Flowers for Lilly's grave

Today marks exactly one month since Jesus called Lilly home. Oh how we miss her! We are so blessed to be surrounded by pictures of her. Though I admit, sometimes it crosses my mind, that if we pack all Lilly things away, then maybe we won't miss her so much. But of course that wouldn't really be true.

Yesterday we visited Lilly's grave and took some beautiful artificial flowers to leave there, along with a little cherub statute I had bought at Joann Fabrics. I wrote a little message to Lilly on the cherub's wings and we all signed it.

Last Tuesday, the kids and I went to our local florist, Flowers on Main Street, and put in an order for something with red, white, and blue flowers to honor our Little Firecracker. Donna, the shop's owner, came out from the back to see us and recognized my daughter T. (T. and my mom had gone there to order Lilly's casket spray.) She gave T. a hug and asked how we were doing. Then she kindly told T. to pick a flower out to take home for free. T. choose a starfighter lily. I gave Donna a picture of Lilly's casket with the flowers on it and one of Lilly's "business cards" I made, and a thank you note for the beautiful spray.

When we went back Friday to pick up the flowers, I was so very pleased. They were beautiful and the arrangement even better than what I had imagined. Then I was stunned when Donna told me that there would be no charge for the flowers! How kind is that?! The "Lilly blessings" never cease! I just can't express how touched I was. (I had been ready to pay $55-$65 for the flowers.) If you live in our area, then I definitely recommend Flowers on Main Street! (In the old Varina section of Fuquay-Varina.) Such a compassionate store owner, beautiful flowers, and a really really neat shop!

One of the Trisomy 18 mamas I am in touch with is the mama of sweet little Hannah Grace. Hannah Grace lived about 2 months and sadly passed away last winter. (I say "sad" - sad for her family, but so wonderful for Hannah to be in heaven now!) Her mama's latest blogpost shows a number of things that the family made to remember Hannah. I think the shadow boxes especially are fantastic! Check them out on Hannah's blog here. My daughter T. and I both feel that doing projects like this to preserve memories is very very therapeutic.

Finally, if you would please pray for Lilly's little friend Faith. Faith is in the hospital, with the nasty RSV virus and also has the H flu. She had to be put on the ventilator. Faith and her family had just recently got back from a trip to Florida through Rainbow Connection (like Make A Wish Foundation). I guess Faith had thought that a trip to the hospital would be more exciting than going home! These kids definitely keep ya on your toes!

Today my family finished reading Lost in Death Valley: The True Story of Four Families in California's Gold Rush by Connie Goldsmith. It was a fascinating account and full of diary excerpts from some of the survivors. One of the women that survived, had been pregnant during the agonizing struggle to get out of Death Valley. When she finally gave birth, her baby girl lived only 19 days. This poem is carved onto the baby's headstone:

A little time on earth she spent

'Till God for her his angel sent

And then on time she closed her eyes

To wake in glory in the skies.

Amen. This beautiful poem is perfect for some many of the sweet little children with Trisomy 18.

We love you our Lilly angel!