'Tears in my eyes': Mom who lost son wins trip to big game
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MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. - One rabid and very lucky Seahawks fan is flying to Atlanta for Sunday's game, after winning big in the STAR 101.5 radio contest - and the trip has special meaning for the devoted mother who lost her eldest son.
"I'm so excited, but I don't know if I can get everything in here," says Lena Boyovich of Maple Valley as she packs her suitcase. "Got to have my Seahawks colors."
STAR 101.5 is flying Lena to Atlanta - and she's taking her two grown sons.
"This is something my sons and I have shared for many years together - is sports, and especially the Seahawks," she says.
Her eldest son, Isaac, will be with his mom - but in a different way.
"I reached up ... had tears in my eyes ... pulled it down, opened it up and just like - OK," she recounts.
It was Isaac's favorite Seahawks jersey - the one Lena boxed up and saved after her son died unexpectedly three years ago.
"Put it on, I stood in the mirror and felt like he - like his arms were around me," she says.
Lena describes him as a vibrant, loving, intelligent 27-year-old who was raising his own son, Jackson. It's too hard for her to talk about how it happened.
"I never felt as empty as when I lost my son. And I think of him every second of every day," she says.
On the day she chose to enter the playoff flyaway contest, she put on Isaac's jersey ... because she had a feeling.
"I'm going to have him with me, and I'm going to have luck. And he brought me luck. He was there with me," says Lena.
So, you see, she will be taking Isaac with her to cheer on the 'Hawks.
"He's there. ... He's my angel. He's sending us on this trip - I know it."
"I'm so excited, but I don't know if I can get everything in here," says Lena Boyovich of Maple Valley as she packs her suitcase. "Got to have my Seahawks colors."
STAR 101.5 is flying Lena to Atlanta - and she's taking her two grown sons.
"This is something my sons and I have shared for many years together - is sports, and especially the Seahawks," she says.
Her eldest son, Isaac, will be with his mom - but in a different way.
"I reached up ... had tears in my eyes ... pulled it down, opened it up and just like - OK," she recounts.
It was Isaac's favorite Seahawks jersey - the one Lena boxed up and saved after her son died unexpectedly three years ago.
"Put it on, I stood in the mirror and felt like he - like his arms were around me," she says.
Lena describes him as a vibrant, loving, intelligent 27-year-old who was raising his own son, Jackson. It's too hard for her to talk about how it happened.
"I never felt as empty as when I lost my son. And I think of him every second of every day," she says.
On the day she chose to enter the playoff flyaway contest, she put on Isaac's jersey ... because she had a feeling.
"I'm going to have him with me, and I'm going to have luck. And he brought me luck. He was there with me," says Lena.
So, you see, she will be taking Isaac with her to cheer on the 'Hawks.
"He's there. ... He's my angel. He's sending us on this trip - I know it."
Much love to Lena, and Isaac's not only symbolized in that jersey, but he lives in everyone's heart and memories. Â I hope they have an amazing time.
Thank you for sharing this story! Â I've known Lena for 20 years, and was privileged to attend her dear son's funeral. Â I let myself lose touch with Lena since and was shocked to see this report on KOMO last night! Â She deserves this trip as much as anyone. Â
What a wonderful blessing for a certainly deserving Mom and sons!!! Much love to you and I hope you enjoy the game!!
You certainly deserve it!
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@KahlaMckinnon You've got problems, pal.
 @KahlaMckinnon Silly little thing, at least have enough self-respect to leave your kiddie games on other articles!
Really? I hope you don't have kids.
So sorry for your loss! Have a blast at the game, all of you, and know he's there in your hearts. GO SEAHAWKS!!
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What jersey number is that? I see the 7 and think Walter Jones, but can't see the second digit. If we know which one, all of those who have multiple jerseys can choose to wear Isaac's favorite in tribute.Â
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PS- Love the Seahawks colors nail polish, with the one green! A true fan. :^DÂ
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I'm sorry for your loss, but man people have some messed up beliefs about dead people.
@mhungry Please go away !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 @mhungry You've never lost anyone that close, have you?
The "beliefs" may be strange to you, but they help the person who holds them remember the good things.
My wife passed 21 years ago, but I still feel her give me a hug when I am at a low place. And I do believe that is her doing it.
 @OrcasThunder  @mhungry I have lost someone(s) very close, thank you very much. I don't hold onto superstitious mumbo-jumbo about "feeling their presence" though. They're dead. Gone. End of story. It's poetic to believe they still look after you and whatnot, but it's just not true. Maybe it's just because I'm not afraid of death like most people seem to be. Death is part of life. Everyone that is born, will die. End of story. The planet continues to spin, until it too dies in a cosmic firestorm when our sun also dies in a violent explosion. *shrugs*
 @mhungry "I don't hold onto superstitious mumbo-jumbo about "feeling their presence" though"
Fine, that is your right.
And I respect that.
Please show the same respect for those who see things differently.
Have a great time and I will be thinking about you and your Family.GO HAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Â
Tears in my eyes. God bless you sweetie. Have a wonderful time at the game in memory of your precious son. You were a good mom
This is a beautiful story............Go Seattle Seahawks!! Let's win one for Issac!!
No "12th man" narrative could be deeper or have more meaning that this one.
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GO Lena and Isaac.... Go Seahawks!!
I hope she has the best time!