Read personal stories from our founder and Jennifer's mommy, Libby, along with other Warrior Moms and news from our Unravel team.

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June 21, 2014

After I wrote last time I set out to get packing.. I found our backpack and looked inside. Just a few things from our last trip, her Make A Wish to DisneyWorld and even though this wasn’t her bag it had her stuff in it. A barely touched magic marker coloring book. I had no idea what to do with it. I didn’t want to throw it away but I also have nowhere to keep it. I already have so much of her stuff saved and it wasn’t like she really colored these pages.

IMG_6537I decided to go put it in her backpack in her room. Once I walked in I started sobbing. I just didn’t want to go without her. I had been walking all around the house trying to figure out what to bring of hers on the trip.. to have her with me. Its so hard to feel like I am leaving her behind. Then it hit me. Her backpack. The one she got on her forever birthday. I emptied it and then filled it with all the things we would need for Charlotte on the plane.

Writing it now I wonder if she lead me that direction.. I had been walking around our house asking what I should bring.. talking aloud to my daughter. .

perhaps she answered me.

The flight was fine. Charlotte was a total rock star. We navigated the Metro well for our first time … during rush hour no less.

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**Our final plane trip**

And I missed her like crazy. I was honestly surprised by the strength of how much I missed her. I can’t help but wonder if 4 months was too early to do this.. Everything hurts. Everything reminds me of her.

The airport security I remembered navigating massive lines alone with all 4 kids on our way home from Florida. She fell asleep in the stroller .. in her pink sweats and slipper, she had no strength to keep them on her feet anymore so she was only wearing one..

How did we not know she was already so close to dying??

They made me pick her up and carry her through the security machine. I tried to explain she was on her wish trip.. that she had a brain tumor..I was so annoyed because I knew she was so tired and I didn’t want to wake her up. I walked through security so desperately trying to remember the way she felt in my arms… the way she looked up at me .. I wish I could force memory into my arms again..

Then on the Metro in this big city… I was so prepared to go to New York to get her into a clinical trial there. We had finally found one that sounded promising.. We didn’t get the chance to go though. I thought about how it would have been to sit with her on those seats hand in hand with her. I thought about how “jealous” I am of people that got a longer time with their child in illness.. a chance to meet other cancer families.. to build those relationships and bonds. Sometimes I just want to be more a part of this community that I never wanted to be part of to begin with. Sometimes I feel like a outsider ..

Today was a mixed bag. Great weather and we hit up Tony’s place he wanted to see (Smithsonian Air and Space) and mine (Holocaust Museum). Both were fine experiences but I related everything back to her. I feel so self centered how everything I do/see/experience brings me right back to her. But I can’t seem to help it. Honestly I am not sure I want to.

I missed my boys a lot also. I thought about all the things they would like and that we should be taking vacations together as a family.. not 3 down. Charlotte misses them too. LatelyI have noticed, she looks at girls around her big sisters age and laughs and squeels in hopes to get their attention… This trip she is now doing it for little boys. Beautiful and heart breaking all in one.

Back at the hotel we let her run around in the lobby. At this age Jennifer would say HI to everybody that passed by. She was smiley and engaging … Charlotte reminds me so much of her in that way. Jennifer would have loved to hear that.. to be the one trailing her baby sister around and hearing so many strangers say how adorable she is.

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I hope it wasn’t too soon to take a trip like this.. because here we are.. I hope I can not be too bitter and angry. I hope I can make the connections with other groups I want to make.

I hope she is here with me..

with us.

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  1. yvette says:

    She’s with you Libby, she’s always with you,I wish she was physically but she’s in your heart and in your memories. Big hugs for all of you never forgotten always in my heart love4JLK.

  2. Michelle says:

    She is with you, guiding you and holding you up.

  3. Tamra Pulido says:

    Good luck! You are there for a wonderful reason! I know JLK I with you all the way!

  4. Tamra Pulido says:

    Good luck! You are there for a good reason! I know JLK is with you all the way!

  5. DD says:

    it is so awesome that you are willing to make this trip; to be the voice for other little ones and their parents. Sounds like she is there guiding all the way. You don’t want to have a reason to be there I know, but do what you are led to do. hugs and best wishes to you … and that Charlotte, what a charmer.

  6. Greta says:

    Thank you for all you do, in the name of love and to honor a little girl who will never be forgotten. You and Tony are in my prayers…I hope you feel her with you on this trip. So happy you are enjoying the sights of the city.

  7. Catherine says:

    I know she’s there, leading you, giving glittery signs, being proud of your and family….
    Smiling with baby Charlotte….
    She’s there because love never dies
    I pray for you and your sweet and brave family
    I pray so hard for more JLK glittery signs
    Lots of xxxxxxxxxxxxx from far away

  8. Emily says:

    She is there, holding you up. But don’t be afraid to let people, especially powerful people, see your pain and feel your loss. That will help make changes. Keeping you all in my prayers!

  9. Kat says:

    She is undoubtedly there with you, as we are all in spirit there with you, wishing you strength & grace to do what you have been unfairly called to do…spread the glitter. Wishing you peace today <3

  10. Jennifer says:

    I believe she led you to her backpack. Prayers for peace on your trip. Great pictures of your two girls:)

  11. Krista L says:

    I am proud of you, Libby. I do believe Jennifer is there with you and that she is so happy to see her little sister follow in her foot steps.

  12. Sarah smith says:

    Stay solid In your purpose! Everything your doing is good, and for her! Lots of love!

  13. Linda Blundo says:

    Libby, Jennifer is with you. She is with you every step of the way. Libby, you will do amazing things. We love you Libby. We love all 6 of you ♡

  14. Val says:

    I can’t add any comment that hasn’t already been said. Everyone is so proud if what you are doing and we are all praying that things change and there will be more research done on adolescent cancer. Jennifer is there in spirit to make your message strong. Go get em Libby.

  15. Kristen Tredrea says:

    I think she is. And I think she is incredibly proud of you.

  16. Corrie Reynolds says:

    Libby, you are lovely and amazing. Jennifer will be with you always and forever.

  17. Mary says:

    Your little sweet angel is trailing her baby sister around and hearing so many strangers say how adorable she is.

    Never doubt she is not you…

    Take care love and strength to you…

  18. Erika M. says:

    Proud of you. You’re doing such good things. Putting your money where your mouth is and coming all the way to D.C. to make sure other families have a better fighting chance. XXOO to you three in D.C.

  19. Lyndee says:

    I’m glad you took her backpack w you. I’m sure it was hard to leave, but I feel like she’s there guiding you on this journey. Thinking of you and sending love to all 6 of you!
    XO

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