Things have been pretty busy around here. That can be a good thing most of the time and a not so good thing at times, too. For the past two weeks, it really has been more of the good than the no so good.
Two weekends ago, we travelled to Simpsonville for Elijah's First Birthday party! Elijah was beside Annabelle in the PCICU in February for a few days. We became good friends with Elijah's mommy and daddy and they graciously invited us to his party. On top of that, they asked all of his guests to bring donations for the Annabelle Baskets! We received some wonderful items for the baskets as well as monetary donations to insure the ministry continues! It was so wonderful...and Elijah definitely topped it all off by destroying his cake faster than anything I've ever seen. He was adorable trying to walk around with icing between his thighs! Precious!
Then, this past weekend we headed to our favorite southern destination, Charleston, for the Little Hearts Walk. I had a really hard time deciding if I wanted to go but finally made up my mind that I had planned on it for almost a year and that I was going to be there to honor my daughter. We first learned of the Little Hearts Walk last September shortly after learning of Annabelle's heart. Since there aren't many events that you look forward to when you're expecting a baby girl with half a heart, the walk sounded fun. It is a reunion of sorts for all the heart families and medical staff...we planned on it then. Being the optimist that I am, I had already gotten Annabelle the perfect outfit in a 6-9 month size to wear to her first Heart Walk with the most precious and most Annabelle heart bow that I could find. She was going to be dressed to the nines! Going without her wasn't a thought. I silently hoped that this weekend would never come. I definitely considered not going and just pretending that it didn't happen this year...any of it. But it all has happened and it has made me who I am now...a mother who still rejoices in the angelic daughter that spent almost 2 months with me on earth and has given me the courage to face every day with hope. We went and we walked and we loved it! Annabelle's presence was all around us...from the pink shirts to the precious people who cared for her as their own. It was a blessing to be surrounded by other heart moms who expressed their gratitude for this blog and the hope that it has given them. I am in awe of how God continues to work through our pain... Your warm hugs and friendly words mean more to me than I could ever try to express with words. I am humbled by them all and hold them so close.
Just as it has been good to be a little busy, it is scaring me a little talking about the busy season ahead of us. Wyatt was asking me last week when Halloween is (he remembers last year's festival at our church and is waiting patiently for sugar overload). I then told him that it's in a month...so the curious mind of a 4 year old continues "what's a month after Halloween?"..."what's a month after Thanksgiving?"..."what's a month after Christmas?"...Annabelle's 1st Birthday...
Please pray for the busy-ness to be balanced...it has been for the past two weeks.
7 comments:
I know that walk had to be difficult for you. I am sure feeling Annabelle around you got you thru it. She was there with you! I will pray for you and the upcoming months. Yes it the "busy" season. I can't believe it is almost Halloween, then the holidays. Lauren's 1st birthday will be here too. I will surely be thinking of Annabelle on that day too. Us coming across each other has been a blessing for me.
love and hugs,
Amanda
Oh Rebecca-
Again, I am overjoyed and teary eyed at the same time! You have such strength, it is absolutely amazing. I think it will always be a "countdown" to Annabelle's birthday, but knowing you, you all will have a private birthday party for her anyway. I can see it now, Wyatt still on sugar overload and buzzing around trying to catch a glimse of her spirit. (like in your video that you posted!) He will bake her a cupcake and then, you know since he is now a sugar addict, he will volunteer himself to eat it for her. Thank God for him. God has a plan and that was the plan for Wyatt. To help you get through the toughest thing in your life and maybe even your lifetime. He puts a smile on your face at just the right times and without him even knowing it, he is helping you heal. I cannot wait for the day until I can put my arms around you and just share the love that we have for family. May God continue to bless your beautiful family and may you feel the presence of Annabelle forever around you.
With love,
Suzie
Im so proud of you my precious friend! Im anxious to talk and hear more about your time in Charleston and the sweet reunions with doctors and nurses. Wish I could have been there as well....and seen Wyatt & Scott in their pink Angel t-shirts! You continue to inspire and exhibit such grace in grief. Thank you for being REAL and such an amazing example of God to me friend. I love you!
M
It was nice to see you again and Jessica and I thought your shirts were great. I just wanted to let you know your blog is always an inspiration and shows such strength. At the golf tournament Team Lorelei will be honored to wear a pink bow to honor your little angel. That is if it ok with you and your family.
John
Jessica
Lorelei
My heart goes out to you. What a sweet little boy you have though...I love hearing about Wyatt. What a sweetheart he is. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers each day. I can't imagine what you are going through and you handle it all with such grace. God bless you and we send our hugs to you!
Love,
Katie & Maddie
I can not imagine how difficult the walk was for you, but what a great way to honor your little angel. They do not have anything of that sort here and I wish they did. It definitely is a painful and lonely road we travel at times, but I am always strengthened by your faith and courage. If you do not mind me asking, do you think you will have another baby? I can't seem to stop thinking about having another baby and it is almost overwhelming to me how much it occupies my mind. I just wondered if that was common after a loss like ours. I am also so glad Rebecca that you were able to feel Annabelle's presence so much at the walk. Is that not the greatest feeling!?!
Keisa
As always, I am so proud of you! I am proud that you guys did the heartwalk and I know that your little Annabelle was watching her Mommy, Daddy, and brother with a HUGE amount of pride! I pray that this busy season keeps you just that and that you are able to see the wonderful things that you are doing for other families through the baskets. You guys are always in my thoughts and prayers and I am so proud and encouraged by your strength and faith. Thank you for sharing your family with us!
Bernie
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