[tri-wings] Re: Brittany
- From: S3219@xxxxxxx
- To: tri-wings@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:42:32 EST
Robin,
I live within 15 minutes of where our girls are buried and rarely go to the
cemetery. I chose to believe that we have left only their ashes there. Their
real "remains" are here in our house. What "remains" are their photos, a few
special toys, clothes, etc.... but most importantly what remains are the
amazing gifts they left in each of us.
Brittany knows that she wasn't forgotten. You don't need to "do" anything
out of the ordinary to honor her or celebrate her. I really think that for
each of us, we do show honor and gratitude to our children on a daily basis.
Each day that we get out of bed, get to work, or manage to share a smile, we
do it because of the strength that we've gained, by having had the experience
of living in the presence of someone truly amazing.
If my girls, had been anything but the awesome, life changing, little people
that they were, I never would have survived their loss. I know, that if not
for the impact that they had in my life, I would not have been able to go
on. I am not that strong.
I truly believe that our children are not far from us. They don't exist in a
plot of land in a cemetery. They exist in our homes, our thoughts, our
memories and in our hearts. I have to believe that there is more there after we
die and our kids continue to be a part of our lives even if we can't see or
hear
them. I chose to believe that they watch over us, and can hear our words,
even if we don't say them out loud.
If the need is there to do something more tangible, I've had fun doing
little things for others i.e. paying for a meal for the stranger who is in line
behind us in a drive through, sending books over to the elementary school for a
classroom, helping someone clear snow from their car windows in a parking
lot, shoveling the neighbor's sidewalk, sending $ to the local food shelf,
taking a supply of diapers and wipes to the battered women's shelter. At
holiday
time we had fun purchasing gifts for a family in need at the elementary
school.
Simple things that make someone's day a bit easier go a long way toward
honoring the memory of our kids.
I know that for all the trips we've made to the hospital in recent months, I
appreciate those who donated blankets or story books for the kids to take
home, or the magazine subscriptions that people have donated.
We all have opportunities all around us to share some of what we've learned.
I believe that we can pass on the lesson of caring about someone regardless
of what they might do for us in return. What better way to honor the
children, then to share that with others.
Think of the messages sent in honor of little Evan who most recently joined
our kids. Those notes, to remind his devastated family that they aren't alone,
were selfless little gifts that we wouldn't be capable of giving if it
weren't for kids like Brittany who taught us that we can and will continue on.
Each time someone leaves a post here, it reaches people who will gain
something, and honors the memory of the ones that we lost. To me it seems
much more
valuable than a visit to a cemetery....Should we dwell on what we've lost or
what we've gained ?.... clearly both are important. Are we supposed to hold on
to the gifts of our memories, or do we pass them on ??
Ok, the lack of sleep has clearly taken it's toll and once again I've spent
lots of time and space babbling. I appreciate being able to read and learn
from all of you. I love taking this selfish time to read your posts and find
immense comfort in having the common ground that we're all on. I thank all of
our little ones for being strong enough to bring a group of people together
from all over the globe. What powerful little beings..........
Nancy,
Mom to Tony (10), Ian (5), Paul (5), India (4), Logan (3),
and Angels
Sky (11/23/92--8/26/06), and Analee T-18 (7/22/96--7/4/06).
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