Daddy and I decided that we needed to make Hannah’s final arrangements sooner than later. It was a lesson that I learned from Cooper’s mom, seeing what a difference it was for their family having everything done so they didn’t have to add that stress when Cooper lost his battle with Mito disease. It just made sense to us.
Coming to the decision of where to bury Hannah was so terribly hard for me and I struggled with it tremendously. My great-grandparents and grand parents are all buried in a Jewish cemetery in Los Angeles, which is also where the rest of my family will be when the time comes. I always thought that is where I would be someday too.
But we are in Las Vegas now, and this is our home. This is where Daddy, Ethan, Abby, Hannah, and I live. And I want to be able to visit Hannah whenever I wanted to, and I want Ethan and Abby to be able to visit Hannah whenever they wanted to. So I had to resign myself to not burying her with the rest of my family.
So we are going later on today to meet with the King David Cemetery director to find out what decisions we have to make in order to get this put in place. It was very important for me to have Hannah buried in a Jewish cemetery, and Daddy felt strongly about doing this as well.
After reading the email from the director outlining briefly what is involved, my chest started hurting. These are not the decisions I ever wanted to make for anyone, especially my child.
I glanced briefly at the “Funeral Price List for Children,” and ugh, it just got me how business-like it all is. I know, it is a business, and I’m sure they will handle everything with thought and care, but just seeing the listing was painful. It reminded me of a menu of items, like “choose from the following”…
But it needs to be done. Whether we will need it in a few days, a few weeks, or god-willing many months down the road, I just don’t want to have to think about starting to make these arrangements.
Hi Carrie, so sorry you even hve to go through this..you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers…
A wretched position to be in. Just a thought, cremation? Keep her ashes with you? So sad.
It is a hard thing to have to face with your little Hannah… I’m glad that you are making the arrangements now so that when she goes home, you will be able to focus on the time at hand…. I’m glad there is Jewish cemetery where you are at so that you might be comforted…and someday if you move back to family… things can be arranged to keep Hannah close. I’m sorry you are having to make these decision…I wish that no parent had to face this, but know that the God is with you and will give you the strength moment by moment to do this. Take care and remember that prayers are being lifted to the Lord for you and your family.
my heart goes out to you and Robert for this difficult decision. my thoughts are with you today
My heart is aching for you. Sending you love.
I told you the other day that it hurts my heart to know that you will sit and make those decisions today…I agonize for you and I wish that I could carry that pain for you. Tim and I are praying that God will just hold you in the palm of His hand and cover you with peace. Much love
Much love to you and yours, Carrie. Holding you in my heart and praying every day.
((hugs))
I am so Sorry for you guys. My prayers and love to you all. 🙁
Larry
Hello,
I just heard about Hannah through Tony via Channeling Erik.
http://www.channelingerik.com/channeling-jimi-hendrix-part-four/
I just want to say Hannah is so beautiful. I cant imagine what you must be going through today, my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Su
Much love and big hugs for my Ostreas! Continually praying for God’s peace in your hearts 🙂
Thinking of you Carrie Freedman Ostrea and praying for your whole family. I really wish there was something I could do for you. I can’t stop thinking about you all. Hugs.
I admire you more every day. You all are in my thoughts and prayers on a constant basis.
I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you. Similar to how you talked about taking your friend’s advice about making funeral arrangements in advance, you sharing this with all of us on your blog is very helpful to me (and I am sure other parents) who may have to make these decisions and choices themselves someday. I hope the tone of that comes across as gratitude that you continue to give of yourself at this time. I can’t seem to express it how I am intending. You and your entire family are so incredibly loved and special. I hope Hannah has a good day today!
Carrie Bobby,
My heart is just breaking for you both , I can just imagine how difficult and painful this must be for you all. God I pray that I could just take away all this pain from you and pray for a miracle that this could just go away. My heart goes out to you all and my prayers continue for you everyday that God will help you all to be strong at this very difficult time.
In our thoughts always and we love you.
Susan
You guys are all in my thoughts and prayers…
<3 so sorry this is happening. I want to take it from you. I wish I could help.
I cannot imagine the things you are going through right now. I can only pray for peace and comfort for Hannah and for peace as you and the rest of your family make this final journey.
One thing the hospice people told us is to talk to the person when ever you are around. Even though they are in a sedated place, the hearing function is the strongest of the body systems. No matter how many times you have said you love her, say it again. She will cross this plane of existence into heaven knowing how special she was and how loved she was.
This is one of my favorite Psalms. I look to in times of need.
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
from where will my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time on and for evermore.
and this one
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;*
3 he restores my soul.*
He leads me in right paths*
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,*
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely* goodness and mercy* shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.*
May G-d keep you.
I am so sorry any parent has to go through this. <3<3<3