Rydon Gonzalez will turn 5 this month. But her parents will not be there to celebrate with them.
Kovid, a 4-year-old mother, died in October 19, just months after her father was killed.
“He misses his mother because he was an uncle’s boy,” his grandmother Rosie Salinas told NBC News on Saturday. “Just this morning he told me he wanted to give it back to his mom and she just wanted it back.”
“I mean, what do I call him? You know, so I told him he’s now an angel who watches over us and protects us,” said Salinas, who was Mary’s mother, Ryden’s mom.
Despite mourning herself, Salinas wants to make Ryden’s birthday on November 28 as bright as possible. She and her sister came up with the idea for a drive-by celebration, which she said now looks like it will be too big.
“We have a lot of truck clubs, bikers, Mustang clubs, classic cars, jeep clubs, as well as the fire department. It’s going to be a big turnout.”
The family’s tragic story began earlier this year when Raiden’s father’s co-worker, Adana, who worked as a truck driver, tested positive for the virus, Salinas said.
A few days later, Adan was admitted to the hospital on June 3 after a positive test. Health care workers told the family that “he was one of two sick people in the hospital,” Salinas said.
He died weeks later, on June 26, at the age of 33.
Raiden’s mother, 29, was mourning her husband’s death, Salinas said. When she died suddenly on Oct. 5, just hours after her illness began, Salinas said.
Days after her death, Salinas received a phone call from the hospital stating that Maria had tested positive for the virus.
“Maria wanted to build a memorial for Adan, but she never got it,” Salinas said. She said she plans to have a memorial for both her daughter and son-in-law after the holidays.
Raiden’s mom was a teacher, and she’s in prekindergarten at the school where she worked.
“I kept him in the same preschool,” his grandmother said. “They really take good care of him. They know what his condition is.”
On Saturday morning Ada was greeted with the arrival of a surprise package that included a small dinosaur toy, which is her first birthday gift.
“He likes dinosaurs, he likes monster trucks, he likes hot wheels,” Salinas said. “But he chose the dinosaur theme for his birthday, he really liked it.”
In the midst of all the pain, Salinas said her grandson keeps pushing her.
“He’s the one who keeps me going, just with his friendly and constant reminders telling me how much he loves me. He always thanks me for taking care of him, but I have to think about him.” “It’s a difficult situation to process.”
Janhvi Bhojwani and Shamar Walters Contributed.
