Henry is an amazing husband and father. A family man first, I am amazed at how he balances home and work and excels at both! We both now the greatest blessing is to still have our health, knowing how quickly that can be taken away with no discrimination of age.
Yet tonight the pain still smolders. I think of the first sign of labor when Dakota was kicking his way out of my womb. He was born a fighter and died a fighter! I remember the details of his birth and when his dad and I first laid our eyes on him. Upon his birth, he was quickly taken away from us with breathing problems. Like King Hezekiah of the Old Testament, we PLEADED with God and He added 15 short years to Dakota's life (read the story of Hezekiah....the parallels are amazing).
Celebrating a birthday without the birthday boy is indescribable and extremely difficult...We try to honor his life each day, but with a birthday we just manage to breath our way through. Today I visited my firtborn son's grave. In lieu of planning a surprise party or making the perfect birthday cake in anticipation of seeing his smile, I'm forced to pick out flowers to lay over his precious earthly remains after being destroyed from the evils of cancer. Somewhat maimed, we strive for wholeness each day, but come up a little short. The pain of living our lives without Dakota is a daily challenge for our family. Yet we try to wear that smile although the pain is tucked away and residual.....We have no choice but to live our lives with the pain and allow it to re-define us. As the dullness lingers in our souls, we cannot be completely satisfied this side of Heaven. Grief can be an incurable heartache that never fully loses its grip but we learn how to cope with it. Only when we see the face of Jesus then He gently leads us to Dakota will it be fully well with our souls. God PROMISES us that eternal reward and that my friend is as REAL as it gets. With that promise tightly sealed in our hearts we can continue to "press on!"
We've learned that life isn't fair. Bad things do happen to the innocent and young. We've learned to TREASURE every moment with our children, We PREFER to be together and dislike being apart. We've learned to VALUE our time with family and friends. We've learned to cling to the things that bring us PEACE and COMFORT. We've learned that it is okay to try and avoid the things that cause us the greatest pain, But if we cannot, we must hit it head on! We've learned that adversity does make us STRONGER. We've learned to have a CAUSE greater than ourselves and EMBRACE it. The Keep the Faith Foundation for Kids with Cancer is a cause very near and dear to our hearts (video/info link at bottom). God is still our survival kit.....
Dakota, I know your birthday with your CREATOR is much greater than I could ever make it here. All I really know is that God needed you more with Him than we needed you here.....Therefore, I'm convinced God is using your amazing strength, faith, personality, pleasant nature, contagious smile, tender heart, charming wit, engineers mind, and God-given talents in Heaven. Are you helping him prepare a place for us? Sometimes I do feel the touch of an angel's wings and I just smile and wonder....Thank you for making us who we are today. I was soooo blessed to have been chosen as your mother.....I love you dearly and miss you deeply....Mom
Keeping the Faith, Always~
Read Journal History
Links: http://ktf.faithcabot.org Keep the Faith Foundation
http://www.orgsites.com/ar/penniesfromheaven Pennies from Heaven
http://www.dashpoemmovie.com?SRC=NETDASHMOVIE The Dash
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