Today I went to Hermitage to say goodbye to Savannah Swandal ... her service was just beautiful. Robin, her mother, shared some wonderful memories, as did her father and grandfather. Her stepdad read a heartfelt poem that he wrote at 3:00 this morning...
I've been to a lot of funerals, or celebrations of life, for children in the last 4 years... too many. I hate cancer. I don't understand it. After watching my own little girl get so sick, and fearing for her life, and then seeing that fear become reality for so many of our friends, I am just left to question why? I saw this beautiful, vibrant 11 year old girl lying in a casket today... I watched her amazing mother who was so strong. I'm so proud to call her my friend. Today she was surrounded by friends and family, but tomorrow, she has to wake up and begin her new normal. Her life without her daughter. And it's not fair. I hate cancer.
When I used to write on Kennedy's carepage while she was in treatment, I ended each post with something I was thankful for... I stole that idea from Charlie's mom, Kim. Savannah's mom Robin shared today that she ended each night by tucking her little girl in and thanking her for something that she did that day... usually something small, but just something... to let her know how thankful she was for her. I think I will now steal that from her. Tonight I am thankful for Savannah... and the hundreds of lives that she has touched in her 11 years. I am thankful that I am one of those lives. I am thankful for her smile. And now I will go tuck each of my children into their beds and thank them all for something they did today. Somehow I don't think it will be very hard to do.
I've been to a lot of funerals, or celebrations of life, for children in the last 4 years... too many. I hate cancer. I don't understand it. After watching my own little girl get so sick, and fearing for her life, and then seeing that fear become reality for so many of our friends, I am just left to question why? I saw this beautiful, vibrant 11 year old girl lying in a casket today... I watched her amazing mother who was so strong. I'm so proud to call her my friend. Today she was surrounded by friends and family, but tomorrow, she has to wake up and begin her new normal. Her life without her daughter. And it's not fair. I hate cancer.
When I used to write on Kennedy's carepage while she was in treatment, I ended each post with something I was thankful for... I stole that idea from Charlie's mom, Kim. Savannah's mom Robin shared today that she ended each night by tucking her little girl in and thanking her for something that she did that day... usually something small, but just something... to let her know how thankful she was for her. I think I will now steal that from her. Tonight I am thankful for Savannah... and the hundreds of lives that she has touched in her 11 years. I am thankful that I am one of those lives. I am thankful for her smile. And now I will go tuck each of my children into their beds and thank them all for something they did today. Somehow I don't think it will be very hard to do.
Cancer sucks.