I don't even know where to begin.... the service for Kaitlyn was perfect. Everything was perfect, just how it should be for such an amazing girl. Kaitlyn was a beautiful angel in the dress that we made for her. We used my wedding dress and created the perfect dress for her. There were light pink mini-roses and other flowers everywhere and butterflies sparkling in bouquets. There were also pink bows with mini-roses on the ends of each pew. I can't begin to thank everyone who came for the visitation and service. It meant so much to me and my family that you would come and honor our daughter with us.
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| Ribbons and flowers from the pews |
The burial was the following morning with family only. It too, was perfect. Her white casket with the beautiful flowers and butterflies shimmered and glinted in the sunlight. The day was absolutely beautiful with a big blue sky. Afterwards, we had everyone stand in a circle in the grass. We had a heart shaped basket with 3 white doves. Chip. Cole and I released them, representing Kaitlyn's spirit rising to the heavens. Cole had a big smile when they were released and the 3 doves flew by a second time before heading home. It was beautiful. It's really neat, the doves live on a farm in the area and fly back to their home when they are released. We checked and all 3 made it home safely! :-)
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| Beautiful Burial |
After the memorial service, we had asked to have the pew bows/roses lined on the fence that surrounds "Baby Land". This is a section across from where Kaitlyn is buried that is dedicated to babies who lived very, very short lives or didn't at all.
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| Baby Land fence |
On the day of the burial, the fence to "Baby Land" was lined with the pink bows and flowers, just as we had asked. After the burial service, I walked over to the area and thought it would be nice to honor all the babies by putting a pink mini-rose on each of the grave markers. We pulled the mini-roses out of the ribbons and set them out. We had the EXACT number of flowers to put on each grave. I went back and counted... 172. Coincidence? After that, I don't believe in coincidences! :-)
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| Our dapper young man! |
After the burial, we had all of the flower arrangements delivered to our house and displayed on our porch for all of our neighbors to see. They have all been so supportive and the flowers are just stunning.
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| The porch |
I always imagined that when Kaitlyn died, that I would be so overwhelmed with grief that I'd be in a looney bin... seriously. That wasn't the case though. For the past week I have been fairly okay. I think that my happiness for her to be free from her body is so much more than the sadness in my heart right now. Don't get me wrong, I've had my moments and will continue to have random times when I cry and miss her but it is completely different than what I had expected.
The hard part now is adjusting to a new life...
You are an amazing woman. Thoughts and prayers as you heal during this difficult time.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you as you and your family adjust to a "new normal"
ReplyDeleteYes it is a new life. One that takes some adjusting to. It will be a new normal.
ReplyDeleteim so glad that you can cope with this situation! You try your best to be positive and reflect on what you had your great attitude and optimism inspires me. Once again thank you for sharing your journey. Your story has made me hug my baby girl a little tighter and have so much more patience with her. As well as make me think twice before I think "I can't wait until your older or I can't wait until you do this" I cherish the little things more and for this I thank you
ReplyDeleteI, as your friend, am so proud of you,Chip, and Cole! It goes with out saying, that I am so proud of Kaitlyn! All of you are amazing to me, I stand in awe. I have learned so much, that God through all of you, has touched my soul. Sending prayers, wrapped in love, along with hugs daily. I am telling about your journey, and NPA. May our Lord hide you under the protection of his wing, and bless you and give you strength, and encouragement daily.With all my love-
ReplyDeleteYou and Chip are amazing. I am so glad to hear the service went well and that so many people showed to pay respects and support. It sounds like you are doing ok, and that is good to hear. We miss Kaitlyn, and can only imagine how much you do. She is a sweetie, and you are an inspiration and a great Mom. We send our love and prayers, and will continue to! Take care, stay strong! :-)
ReplyDeleteSuch amazing strength!!
ReplyDeleteI have been told, and believe from experience, that it takes one year--going from season to season, holiday to holiday,and only then will you realize that God has guided you and given you the strength to carry on through your period of bereavement. You will never fill the void in your heart for your loss of Kaitlyn, but I know you and Chip are an amazing couple and will lean on each other to get you through when you are most down. Forever dwell on Kaitlyn's beauty and all of the wonderful tributes you gave to her. What a wonderful celebration of life you provided for her wake, memorial, and burial! Continue "talking" on this blog---we are all here to help you through your loss. I pray that God now protects you.
ReplyDeleteHow appropriate that such an extraordinary little girl would have such extraordinary parents! Very few of us will ever forget Kaitlyn; she was our angel long before she became one.
ReplyDelete"It's like a heavy rock you carry in your pocket. The rock doesn't get lighter, you get stronger!"
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these little details with us who love Kaitlyn from a far. I wanted to be there so badly. I have personal experience with baby land. Thanks you for sharing Kaitlyn's beautiful flowers. There's God doing his work through Kaitlyn again-172 flowers--how perfect. I still can't believe how different I feel deep down inside after meeting Kaitlyn, how differently I see the world and the people in it. Your strength and courage are such an inspiration to me . You all will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to honor your sweet girl! I love that you each released white doves, such an amazing representation! I am glad you are still able to keep on writing on the blog as it seems to be therapeutic and also because so many of us feel like family and wonder constantly how you are all doing! Your whole family has touched so many of us! You have taught me to be a better person, wife, mother and even a more compassionate nurse and for that I am thankful!
ReplyDeleteYou pictures are beautiful! I do not believe in coincidences and really feel it was a sign :) my brother passed in 1995 from NPC and my mother is blessed with signs that just could not be coincidences. They truely are angels watching over our families.
ReplyDeleteKaitlyn and Cole have amazing parents! I'm so glad the service was perfect. Thank you for sharing. Truley remarkable how you had the correct number of flowers to share. Prayers are continue to be sent to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI met you at Kaitlyn's service & spoke with you briefly...you continue to blow my mind every day with how strong & beautiful you & your family are...you have touched & impacted my life in a way that I cant really put into words...Kaitlyn has been on my mind everyday for months & will be for the rest of my life...im absolutely positive I saw the shell of an angel that left her body to spread her wings!! I continue to pray for you & your family several times a day...until reading Kaitlyns Korner I have never prayed for anything...i didnt believe in God...but I think I do now...i believe Kaitlyn is in heaven running & playing...i can see her smiling & I almost hear her laughing..i think I was meant to find her...she lead me to a side of myself I didnt know was there...im a better mother & a better person...i am forever greatful for you being strong enough to share her story with the world
ReplyDeletePlease, please...keep Kaitlyn's blog going! I really do love hearing from and about you all!!!
ReplyDeleteAs Kaitlyn gave us inspiration, both you and Chip continue to do the same. God was looking for the perfect parents for such a special gift...and he choose just the right ones. Our children are never really ours, they are his. We never really know how long we have with them and pray forever for "one more day". You knew it was a short time...and you took every day and made it more then anyone could have thought of...and continue to do so. I am sure the tears flow at times, how could they not. But to be able to give this type of tribute and farewell for now...it is truly beautiful. Thank you for continuing to share your journey. It may help any of us who may someday walk in your shoes, whether unexpected or not. Bless you all.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog.. You are all truly inspiring. I am to choked up to write more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a BEAUTIFUL tribute! Thank you so much for sharing with us. We still pray for you and your family. Karrie
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way... Like i knew madeline was happy, and free... Beautiful and perfect deanna... Now we wait for the new normal where we always feel our angel but life continues to move... <3 sending love...
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing to share as we know the story does not stop here. It is a new beginning. We are praying for peace and comfort for you, Chip and family.
ReplyDeleteRegina
Your faith has shown as a bright light for all of us...beautiful in its pain and always hopeful. Thank you for being that amazing family that sheds the light for others to see. Kaitlyn I know, is so very proud of you as is the Lord..."well done, good and faithful servants"...well done!!!
ReplyDeleteSimply Beautiful! Take one day at a time and love on Cole and as the days go by you will adapt! Thank you for sharing Kaitlyn!
ReplyDeleteJanice
Thank you for sharing your story. I feel like i'm reading a nonfiction story I can't put down. Your family is very special. I feel i'm a part of your family. I laugh with you, I
ReplyDeleteI cry with you. I celebrate with you. And my heart hurts for all of you. Kaitlyn is with our Father what a joy just knowing that. I went to school with Roger and Jane being a grandparent myself my heart breaks for them also. My love goes out to all of you.
