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

Welcome to the Unravel Blog

First 4th

July 5, 2014

**I tried to publish this earlier today but it didn’t go through**

The 4th has proven to be the hardest holiday yet for all of us.

Nicholas woke up in a foul mood.. only wanting mommy and he has stayed that way until right now.. up from his nap playing with Daddy while I write.

Driving to my brothers house I was already back and forth in tears.. The moment we parked “A thousand years“came on the radio.. and in that moment I came undone.

Tony wanted too also.. but he felt like he needed to be the strong one for me. That ended up with him having some high frustration. On the drive home we talked a lot about that snapshot in time of our day.. Trading off weak moments used to be an unwritten rule for us. But now its not. Now we have to be able to function during our weak times… and we can each lean in .. support and be supported. Harder than it sounds… a work in progress for us.

The strength in which sorrow has hit both of is surprising .. and scary .. Because we know we have some major holidays to hurdle coming…But we have to let it out.. because no matter what.. days like today it is going to come out. In sadness or anger. ..Neither a desired emotion to be expending in public. I know its easier for Tony.. for all men I am sure… to go the ragey place.. I think if it worked and really helped him we might even be ok with it..but most of the time it just doesn’t and the pain underneath needs to be released.

It is so hard to see my husband cry. To know the depths of his despair and that there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it.

I do think it was good that we went through this today.. so we could talk and prepare.. and do our best to rewrite 10+yrs of habit in our relationship.

DSC_0129Before Jonathan got out of the car he asked if I needed a hug.. I did. And I told him to have a ton of fun today. He did. We walked in the parade… its a mile or so long and all the kids that want to can be in it.. walking and riding bikes. He had his scooter. He worked so hard at it. A misunderstanding happened at one point and he got his feelings hurt.. not a lot.. but he couldn’t contain his tears. It seems emotions are on the surface for all of us right now. He got it together and we finished the parade.

They have firefighters there that spray water to cool off the crowd of kids and parents. Jennifer used to love going that part. I regretfully have to admit I never went with her. I wanted to.. I always said next year.. Too bad I didn’t know 365 days ago would be our last 4th..

It triggered something for Jonathan too. Standing there he grabbed my legs and told me he missed sissy. I got on my knees and hugged him and cried.. ( a whole lot more than him) . But he seemed to need that moment. He asked if he could stand with me and Daddy together. . so we walked over to Tony. After a minute with us both he was recharged and then just wanted his cousin. Exactly the way it should be for a 4yr old on the 4th.

** Took a picture to remind myself .. he got 2 licorice on our walk and he saved one for his big brother.. just because he knew Jonthan would want one**

** Took a picture to remind myself how he got 2 licorice on our walk and he saved one for his big brother.. just because he knew Jonthan would want one**

**dirty face from a day full of tantrums on the ground**

**Nicholas’ dirty face from a day full of tantrums on the ground**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I say my brothers but actually its 2 of them, they live across the street from each other. .. So one house had a massive water slide. I couldn’t help but imagine Jennifer on it. How she would have been excited.. but then not wanted to go on it.. She would have. .maybe with a bigger cousin then she would have loved it.

Jonathan surprised us by going down early on.. he was not a fan! He came up to me holding his necklace and and talked about how she was with him. He is incredible the things he says.. and I feel so privileged I get to be the one he shares with.

Later on in the day though he went for it again.. and again.. and again.  Jennifer used to be the one that would stay with my parents (they also live in Gilroy) when we took other kids home for a rest. But today it was Jonathan. I came home and started baking like I always do… and I decided to make our dessert gluten free. Standing there baking with our 2 littlest asleep and our 2 biggest out of view.. I realized I felt like I was waiting for both of them to come home.. I had to ready myself for the door opening and only one pair of feet coming in.

**she would have been so proud of him!**

**she would have been so proud of him!**

Driving home we talked about last year .. or maybe it was the year before actually..that she was going to stay with my parents but we went back to say goodbye one last time before heading home.  And then she was torn . She couldn’t decide if she wanted to stay or come with us. She got really upset and was crying.. She ended up coming with us.. Tony said “what it if was the tumor?” Looking back now I think it was 2 yrs ago… but that doesn’t really matter .. what matters is how we always look back.. Wonder if we missed signs.. wonder what it all felt like for our 5 yr old as this killer was growing inside her head..

… wonder what could have happened if we found the tumor sooner.

CSC_0801

We talked with Jonathan how he had gotten his feelings hurt while we were gone.. and how he could best deal with it. Tony and I both feel so angry when he gets his feelings hurt. I can’t pinpoint it exactly. I am not sure if its because we want so desperately to be able to protect him now..  or if it brings up our feelings of failure as Jennifer’s parents. But we both feel a gut level fierceness for our kids that is so different from the way we used to be.. in the before time like I explained here. It helps in a way to know Tony is changed in this way too. Helps me not feel so strange.

