Tag Archives: dancing

A letter to my little girl

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Dear Savannah Kate:

Hey Katydid!  It has been a while since I had a chance to write specifically to you.  Just because I don’t write or talk about you, Timothy, and Noah as much as Reed, Sawyer, Erin or Cloie doesn’t mean that I love you any less.  In fact, there are some days that I just plain miss the things that I never got to experience with the babies I carried, but did not hold.

I wanted to write to you because this past weekend I missed you so much that my heart literally ached.  Your oldest cousin, Derek, got married to the love of his life, Jeannette.  When it was time for family pictures, one was taken with the cousins, I had to step away.  Daddy saw me sobbing, and he didn’t have to ask.  He just knew that it was because in my imagination I could picture all seven of my children posing (okay, most likely hamming it up) in that picture.

Katydid, your twin sister was the flower girl.  She looked adorable in her dress, but it was her bouncing curls that had me mesmerized.  I often wonder how similar the two of you would be.  Does your hair curl just like hers? Or do you have red curls like your namesake while Cloie has dark curls like hers? Do you love superheroes and fighting evil villains just like she does?  Would you giggle the same or be as mischievous?  Do you sing as beautifully?  (On that last one, I use my dreams to believe you sparkle and shine in the heavenly chorus.) 

At the wedding reception and dance, the broken places in my heart received some patching as all of us in Daddy’s family pitched in to work, but more importantly to love together.  Simply put, we had fun. Once the dance started, I had to stifle my giggles watching those bouncy curls as Cloie spun, twirled, and shimmied. The best was the ballroom dancing that she and Kimberly performed complete with big finishes at the end of the song.  All the while those curls bounced, I kept thinking what the two of you would be like together.

I don’t really care what other people say because I genuinely miss you.  Tonight is the night that we get to remember you and the boys.  Last year, I asked the other kids if they enjoy going to the October 15th candlelight remembrance or if it was a chore to them.  Their response made me cry.  Not only because it was sweet and humble, but more so that they “got it”.  Their unified response was summed up by Sawyer.  “Mom, we all have birthdays and other special holidays just for us kids.  This is the one day a year that we have special for Noah, Tim, and Savannah; so, no it isn’t a chore, but more so an honor to remember our siblings this day each year.”

So tonight, Katydid, for the annual October 15th National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Candlelight Remembrance we will be lighting candles in memory of you three babies.  Even though we never met you, you and the boys made a difference in this world . . . even if that difference was to change our hearts so that we could help others.

I love you always, sweet girl, and someday in Heaven, I can’t wait to hold you.

Love, Momma

Note: For more information on today, please visit www.october15th.com

My family and I will be remembering at a special service hosted annually at our church.  Please contact me, if you would like more information.

14 days to go: If you need a laugh

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I’ve always said that Reed came into the world looking like a little old man.  He continued carrying an old soul inside a youthful body his whole life.  We have a picture of him in bib overalls and a denim fisherman’s hat when he was about 3 or 4 months old.  Other than his size, you would have thought he was ready for the retirement center.

Despite his little old guy appearance, it was a face that this momma loved.  He was always wise beyond his years and was comfortable conversing with anyone.  One of the sweetest compliments we received at his memorial service was from a grandpa of one of his friends that said, “Reed was over at our house, and we had an hour long conversation.  I couldn’t believe that a 12-year-old could keep up with an old guy like me, but he did.”  It made us smile.  Old soul – youthful body.

One thing about people who possess an old spirit is that they recognize when someone else is hurting.  The response to that hurt is as diverse as the 96 crayon box of Crayola’s.  For my little old man, his responses ranged from a tender hand holding to giant bear hugs.  Yet, his favorite method of comforting others was to make you laugh.  Often it was laugh until you cried tears of joy.

When you needed a laugh, he was always there with some kind of humor.  Different than his brother who does great stand-up, Reed’s humor often involved slapstick routines.  Think 3 Stooges and early Chevy Chase work.  When he first saw “Grandpa”, the Six Flags character that danced, imitation became a sincere form of flattery.  Reed didn’t mind when told him that he resembled that character, in fact, it only encouraged him to learn his “routine” even more.

I could be having the worse day ever, and Reed would clear a space on the floor.  The next thing I would hear is, “Hey Mom!”  When I looked up, the “dance” was on.  It was always an instant mood lifter.  As a people, we are good at laughing at ourselves.  It was no different for Reed.  When the “performance” ended, Reed would laugh as hard as the rest of us.  The dance never got old.  It became one of those beloved favorites like a much loved blanket or pair of shoes.  Snuggly comfort – that created that warm fuzzy feeling inside.

It amazes me that Reed’s Run has always been a instrument for reaching out with our faith and for fundraising.  However, I think that God meant it for a different purpose for our family.

Psalm 30:11 You have turned my sorrow into dancing. 

Laughing as he would have wanted us to do, we will never be as good a dancers as Reed, but we will definitely laugh while trying. So if you ever need a laugh, just picture Reed doing the old man dance. Trust me, laughter is certainly good for your soul!