We're on our way to Chicago today... leaving in a few hours. We pick up my parents at the airport at 3:30 and then check into our hotel. We have to be at O'Hare at 4 AM tomorrow morning. Ugh. That is so freaking early! I THINK I read in the travel catalog that there … Continue reading On Our Way
Jasmine
Happy Birthday, Jeff!
Today is Jeff's 35th birthday. Happy birthday to you, honey. No, you're not 26, and frankly, I'm glad! 😉 If you would like to email Jeff a birthday greeting, his address is javias@verizon.net. Last night he asked what kind of card Jasmine would have gotten him. I think I will go to the store and … Continue reading Happy Birthday, Jeff!
Resolutions for Bereaved Parents
This is from a grieving parents email list I've joined. I like it. Resolutions for Bereaved Parents * I will grieve as much and for as long as I need, determining my own time-table. * I will grieve the way that suits me best, and I will express my feelings the way I choose. * … Continue reading Resolutions for Bereaved Parents
Rated R for Language
We spent the afternoon getting Gabrielle's room ready for new furniture. I haven't spent too much time in there because it still looks like Jasmine will stroll in at any minute and complain about Gabrielle wearing her clothes. And she would complain, because that seems to be Gab's favorite thing these days -- Jasmine's clothes. … Continue reading Rated R for Language
Anger
There is a place that I am afraid to go and that place is anger. I am angry that I wasn't able to be with Jasmine the day they intubated her. I don't know what difference it would have made because I felt at the time she was still going to be okay, but it … Continue reading Anger
Everywhere
Jasmine is everywhere. There are photos in every room of this house. Drawings, notes, art projects. Her room is as she left it, more or less. I think this is why it's so hard to really feel that she's gone. It seems like she's going to wander into the living room any minute, chewing on … Continue reading Everywhere
Gab’s Journey
Jasmine and Gabrielle's room is a mess, too full of stuff and furniture that sadly needs to be upgraded. We had started this process before Jasmine died and the girls had been looking forward to new beds, dressers and desks. Now finishing the process is all weird because we don't want Gabrielle to feel like … Continue reading Gab’s Journey
3 of Swords
So many of you have encouraged me not to censor myself here and I really appreciate that. I cannot think of a time in my life when I have felt so ripped open and raw. I guess that's logical and when I write it, I have a moment of "duh-ness" but it still surprises me … Continue reading 3 of Swords
Oceans
Last night, an ocean of tears. I'm not sure exactly why so much, but it started when I found Jasmine's birth certificate while looking for Jeff and Gabrielle's. We have to have them to go to Jamaica. I pulled the two folded-up pieces of paper out of the filing cabinet and the first one fell … Continue reading Oceans
Hole Not Whole
Wide open hole Gaping, bloody Not whole Try to push it closed Seal it, erase it Pull the edges close A body torn asunder A member missing The ache of phantom pain Wide open whole Healing, itching Hole