Behind

Ever have one of those weekends where you haven't even started activities yet and you are already feeling behind schedule?

That would be today for me.

Wish me luck!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the road rise to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your field's.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Home For Hazel

Hazel' s dancing shoes
The dress that made for Hazel to wear
After the memorial.
Top row: Brockden, Nikki, Grandpa Forsberg (Jim), Jamie, Me, Grandpa Reed (Tom), Aunt Amy (Grandma Forsberg's sister)
Bottom row: Grandma Forsberg (Robin), Kirstin, Travis, Grandma Reed (Cherie)
Me and my girls.
Nikki, Jamie, Mama, Kirstin, Me

A Bit Of Advice

When you are traveling across the country it is way more fun if you take your sister along. Seriously, it is. Here are just a few reasons why.

1. She helps you kill time by taking lots of pictures with you before the plane even takes off.

2. When you are done taking picture, she continues.

3. When she finally stops being narcissistic and falls asleep on the 45 year old man next to her you wish you would have kept the camera out.

4. The two of you get a good chuckle listening to a women break up with her boyfriend in the ladies room in Philly. To quote her exactly "When I say there is no you and me, there is NO you and me!" Now repeat that about 20x's and you get the gist of it.

5. She buys you Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. Mmmmmmm.....why do we not have Dunkin' Donuts where we live. Anyone? It's a crime and I want answers.
6. She takes more pictures with you even though you have both been up for over 24 hours.
7. She forgets her glasses on the total opposite side of the airport right before boarding which causes you to have to do a song and dance for U.S. airways just to stall.
8. You love listening to her talk to our ma on the phone in code. "Guess where the people sitting next to us are from Ma? I'll give you a hint. Jesus is from there."
9. It is nice to use her as a pillow.

10. It's just nice to have her along.

Love you Jamjam.

Duck Pond

Hazel now rests by a duck pond. And because she is her mother's daughter I know she loves it. I know this because Kirstin loves animals. Because Hazel is her father's daughter I know we probably should have left behind a fishing pole so when he visits he can fish that duck pond. It is, under their circumstance, a perfect place for them to come and visit. The duck pond is one that we grew up visiting. On nice days our mom would bring us over and we would feed the geese and ducks and roll down the hills. It's beautiful there.

Yesterday was hard and it hurt. Yesterday was a day that no one should ever have to experience. But we did and we are okay. Kirstin and Travis are okay. Grandma and Grandpa's Reed and Forsberg are okay. It's going to take time and we will take as much as we need.

When Hazel's mother says her name it is said with reverence. The tone in Kirstin's voice is soft, sweet and loving. Hazel is such a lucky girl to have a mother who despite all odds knew her daughter well enough to know she deserved her shot at this life because she was going to teach everyone something very important. She is lucky to have a father who was able to bless, teach and serve her.

Hazel may now rest by a duck pond but she also rests in my heart.

Be Still My Soul

Yesterday was amazing. We knew that we had hundreds, if not thousands, of people pulling for our sweet Hazel and her parents but to see so many of you actually at the church yesterday evening was overwhelming. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Hazel's memorial was perfect. The message was clear. She came, she saw, she conquered! And she only needed 7 simple days to do it. Does it hurt that 7 days was all she needed? Of course! I would be lying if I said different-but I KNOW that's all my sweet niece needed. Her life was a blessing not only to Kirstin and Travis but to her grandparents, aunties and uncles, cousins, doctors and nurses and many, many others. Her 7 days were filled with love, awe and numerous miracles. What a gift.

Kirstin did great yesterday. It was a long day for her and we all worried that her body would get tired too soon but because of all the prayers and thoughts she was able to talk with all and make it comfortably through the service. Again, another miracle.

To all those who came unexpectedly from our childhood (Hawaii counts as childhood, right Winter?), it was so great to see you. I can't tell you how many times yesterday silly little Mallowhill and St. Catherine's memories came popping into my head.

To all Kirstin and Travis' coworkers. You being there meant the world to them. They love you and they love their jobs. Thank you for being their everyday support system and their everyday fun. They are so lucky to have you.

Ludlow ward.....what do we say? The food was wonderful, the building looked beautiful and you being there was a blessing. Thank you for your hard work all day yesterday.

Today we rest sweet Hazel by a duck pond. Another hard day but I know it will be another one full of miracles.

Today

It is going to be long.

It is going to be emotional.

It is going to be draining.

It is going to be full of reflection.

It is going to be a chance to embrace those we love.

It is going to be a teaching tool.

It is going to be a celebration of the most precious week any little girl has lived.

Today is going to be another opportunity to surround Kirstin and Travis with strength and love.

Today day is a day to celebrate Miracles.

Today we celebrate Hazel!

Reminder:3:30-5pm Condolences. 5-6pm Memorial @ 584 West Street in Ludlow. Please join us.

Pain

(To those hopping from Kirstin's blog-I will post this there after the memorial. I want to make sure that information stays the top post for now)

Kirstin has been in some severe pain since I have been here and the doctors don't know what it is. At first we thought it was her kidney's. Kirstin has a group of us standing by just to hand over one of our healthy kidneys just to help her feel better but thus far the doctors think we are jumping the gun. What do they know? Horrible lower back pain=bad kidney's=quick surgical fix, right? Maybe not. But if that was our answer I (and half of America) would donate.

Last night Kirs went in for a VT scan to check her lungs for blood clots. We are so grateful there are no clots showing on the scan. While we were not hoping for them, if that was her issue at least it could have been cared for.

So we are asking for another miracle. Tomorrow is Hazelbaby's memorial. We want Kirstin there and feeling well enough to enjoy the celebration of sweet Hazel's memorable life. She needs to be able to sit without pain. She needs to be able to communicate without physical discomfort. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. So far every prayer, positive thought and expression of love you have displayed has carried her.

We need you again. Love to all.