Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Five Days

It's been five days since Bri left this earth. Five days of serious ups and downs, crying, smiling, remembering and being grateful. We miss her so darn much and our hearts are aching. Ashley had to go back to school today, God bless her because it must have been very hard. We love you so much and can't imagine being a teenager experiencing this kind of pain.

As I said in my last post, some friends gave us tickets to Cirque du Soleil for last Saturday night. As it was getting time to leave for the show, we both agreed that we would rather stay home but in our hearts we knew we needed to get out. So we went. The show was awesome, there are no words to describe it, it's simply an amazing one hour and 40 minutes of mouth gaping entertainment. But still, we really weren't there. We were watching yet completely numb at the same time. Cried all the way home.

Brianna said hello to me first thing Sunday morning when I was out with our crazy puppy dog, Belina, by showing up disguised as a lady bug....landed right on my sleeve. We miss her so very much. Going to church on Sunday was a great feeling. Our church family has been and continues to be very supportive. Thank you to our family, friends and church family for being there for us Sunday. It made all the difference in the world.

Monday morning we decided to get up and get out again....maybe go kayaking for a couple of hours instead of sitting home being surrounded by so many memories. We went and it was a nice day.

Lots of things to be done this week, the kind of things you don't want to do so it is easy to procrastinate, but we're getting through it, little by little.

Mama Kathy stopped by a little while ago and we started looking at pictures and videos that I recently downloaded onto my computer. Can't wait to edit and post some of them. The memories had us smiling, not crying...that's a good thing.

Memorial Service planned for Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, Downtown Orlando
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to "Heart of the City / Brianna Gives Hope", 106 East Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801.

To see the notice in the paper, visit Orlando Sentinel.com, obituaries for Sunday, Sept. 6th.

Ashley and Brianna at 8 days old


Brenda and Brianna at 2 months old


Daddy-O and Brianna at 3 months old

8 comments:

  1. Brenda,

    I wish I could give you a great big hug. I know it is a time of one foot in front of the other; a sleep-walking-type feeling.

    It is wonderful to hear that you received a sign from Brianna. Keep looking for them; I believe they will always be given to you.

    Thank you for posting the amazingly beautiful photos of Brianna. So gorgeous.

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  2. Brenda -
    I keep reading the wonderful comments from your friends and family. What an impact little Brianna and you have had on so many people. It is hard to find the right words...I can't stop thinking about you and your family. I am so so sorry. It is so hard to imagine the loss of one of my children so I cannot imagine the sorrow and pain that you have experienced these last 5 days. My heart hurts for you but at the same time swells when I know she has brought so much joy to you. I love you so much girl and would squeeze you through this screen if i could. Kristi

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  3. Thank you for taking out Bri's photos and sharing them with us. Showing us that you choose to celebrate her life at a time when it's most difficult to. I too have been counting the days...i can't imagine how long each day and the coming ones must feel. I am so glad for the sign of Bri you received. Here, we believe too, that people revisit in the form of butterflies to the house. hoping for more signs from Bri to help in your grieving.

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  4. ah!!! i just have to say...ladybugs are how Cana says hi to me too!!! not that many of us moms now have butterflies or ladybugs, but still!!!
    i hadn't seen one in years..then this year, one lands on me about once a week..seriously! I even found one still alive in my organic lettuce!
    is taht weird to share right now? i found we have to find the beautiful in the mundane...even a head of lettuce that was in my fridge for 3 days.

    i love you!
    i hope you find lots of lady bugs in the coming days. better yet..i pray they find YOU!

    still here. still blessed by bri.
    muah from houston!

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  5. Brenda and Jerry,
    Kim and I were a thousand miles away from Orlando when we heard that God had called Brianna home. The distance does not soften the heartache that we have and we wish that we were near you both and Ashley during this most difficult time.

    God blessed me with the unexpected short visit I had with Brianna and Brenda just prior to my leaving and I will always be so greatful for that.

    I just gained access to a computer and have read your latest postings and have learned of Brianna's memorial. Kim and I will be boarding our flight back home to Orlando Saturday shortly after the start of Brianna's memorial and we regret that we will not be there with you. Please know that we will have you and your family in our thoughts and our spirit will be with you.

    May God continue to bless you.

    With much love,
    Roger and Kim Cox

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  6. We love you!! My heart is aching for you and your family... ~Tina

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  7. I am so impressed by the way you are dealing with your grief, and giving yourself little breaks from it from time to time - how very wise and sensible of you.

    Thinking of you and praying for you so much just now.

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  8. May God continue to hold you in the palm of His hand and comfort you in the homegoing of your beautiful, baby girl. My prayers are with you.
    C. Edwards

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