We are so aware of the empty space today.. we are feeling her absence all around us. A unseen pressure from all sides..

We will have dinner and head back to San Jose to do dessert and sparklers and my sisters house. Jonathan and I made a video of Jennifer. I am hoping to post it later tonight with the help of my niece/nephews.. We wanted it to be just the 4th.. but she didn’t live enough Julys.. I didn’t take enough pictures to fill up a whole video. .  I yearn for these ten minutes when we are together to bring her back. To do more than say her name… to see her face.. her smile..

to remember.

DSC_0071

  1. Andrea says:

    Thinking of you and your precious angel Jennifer..

  2. Melissa says:

    Thought about you many times today Libby. Went to watch fireworks and at the very moment they let off a red heart (wish it were pink) a mom yelled “Jennifer”….took my breath away for a moment. Then I got tearful. My husband didn’t even ask why. He already knew. Thinking about you daily Libby. ..praying for you always….

  3. Krista L says:

    I don’t know how you do it. I pray for strength and peace for you daily. I go about my day, most times going crazy from Kids and then something stops me and I think about JLK (like heart shaped smoke clouds from fireworks) and I am sad and thankful and…sad. Hugs to all 6 of you.

  4. Charla says:

    {{{HUGS}}}

  5. Lisa Jack says:

    So so many prayers & love sent daily. My heart aches for all 6 of you. I am grateful your kids have you as their parents. ..you are aware of their needs & do your very best to meet them, and help them understand what they are dealing with.

  6. Linda Blundo says:

    Just so much love ♡ to you all Libby.

  7. Ashley says:

    <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

  8. yvette says:

    Big hugs for you today and everyday, and love and memories live on forever and never forgotten of sweet Angel Jennifer Lynn Kranz.

  9. Rachel bissell says:

    Many many hugs being sent your way!
    You are a strong woman and I admire you for your strength.
    Praying for you daily.

  10. Loris Ayoub says:

    There is so little I could say… I pray you can find peace.

  11. Rhonda says:

    As I was listening to my 8 year old niece talk today I found my attention wandering to other happenings In the yard. I thought about you Libby and how you would give your own life to be able to see JLK and hear her talk about anything. I focused completely on my niece until she was finished, staying in the moment, treasuring this time with her. Your sharing Jennifer with us has made me more aware of what is important. Praying for you everyday and holding you up. You are Tony are great parents and I’m sure one day when Jennifer wraps her arms around your neck, she will tell you so.

  12. Jennifer says:

    Absolutely unbelievable that you were even able to join the parade…You and Tony are amazing parents:). I pray each night to God and to your sweet angel to give you strength each day.

  13. Kristen Tredrea says:

    Love and prayers as always Libby. You are one amazing woman.

  14. Erika M says:

    Holidays are so hard, so many expectations, and now there’s a completely different hurdle to overcome. I wish she had had many, many more Julys.

  15. Jenn says:

    So proud of you guys. I know this is hell but you are doing a great job with the kids and your/their grief. I’m just in awe. I’m sorry it was a hard day but I think even in the grief she wanted you to remember her on the 4th… But she wanted you to be happy and it sounds like there had been a few moments at least where you did and it wasn’t too painful.

  16. Lyndee says:

    Thinking of all 6 of you. Sending lots of prayers and hugs!! XO

  17. Nichole says:

    Also thinking of all 6 of you, you all are never far from my thoughts and prayers. <3

  18. Crystal says:

    Hi Libby,
    Still thinking about you and your family! The tumor is never found early enough so there is no way to know how fast it grows, don’t question yourself. Your a mom, Tony is a dad that love and cherish each other and their children. Bad things happen, and sometimes no matter how many people are rooting for you, or how many prayers are sent up, the home team loses. Jennifer is very special, as she was yesterday, and as she will be tomorrow. She is not gone, she won’t ever be gone. You know she is there with you, you have seen it, and you know you can still feel the glitter. Much like glitter, the love, awareness, and hope your family has created will never disappear. One holiday gone but Jennifer will always be celebrating with you, keep the videos coming and tell Jonathan we appreciate him sharing his big sister, and his big smile with us.

  19. Sarah smith says:

    The “firsts” are the absolute hardest! Doing things for her or because if her will not only help you heal but it will help your family heal too. Lots if love…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join our Newsletter

submit

Contact

Fluttering

Unravel Team

Get Involved

Upcoming Events

links

Stay Connected

follow on instagram @unravelcancer

follow us on facebook 

© 2024 Unravel Pediatric Cancer, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 46-5720960

Join our Newsletter

Contact

Fluttering

Unravel Team

Get Involved

Upcoming Events

links

Stay Connected

follow on instagram @unravelcancer

follow us on facebook 

Thanks for joining the unravel newsletter!