Sorry it's taken so long to post this, but I've put it off for a myriad of reasons. Writing a serious blog being the main reason. I know most of my posts have been a day in the life of our family with a few laughs and tears thrown in here and there. But as we approach August 1st, I find myself feeling generally somber and not always sure how to express what I'm feeling, much less write it down for all the blogging world to see... Let me begin by giving a quick rundown of why we went to Dearborn.
Compassionate Friends is an organization that exists to help families as they grieve the loss of a child. Every year they have two national events. The first is their candle light service, which we participated in this December. The second is the national conference and Walk to Remember. Each year it's held in a different city and just so happened to be in Dearborn this year. Anyone who has lost a child can participate in the conference or take part in the walk.
On Saturday afternoon, the whole family (Bucks, Grates, G&G Syswerda, G&G Buck and Geoffrey) met up at the hotel. We started the afternoon by letting the kids swim for a while. Of course I neglected to take one picture of Emmy swimming for the first time without the help of her swimmies... Then it was out for pizza in downtown Dearborn- can't remember the name of the restaurant but it was fabulous. After dinner it was back to the hotel to celebrate Zoe Marie's 3rd!! birthday. There was boundless noise, chaos and general pandemonium as 14 of us were packed like sardines in my parents hotel room. But, celebrating her birthday was a glimmer of true joy in the midst of much sadness. After cake and ice cream, my mom brought out the t-shirts. The organization provided Walk to Remember t-shirts for the adults, but not for the kids. Not wanting them to be left out, my mom bought each child a plain t-shirt and things they could put on them. It's funny how something so small can mean so much to them. It gave them each a chance to really focus their grief in a good way and they were also able to spend some time talking about Ava and some of their memories of her. After finishing up the t-shirts it was off to bed so we could all be up at the crack of dawn to walk 2.2 miles!
I will post all the pictures of our walk tomorrow as once again it's almost midnight (why do I do this to myself???)
12 comments:
Holly I just have to say that I'm praying for you guys and I love you all:)
Looks like Zoe had a great birthday! That organization is a great way to remember loved ones together and to be with people who have experienced similar loss. Ava will never be forgotten.
you are so blessed with your family! Love you all! Amanda
I know these next few weeks will be really tough for all of you. Your all in my consant thoughts and prayers.
I know these next few weeks will be really tough for all of you. Your all in my consant thoughts and prayers.
The kids are huge. I think it looks like Elijah is ready to drive. Man oh man.
Hey Hol...got your message on our blog and I have to say that every time you & Shelly have held Lauren, it only makes me think of little Ava too...thanks for being so brave and for being such an awesome friend by wanting to be apart of Lauren's life by simply holding her... I love you both!
Loving all the pictures....but geeze, could those kids just stop growing and stay the same for a minute....lol. They're GORGEOUS children :)
Just wanted to say that we still think of Ava and pray for you all so very often...especially over the next few days.
Loving you all in this memory of sorrow. We lift you all up in prayer as we remember the beautiful Baby Ava. Continue to minister to God's children through Greenhouse with love and compassion.
Just wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you today, hoping that you can feel the loving arms of Jesus around you.
just wanted to let you know I stopped by.
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