Thank you for the details. Thanks for including the flowers for the baby land. That was truly amazing. Kaitlyn is so proud of her amazing parents. I am glad you shared about how you feel. One day would love or more honored to meet you. Good bless. Thank you for being You.
ReplyDeletePenny
We have a sign at our pro-life center that reads, "Coincidence is when God works a miracle and decides to remain anonymous". Lots of miracles surround your remarkable family. Praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteI love this ~ God works in mysterious ways ~ I dont believe in coincidences either...I simply believe its the hand of God!!
Delete( Michelle Schaffer )
Absolutely breathtaking. I'll always think of her when I see pink! Precious.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did for Kaitlyn and all of those who were able to join you in her send off! I also thank you for sharing it with those of us that wish we could have been. My daughter and I looked into ordering some butterflies to releaae, but they would not get here in time. So, instead we teleased my birthday balloons for her on Monday. I figured, being an angel, she would know who and why we sent them. I love what you did in babyland, and I believe the idea came straight from Heaven! I would like to think I would be able to do those things, so unselfishly, in my time of grief. Maybe now, as the changed person Kaitlyn has made me, I could. I imagine her in that beautiful dress spinning and twirling before the other angels. Her beautiful curls bouncing around under her shining halo! I can only imagine how pretty she must be. How is Cole doing? I bet he misses her too! Again, thank you for sharing her with us, and I will continue to share her story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful ceremony for Kaitlyn! Thank you so much for sharing pictures and your story! Many thoughts and prayers to you all! You all will be forever in my heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for sharing your angel and your family! Thanks for helping my faith and makings appreciate my baby girl do much more! God bless you !
ReplyDeleteAndrea Carr
Bristol Tn
Thank you for sharing the details of the beautiful service (the eulogy was so eloquent and perfect!!) and burial (love the doves and the babyland roses!) for those of us who couldn't be there physically but were in spirit. I hope you know what a strong support system you have through this blog, even though many of us you have never met (myself included). Your family continues to be in my daily thoughts and prayers and I wish you continued peace as you adjust to your new 'norm'.
ReplyDeleteAll my love!
Mary in AZ
May our Father above continue to bless your family as you learn to live without beautiful Kaitlyn here in our world. I can just imagine all the beautiful pink flowers the Lord had waiting on her arrival!
ReplyDeletesuch beautiful flowers for such a beautiful little girl!!!! thinking of you all during this difficult time. You have such amazing strength, and I am so thankful you have shared your life and your beautiful daughter with the world. my life as well as many others will never be the same because of this website, Kaitlyn and your family have truly made an impact on this world! God bless you, Chip, Cole and your family during this time of sorrow, and know that MANY MANY people are thinking of you all and lifting you up in prayer!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! May your sweet baby girl rest in peace. Always thinking of your family and praying for comfort for the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, I love how much detail your family put in to celebrate kaitlyn's life. Job well done! I couldn't of been prettier! God bless!! - Jeanette nh
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Kaitlyn with all of us. I pray for continued healing for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to remember your daughter. Precious she was and is in the sight of God and all who loved her. I think it so special that you had your wedding dress made into a special dress for her. I followed your blogs, cried, and our family prayed for her and all of you. What an amazing testimony of faith and love you all have for God and each other. You have been an inspiration to us personally, and I thank you for sharing your story with us. Your daughter was a testimony and a witness, at such a young age. She is a beautiful angel that will always be watching over you. We will pray for God's healing in your hearts and for a peace that passeth all understanding. God bless you all in a wonderful way.
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for several months now and you inspire others to have at least a minuscule amount of courage to face whatever they are facing each day because of your strength. You will be reunited in Heaven with your precious daughter and she will be healed and happy and you will all dance with the other angels. She is looking down on you, proud of who she came from. God be with you all at this difficult time You are an inspiration to many,
ReplyDeleteStill tear up reading about your gift of decorating Baby Land. Such a beautiful tribute. Their families would be so greatful of such a sentiment.
ReplyDelete