It is amazing to think that almost 3 years ago, Kaitlyn was about to be brought into this world.
Doesn't seem like a long time, 3 years, for everything that we have been through, but the time we had with her seems longer than just 2 years and 8 1/2 months. She has taught us so much and made such an impact on others' lives that it blows my mind that she was able to do this is such a short amount of time. What an amazing daughter.
I didn't realize just how difficult this weekend will probably be until I was at the grocery store the other night. I've always known that it would be difficult but you truly don't know how you will feel until time actually comes. I was headed over to pick out some flowers for Kaitlyn and walked by some birthday cards and almost lost it. It came out of no where and hit me in the heart and gut at the same time.
There is a type of mourning and grief associated with birthdays that I never truly understood until now. Yes- it is a celebration of her life and the most perfect day that she came into this world. But the other piece is that knowing how happy we were to have her here, all the dreams we had for her, just as you would for any newborn child... would not come true for her in the same way.
I know that she is in a much better place and I am hoping that I can focus on that this weekend as we head into her "heavenly" birthday celebration on Sunday, July 1st.
There will be a butterfly release at Kaitlyn's grave site, which all are welcome to come. Please wear something comfortable- it's supposed to be 104 degrees on Sunday!
Here are the details for those who would like to come.
There will be a butterfly release for what would have been Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday this Sunday, July 1st, 2012 at 3:00pm graveside at Forest Lawn East Cemetery - 3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Matthews, NC. Please feel free to join us in memory and celebration of her life.
After entering the the cemetery make the first left and then the first right and you will see a gathering near her grave.
Also, if you live out of town and want to do something in memory of Kaitlyn, we would love to see more beautiful bows on mailboxes again (a huge thank you to those of you who still have them up!) or for you to wear your NNPDF Persevere T-shirt (some of my NPD friends, family and supporters have them) or think about her and share her story with someone else.
Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. It's only Friday and it's already been difficult just thinking about it. I'm sure the butterfly release will be beautiful and uplifting. Hopefully we will be able to capture some pictures or set up the video camera so we can share the special moment with everyone.
Thank you for the continued love and support!
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| The night before Kaitlyn was born! |
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| All swaddled up at the hospital after she was born! |
I didn't realize just how difficult this weekend will probably be until I was at the grocery store the other night. I've always known that it would be difficult but you truly don't know how you will feel until time actually comes. I was headed over to pick out some flowers for Kaitlyn and walked by some birthday cards and almost lost it. It came out of no where and hit me in the heart and gut at the same time.
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| Kaitlyn's 1st Birthday Party! |
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| Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday Party! |
I know that she is in a much better place and I am hoping that I can focus on that this weekend as we head into her "heavenly" birthday celebration on Sunday, July 1st.
There will be a butterfly release at Kaitlyn's grave site, which all are welcome to come. Please wear something comfortable- it's supposed to be 104 degrees on Sunday!
Here are the details for those who would like to come.
There will be a butterfly release for what would have been Kaitlyn's 3rd birthday this Sunday, July 1st, 2012 at 3:00pm graveside at Forest Lawn East Cemetery - 3700 Forest Lawn Drive, Matthews, NC. Please feel free to join us in memory and celebration of her life.
After entering the the cemetery make the first left and then the first right and you will see a gathering near her grave.
Also, if you live out of town and want to do something in memory of Kaitlyn, we would love to see more beautiful bows on mailboxes again (a huge thank you to those of you who still have them up!) or for you to wear your NNPDF Persevere T-shirt (some of my NPD friends, family and supporters have them) or think about her and share her story with someone else.
Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. It's only Friday and it's already been difficult just thinking about it. I'm sure the butterfly release will be beautiful and uplifting. Hopefully we will be able to capture some pictures or set up the video camera so we can share the special moment with everyone.
Thank you for the continued love and support!
