April 1 marked two years since our angel entered and left this world. It's hard to believe it's been two years. I'm one that enjoys celebrating holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc, and one that likes to remember special days, but with something like this, I was at a loss of words for what to do. I didn't want to make a big production of the day, but I wanted to do something.
We picked up lunch from Great Harvest and met Taylor for lunch. It was nothing fancy, but we were together. We decided to take a picture of our children on the bench that Taylor got me for Mother's Day two years ago for Angelina. It is placed next to the waterfall (that we built in remembrance of Angelina, as well) and last year we had a plaque made that says "In Loving Memory of Our Angel, Angelina Joyce Housley, April 1, 2009"
I told Isaac about Angelina this year. Not like he understands or talks about it -- but at least the dialogue started. He knows he has a sister in Heaven and hearing him say "Angelina" is about the most tender thing ever.
Taylor mentioned how without everything that happened with Angelina, we wouldn't have Beau here today. So while it is a day of remembrance of the hardship we were faced with two years ago, it is also a day to be grateful for what we learned and gained. I truly believe I will have the chance to raise Angelina after our mortal journey on this earth and that gives me so much strength and hope. And I am truly grateful that we had this trial in our lives -- grateful on so many different levels; grateful to see how Taylor and I really came together during a hard time, grateful to have my faith tested and strengthened, grateful to have an angel looking over us, grateful to have a better understanding of my relationship with the Lord, grateful she was born at 20 weeks instead of 40 weeks, grateful that given what had to happen--the delivery and recovery went as smoothly as possible, etc....
April 1 was also a day that I held both Isaac and Beau a little tighter, a little closer, a little longer ... I am so grateful to be a mom to these two precious boys. So, April 1 is also a day that we count our blessings.
For Angelina's story, visit: http://www.letterstoangelina.blogspot.com/
2 comments:
Love you Val!!
The great thing about you Val, is I truly believe you learned what the Lord wanted you to learn from loosing Angelina. You have risen above something so difficult and have come out a changed woman. I am so impressed with your strength. I know the Lord is so proud of how you have handled such a hard trial. Love ya
Post a Comment