Hannah will be laid to rest in her dress she wore for her third birthday party, and she will be bringing her Minnie Mouse with her
Hannah’s service is just 4 days away. Seems like it is so far away, but it has given us time to get everything ready.
We met with the funeral director yesterday to go over the final arrangements, choosing flowers and balloons (for the balloon release graveside), verifying our arrangement decisions, deciding on the poem for the memory program. The hardest part was “reconfirming” our choice of our final resting place for Hannah. The kids were with us during this long process, and even though it was hard on them to see where she was going to be laid to rest, it was also good because when it comes time for the service, they will already know what is going to happen.
We took the kids to the mall today to get their outfits for the service. Ethan and Daddy have their Mickey Mouse ties already, so we just got Ethan a nice button-down red shirt and slacks. He also was excited because he got a nice new pair of dress shoes to go with it!
Abby really wanted to wear something Minnie Mouse, but she only had T-shirts, so we went to the Disney Store last night to find a cute Minnie type of dress. But they didn’t have anything that would work, so today she ended up with this cute “blingy” pink dress with scattered sequins with white tights and her first pair of black pumps. She looks so dang adorable! To make her outfit more Minnie, she is going to wear some of her pins from Disney World.
Daddy already had his slacks and blazer picked out, and I found an outfit tonight. I broke my “no black” rule because I ended up getting a black skirt to go with this blingy pink blouse (that matches Abby’s dress). Tomorrow I will go get shoes to match as well.
I realized that we really don’t have a lot of ‘nice’ clothes anymore, everything we own is casual! So it was a nice treat to be able to get everyone (except Daddy) something a bit dressy and new to wear since Sunday is such a special, special occasion.
We also have the picture framed and ready that we are going to use for the service, picked up the Mickey and Minnie mylars they are going to use to in the chapel, and I’m almost done getting the memory cards ready.
We also hired someone to do the memorium video for the service. I tried to do it. It was just too hard. Eventually I will want to do a real video tribute, but I want to do it at a time when everything is not so fresh and there is not a time crunch. I saw the rough draft of it tonight, and the guy creating it really is doing a good job. But I have to admit that watching the rough drafts (all 4 times for different changes) was so incredibly hard.
We have a meeting with the Rabbi tomorrow afternoon to go over the service, and then we have our final wrap-up meeting with the funeral director on Friday morning when we have to turn everything over that we want to use for the service.
I did better today when we kept doing things, running errands, etc. It is times like now, when I stop, that everything just hits me. I just want to crawl under the covers and cry because I think about what the meaning of Sunday’s service is for … to bury my little girl.
I keep saying it is a “celebration,” and we are treating the service as a celebration. But like how a rose by any other name is still a rose, Sunday is the funeral for my Hannah. No upbeat words really are going to change that.
I’m praying for God to comfort you and your family. I can’t begin to imagine the pain you have had. You guys have been such a blessing to so many families.
Carrie,
You don’t know me. I heard about you through the blog called Connor’s Song.
Jessie is the daughter in law of a friend of mine here in Texas.
Since then I have read your blog daily. I just want you to know that I am praying for you and for your sweet family. I lost a little niece in 1976 to lieukemia and though we only had her for 6 short years, her life impacted my life so much. I know it will be that way with your sweet daughter. God will use her life and yours to bless many, many others. We still don’t understand, but can only trust God in his loving wisdom.
It is a funeral….no geting around that. However, you are paying such tribute to the joy and color and spirit that define Hannah! Olivia and I will be wearing my pink in honor on Sunday as well. Much love.
I heard of your website through a friend of mine. I just wanted to say that I’m very sorry for your loss. I too lost a child recently. I lost my son at 9:05am on Sunday October 30th of this year. He had Niemann-Pick Type C Disease. Your daughter now has her angel wings. I seen pictures of her here on your website and she’s beautiful. We sent Spongebob with our son. Take time to grieve. Although our children’s deaths were expected, it’s still hard. My heart goes out to you.
It’s good that you were able to bring the kids along for the preparations. That should give them one less thing to worry about. I agree with Mel — there’s no way to get around the fact that it’s a funeral. But everything you have prepared sounds like a wonderful tribute to your special little girl. I’ll be there in spirit as well.
Dear Carrie, I am very sorry for your loss. Hannah was a very special little lady, as are you for all that you have done for her and will continue to do. One day, I will be able to tell Maya about Hannah and her fight. But for now, Hannah lives on in Las Vegas in her eyes.
As I read the first few sentences of this post, I decided I cannot go on. It is hard as a fellow mom who has a child with a terminal disease to even think about this day you are preparing for. I am saddened by the loss of Hannah and all the hurt your other children are also enduring. Maya’s grandmother and caregiver, whom you also met at our aquatic therapy visits, are also sending their prayers to you and your family. Take care Carrie. We will be sending a donation in Hannah’s name in lieu of flowers as you have requested.
Sapna
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and following Little Miss Hannah journey and I know no words will be able to comfort you and your family for the loss of your little one. Just know that you gave her so much love and she loved you right back. So sorry for your loss and though I know this is a very painful time for you, I thank you for sharing your life and Hannah’s with us.
Hey im so sorry for your lost. 🙁 i have been praying for her and your family for weeks on ends now. I am doing a project on Gaucher Diesase for my bio class and i am dedicating it to her. My she rest in peace and she has realy touch my heart.
I wish I could be there for you but remember my mind and my heart on Sunday will be devoted to you and Hannah. I will weare my brown (I am sorry ) blouse with Minnie and I will dress my kids with Minnie and Mickey outfits. My friend you prepare everything as Hannah would like. Much love and hugs to all of you.
I first learned of your story on The Dis and I have been following your blog since you returned from WDW. My daughters have been following along with me and have often asked how Hannah was doing as if they know her personally. Hannah’s life has already impacted so many people from so many different places and I know it will continue to do so. Your plans for Sundays service sound beautiful.. My daughters read the first post about it with me. Minnie is my younger daughters favorite as well and she asked if we could wear Minnie stuff to church on Sunday to honor Hannah. So even though we have never met you we will be wearing our Minnie clothing Sunday and I will use any questions or comments we get to tell people about Hannah and Gaucher’s Disease and the new foundation you are starting for Hannah’s legacy. We will be praying for peace for you and your family.
My prayers are still with you. You are so thoughtful to have such special plans for Hannah. I didn’t have time to think of preparing things for my daughter’s funeral, and I wish I’d have had a picture of the multitude of lovely flowers so I’d have that to reflect upon. You are going to have fond memories of her “celebration”.
Blessings,
Ginger