“If you know someone who has lost a child, and you’re afraid to mention them because you think you might make them sad by reminding them that they died — you’re not reminding them. They didn’t forget they died. What you’re reminding them of is that you remembered that they lived, and that is a great gift.”
–Elizabeth Edwards
I came across this quote on facebook a couple of days ago. I read it, and it so clearly expresses how I feel. I LOVE hearing Hannah’s name. I LOVE when people say things like “Oh, Hannah would have loved this” or “Remember when Hannah would ….”
We had an Easter picnic with family today at the park. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and it was fun getting Ethan and Abby together there with their cousins.
My in-laws had all the eggs ready to be found including special eggs with each of the kids’ names on them. Just a little something specifically for them that the Easter Bunny brought. Most of the other eggs are filled with treats and toys.
When the kids were out searching out eggs, I heard Abby say “Oh, there is an egg here for Hannah!” She was so excited! When we opened it up, it was a cute little Minnie Mouse.
I LOVE that my in-laws still include Hannah in all the holidays. Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and now Easter…Hannah always had something special there and has always been included even though she is no longer with us. It really means so much to me that she is still an active part of their thoughts. I know they loved her tremendously. No doubt about that. I just appreciate them so much for loving Hannah so much to keep her spirit alive in all the family holidays.
After the picnic, we went to the cemetery to give Hannah her new Minnie Mouse. We also found two dyed Easter Eggs that I have no clue where they came from, but I LOVE the fact someone thought about her enough to bring her two eggs.
It just really grabs my heart when I see someone want to remember Hannah. Some people in my life feel that we should just “move on” and “start a new chapter,” and what they don’t realize is that there is no new chapter that will not include Hannah.
Hannah may not be with us physically anymore, but the amount of my heart that she has captured is immense. My biggest fear has always been that people will forget about her or choose not to recognize that I have two daughters, three children.
When I see others want to include her even though she has passed, it just means so, so, so much.
LOVE THAT QUOTE! Sent it to my friend who lost an older daughter not too long ago.
I am sure you know that many people think of Hannah often… including me too!
By often I don’t mean just when we open up our emails and read ” Little Miss Hannah.”
Anyway… Happy Easter to your entire family, Hannah included of course!
I sat next to a woman in the waiting room of the colonoscopy clinic yesterday who was originally from Chicago. The topic of conversation was colonoscopies as she and I and another woman visited, but it didn’t take her long to tell us that she’d lost a son several years ago to Muscular Distrophy. Obviously his memory is with her all the time. While I cannot imagine her sadness or yours, somehow it seems so affirming of the lives of your children, and so affirming of the great bond of love you all had. I think there is healing power in their names and in the memories you treasure and share.
Carolyn (in Las Vegas)