Thank You, One Year Later
From time to time, I go through Anne Marie's box. I look at her pink dress and hospital things. And I read through her funeral guest book and through the many cards we received. I reread each heartfelt, personal note and remember again how truly thankful I am for the love and prayers of so many -- many we know and many we don't know. I remember the meals that were delivered to us in Dallas and the groceries that were stocked in our kitchen when we returned home. I remember the goodie baskets filled to the brim with things for all of us -- gifts of love sent long distance just when we needed it. I remember the gifts sent to our kids to show them they weren't forgotten, and the good friends who opened their arms and homes to them. And I remember so many e-mails, Facebook messages, text messages, and cards telling us of the many thoughts and prayers for Anne Marie.
I remember a conversation I had with one of Anne Marie's doctors. He was explaining how being in the hospital for so long and how the sudden changes in Anne Marie and the delicacy of her condition could be so stressful, and that situations like this can take "quite a toll on a family." But he said, "You all seem to be handling it remarkably well." I told him that yes, there were times it was hard, but that we didn't feel the "heaviness" of it. I told him how supportive our family was and how we had many, many people praying for us. So now, a year later, I say thank you again. Thank you for your love and prayers for our family. I won't ever forget.
And thank you also for the love and prayers sent our way for Anne Marie's first birthday. I was once again humbled by the e-mails, text messages, and cards sent remembering Anne Marie. Thank you for remembering.
And thank you for the special things sent to us lately.
I will always treasure this album. My dad made it for me and brought it to me on Anne Marie's birthday:
In it are all the posts we have written about Anne Marie. I sat up one evening and read through the whole thing. Her story all in one pink book:
I remember a conversation I had with one of Anne Marie's doctors. He was explaining how being in the hospital for so long and how the sudden changes in Anne Marie and the delicacy of her condition could be so stressful, and that situations like this can take "quite a toll on a family." But he said, "You all seem to be handling it remarkably well." I told him that yes, there were times it was hard, but that we didn't feel the "heaviness" of it. I told him how supportive our family was and how we had many, many people praying for us. So now, a year later, I say thank you again. Thank you for your love and prayers for our family. I won't ever forget.
And thank you also for the love and prayers sent our way for Anne Marie's first birthday. I was once again humbled by the e-mails, text messages, and cards sent remembering Anne Marie. Thank you for remembering.
And thank you for the special things sent to us lately.
I will always treasure this album. My dad made it for me and brought it to me on Anne Marie's birthday:
In it are all the posts we have written about Anne Marie. I sat up one evening and read through the whole thing. Her story all in one pink book:
