I am in a phase where looking at Jennifer’s pictures I start to smile.. it starts to fill me me warmth like the one above.. how happy and confident she looked. I remember taking that picture and lamenting with my dear friend how quickly it would be real that our two girls would be driving off together.. And that it would look just like that.. but those memories then immediately freeze me up. Because I remember she still could be here but isn’t. Somehow lately looking at her pictures is such a stark reminder of how much has changed while she is stopped in time.. locked in memories and photographs. I think its because I am noticing the changes in all of our living kids lately. .. noticing the change in my own growing belly.
We took the kids to our local amusement park this weekend. .. I woke up not even realizing it was the 12th but knowing I wanted to do something fun for the kids.. to make it a great day. They have lost so much. It’s so much more than just their big sister.. its me too. I am now a working mom now … and a broken hearted mom too. They donate their mommy to Unraveling kids cancer every single day. So I wanted Sunday to be theirs..
It was the first time it was good for Tony, but it was pretty hard for me. Jonathan was able to do much he couldn’t do before.. the things she was able to do when she was 5… driving in the car.. and going on the roller coaster with Daddy. But she wasn’t there to watch him.. to do it with him..
We did a 4 seater boat ride. Boys in one and girls in the other. Her absence reverberated through me. I felt it bouncing all around inside of me. I tried to appreciate the blue eyed beauty sitting across from me.. but I couldn’t help but stare at the empty seat in between us.. That should have been filled with my brown eyed girl. ..
I couldn’t even fully give them one day.
Its been 14 months now since I touched her or held her. 14 months without my daughter. Long enough to know that those days and months will just keep rolling along.. But short enough to still hope they won’t. That somehow this isn’t real.
jennifer
i love you.
…until there is a cure..
Libby, You write the most heart felt and compelling posts. Jennifer Lynn is just precious. She truly was your Little Earth Angel even before she left this world. So very precious. God Bless.
She was in that pink boat with you, just in a different way..
Sending you all so much love.
sending hugs, love and prayers.
Sending lots of love, lots of hugs. Saying her name every day.
Oh my goodness, Charlotte is getting so big and beautiful, haven’t seen her for a while!!!!! A bundle of cuteness!!!
Oh Libby. My heart aches for you. We love you all so much. Jennifer will always be with you. ♡♡♡♡♡♡ My love to you all.
Charlotte is such a cutie! She seems to have quite the personality. Can’t wait to read all about her as she grows. 🙂
Oh Charlotte is getting so big! Jennifer would be so proud of her! Hugs to you and yours!
<3JENNIFER<3
Always thinking of you and your family….and Jennifer. <3 <3 <3
The last picture is one of my favorite ones of Jennifer. I remember that expression so well. Still hurts so much. I’m sorry. I love you, all.
G. G. is such an extraordinary place, and so many memories reside there. I think it’s a very powerful place for all the haunting happinesses that have been experienced there. I love the peaceful boat ride best and its contemplative nature. Part of Jennifer is lodged there in the collective memory.