We are home & Eulogy
Hi Everyone,
Ian and I have returned from Jamaica. Jumped on a plane Saturday morning after Grace's service on Friday. Tried our best to recoup a bit. I'm not sure how successful we were. First week we slept a ton, second week insomnia set in. Ian started working out (sometimes twice a day) to exhaust his body enough to find sleep, I medicated my self. Ian's probably picked the healthier option, but who's concerned about health? A positive from losing a child... you no long fear death. I look forward to being reunited with my sweet angel. Obviously I have to work on healthier thoughts... I'll put it on my list for tomorrow.
Ian did such a wonderful job with his eulogy. For those of you who were unable to attend Grace's service I thought I'd attach it here. How my hubby finds his strength is a mystery. But thank god for Ian... I'm not sure how I'd do this without him. Here are his words:
2 years, 7 months, 1 day and 6 hours. A blink in time. Then like The Cat In The Hat, you were gone in a flash. Still Mama & Dada love you and hug you and kiss you every day. You touched the heart and soul of every single person you met. In your special way you taught us how to grasp the beauty of each day.
For 16 months you so bravely battled the cancer monster with a feisty spirit, that beautiful smile and a pair of ebony eyes. Your only weapons were pink blankie, Cat and Stickers, stickers and more stickers. We love you Lady.
Grace met Wailana and took much comfort in all that they had in common.
Wailana the Waterbug woke up each day,
To be with her friends, to go out and play.
She dove and she swam with a smile on her face,
What fun she would have in this wonderful place.
Swimming about, she would bubble with glee
Oh, how she loved all the sights she would see
Wherever she swam, a rainbow would follow -
Past reeds, over rocks and through logs that were hollow.
A parade! A parade with Wailana up front,
Riding a snail as the tadpoles did stunts.
With a jump and a splash, frogs quickly rushed in
They loved the parade and watched on with a grin.
What a joy to be seen, all the cheers and the smiles,
Waterbugs followed the parade on for miles.
All through the Winter,Spring, Summer and Fall
Wailana's parade would bring laughter to all!
Along with her friends, she would practice each day
Perfecting her dance for the water ballet.
With a leap and a spin, she heard cheers from the crowd
Her parents just gleamed and they felt very proud.
Then, one rainy day, she awoke felling blue,
How her stomach had ached and all her joints too.
Family and friends came from far and wide
To gather around her and be by her side.
The elders would whisper and bow down their heads.
They knew what would happen and started to dread.
Wailana was calm and didn't feel fear.
She wasn't afraid because love was so near.
Stories were shared from long, long ago,
About others who changed and then had to go.
After leaving the pond, they would head for the sky,
While all understood, they could not explain why.
Unable to play, she would rest everyday
Her friends gathered near her and started to pray
"Wailana, please join us and lead the parade."
But Wailana now knew that her time would soon fade.
Surrounded by loved ones, it soon was the day
To say her good-byes and be on her way.
Wailana was sad but she knew in her heart
The time had now come for her new life to start.
Later that night by the light of the moon
She prepared for the change that would take place soon.
When all of a sudden, wings magically grew,
Reflecting the moon beams that shone brightly through.
A rainbow of colors danced in the light,
She never had seen such a glorious sight!
Then turning around, she let out a giggle
While making her dragon fly tail start to wiggle!
She flapped her new wings, testing them out,
Then found herself quickly floating about.
Flying higher and higher, she looked down below,
At her lily pad home and called out "Hello."
Feeling much better, she soon learned to soar,
Over rainbows, through forests she soon would explore.
Her sadness was gone, she no longer felt blue,
She soon again found all the joy she once knew.
Now a beautiful dragonfly high up above,
Wailana would watch over those that she loved.
What fun she now had, through clouds she would fly,
Leading parades with her friends in the sky.
(Wailana the Waterbug - Story by Greg Barrett & Jane Hopkins)
Ian and I read this story to Grace constantly in her final weeks/days/hours with us here on earth. At first we did not think it was necessary to explain "things" to her because of her young age but we quickly came to learn that she was wise beyond her years and yearned to understand what was happening to her body. One of her final verbal requests was to hear this story read to her.
Mama misses you baby.
L~
Ian and I have returned from Jamaica. Jumped on a plane Saturday morning after Grace's service on Friday. Tried our best to recoup a bit. I'm not sure how successful we were. First week we slept a ton, second week insomnia set in. Ian started working out (sometimes twice a day) to exhaust his body enough to find sleep, I medicated my self. Ian's probably picked the healthier option, but who's concerned about health? A positive from losing a child... you no long fear death. I look forward to being reunited with my sweet angel. Obviously I have to work on healthier thoughts... I'll put it on my list for tomorrow.
Ian did such a wonderful job with his eulogy. For those of you who were unable to attend Grace's service I thought I'd attach it here. How my hubby finds his strength is a mystery. But thank god for Ian... I'm not sure how I'd do this without him. Here are his words:
2 years, 7 months, 1 day and 6 hours. A blink in time. Then like The Cat In The Hat, you were gone in a flash. Still Mama & Dada love you and hug you and kiss you every day. You touched the heart and soul of every single person you met. In your special way you taught us how to grasp the beauty of each day.
For 16 months you so bravely battled the cancer monster with a feisty spirit, that beautiful smile and a pair of ebony eyes. Your only weapons were pink blankie, Cat and Stickers, stickers and more stickers. We love you Lady.
Grace met Wailana and took much comfort in all that they had in common.
Wailana the Waterbug woke up each day,
To be with her friends, to go out and play.
She dove and she swam with a smile on her face,
What fun she would have in this wonderful place.
Swimming about, she would bubble with glee
Oh, how she loved all the sights she would see
Wherever she swam, a rainbow would follow -
Past reeds, over rocks and through logs that were hollow.
A parade! A parade with Wailana up front,
Riding a snail as the tadpoles did stunts.
With a jump and a splash, frogs quickly rushed in
They loved the parade and watched on with a grin.
What a joy to be seen, all the cheers and the smiles,
Waterbugs followed the parade on for miles.
All through the Winter,Spring, Summer and Fall
Wailana's parade would bring laughter to all!
Along with her friends, she would practice each day
Perfecting her dance for the water ballet.
With a leap and a spin, she heard cheers from the crowd
Her parents just gleamed and they felt very proud.
Then, one rainy day, she awoke felling blue,
How her stomach had ached and all her joints too.
Family and friends came from far and wide
To gather around her and be by her side.
The elders would whisper and bow down their heads.
They knew what would happen and started to dread.
Wailana was calm and didn't feel fear.
She wasn't afraid because love was so near.
Stories were shared from long, long ago,
About others who changed and then had to go.
After leaving the pond, they would head for the sky,
While all understood, they could not explain why.
Unable to play, she would rest everyday
Her friends gathered near her and started to pray
"Wailana, please join us and lead the parade."
But Wailana now knew that her time would soon fade.
Surrounded by loved ones, it soon was the day
To say her good-byes and be on her way.
Wailana was sad but she knew in her heart
The time had now come for her new life to start.
Later that night by the light of the moon
She prepared for the change that would take place soon.
When all of a sudden, wings magically grew,
Reflecting the moon beams that shone brightly through.
A rainbow of colors danced in the light,
She never had seen such a glorious sight!
Then turning around, she let out a giggle
While making her dragon fly tail start to wiggle!
She flapped her new wings, testing them out,
Then found herself quickly floating about.
Flying higher and higher, she looked down below,
At her lily pad home and called out "Hello."
Feeling much better, she soon learned to soar,
Over rainbows, through forests she soon would explore.
Her sadness was gone, she no longer felt blue,
She soon again found all the joy she once knew.
Now a beautiful dragonfly high up above,
Wailana would watch over those that she loved.
What fun she now had, through clouds she would fly,
Leading parades with her friends in the sky.
(Wailana the Waterbug - Story by Greg Barrett & Jane Hopkins)
Ian and I read this story to Grace constantly in her final weeks/days/hours with us here on earth. At first we did not think it was necessary to explain "things" to her because of her young age but we quickly came to learn that she was wise beyond her years and yearned to understand what was happening to her body. One of her final verbal requests was to hear this story read to her.
Mama misses you baby.
L~
posted by Lesley at 12:31 a.m.
2 Comments:
Lesley,
Your journal entries are so powerful. My eyes fill with tears as I read what you post wishing that there was something I could do to lessen the pain that you and Ian are experiencing. I think of you and Ian every single day. Keep your head up and know that you are in everyone's prayers. You are blessed to have such a special angel watching over you.
Tracy D.
Lesley, Thank you so much for continuing to share your story. I was so grateful to be able to read Ian's eulogy, as I was not able to attend the celebration of Grace's life. Your honesty and strenght astonishes me and humbles me - thank you. Cathy Marostica
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