Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Lots happening!





Wow.  We've had a lot going on the past week.  Last Wednesday, the girls and I attended a Proclamation at the State Capitol to recognize the month of April as Military Child Month in Nebraska.  Well, Julia was surprised when a limo came to our house to pick us up and take us to the Capitol!  She has always wanted to ride in a limo so the American Legion riders made this happen for her.  I had to laugh to myself when I was in the limo.  Never did I think I would be riding in a limo with 2 children in carseats!  When we arrived at the Capitol, the American Legion Riders were waiting for us and lined up on the sidewalk as we walked into the building.  After the proclamation, we got back into the limo and headed to Chuck E Cheese with the Riders escorting us!  Since my mom and sister in law had never been in a limo, they and my niece joined us for the ride.  The little girls were so excited all the way there.  Once we arrived at Chuck E Cheeses, the Riders were waiting for us and Chuck E himself came out and greeted the girls as they got out of the limo.  They then presented us with giftcards, stuffed bunnies and food and tokens for Chuck E's.  It was an absolutely amazing day that will never be forgotten.  Julia had an extra bounce her in step the rest of the day.  People are so kind.  They have been more generous to the girls and I than I ever would have expected or imagined!!!  Here is a link to the article that was written about that day in the Lincoln Journal Star:
http://journalstar.com/articles/2009/04/09/news/local/doc49dd25662dcc2634444514.txt

Then we had a nice Easter Weekend at my parents' house.  Saturday we decorated Easter eggs.  Of course Julia had a blast and Eva tried to be quick and "decorate" herself!!  Sunday we had a small gathering which was perfect and of course the annual Gissler Easter Egg hunt.  We did have a moment when Julia was upset that she didn't find the "Golden Egg".  I feel bad because I didn't catch on, but it was later discovered that Julia was sad because her dad should have been here to help her find the egg.  Bless her heart.  Holidays are hard.  Baby steps, right......

Yesterday was an extremely emotional day for me.  I attended a funeral in Kansas for the infant daughter of our good friends.  This was not unexpected, but it still doesn't make it any easier.  Again, the question "why" always comes to mind but you just have to have Faith.  This was the first funeral I attended since Rob's.  It was extremely hard but there is no way I wouldn't be there.  These friends have been amazing to me and were extremely close to Rob and I.  It seems like so much sadness has happened to our small circle of friends.  We have a bond that will never be separated.  I have absolutely no doubt that Rob is cradling baby Emma in his arms right now and will watch over her until her parents meet her again.  Please keep them in your prayers.  My heart aches for them because I literally know the emotional rollercoaster ride they are on.  

10 comments:

Liz said...

Another update in tears...first at the beautiful poem. Wow. Then at your friend's heartbreak. I am so very sorry. You remain in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you had fun in the limo :) Looks like a great time for the girls :)

Toni....hanging-on-mom said...

Dena,

Thanks for sharing you and your beautiful girls lives with all of us....

I can not imagine all the conflicting feelings you expierence not only each day, but especially during special occations.

From your writings and pictures, it appears you are doing far better than I would be doing. I know this is not a fate you have chosen, but it is one you are walking through bravely, and honestly.......allowing yourself to feel and grieve....

I hope you are proud of yourself, because this military wife and mom thinks your amazing!!

Please keep taking those baby steps and know there are 100's of strangers praying for you and your darling girls daily!!

joyce said...

Beautiful! Wonderful pictures! Thank you so much for sharing.

Heather said...

Dena!
Wow - what an awesome story of the Proclamation and limo ride! You all look fabulous and it sounds like the day was amazing! I am so glad they are honoring you and Rob's memory by doing this proclamation. The picture of the 2carseats is too precious for words.

The pictures from Easter are gorgeous too! You have 2 beautiful angels with you, that is for sure.

As for your friends, they, along with you and your family will remain in my heart and in my prayers. Losing a child is my worst nightmare. Share the bond you hold with them. You are right, Rob is the best surrogate daddy little Emma could ask for. He'll keep her safe and warm until her mommy and daddy can hold her again.

Thank you so much for your always present strength and honesty. I love checking this site! God Bless you all!

Heather in Helena, MT

Household6 said...

Julia is so stinkin' cute w/curly hair! Love it! Glad you guys were loved all over!

So good to keep hearing how things are going!

Heather

Carol said...

Hi Dena, thanks for sharing. You all look so cute. It looks like yo all had lots of from in your limo ride. My prayers are still with you and the girls and I'll also keep your friends family in my prayers also.
Carol

Nancy Christian said...

I'll light a candle for baby Emma. It leaves me with a warm heart to know that there are people like you out there that loves so deeply and sincerely. You teach all of us military wives to not sweat the small stuff and to hold on tight to the ones we love.

You all looked beautiful in the pictures by the way!

Shari said...

Dena: Your pictures are so cute and it looks like you had a lot of fun in the Limo! I am sure the girls thought it was amazing!!! Funny thing from these pictures I can tell that you live about a block from me!! I was going to e-mail you from your blog but I couldn't find an email address. I came across your blog long ago when articles were first in the Journal Star. I think you are an amazing person and are doing a wonderful job with the girls.

Anonymous said...

Dena,

I had posted this at the time of Rob's death, but I don't think I posted it under the appropriate blog entry. I don't know if you ever saw it. Do you know of the Christian rock band, Superchick? Their song, Beauty From Pain, makes me think of you. It's a beautiful song that I would encourage you to hear and I send it out to you as a prayer:

"Beauty From Pain"

The lights go out all around me
One last candle to keep out the night
And then the darkness surrounds me
I know I'm alive but i feel like I've died
And all that's left is to accept that it's over
My dreams ran like sand through the fists that I made
I try to keep warm but I just grow colder
I feel like I'm slipping away

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today,
Someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

My whole world is the pain inside me
The best I can do is just get through the day
When life before is only a memory
I'll wonder why God lets me walk through this place
And though I can't understand why this happened
I know that I will when I look back someday
And see how you've brought beauty from ashes
And made me as gold purified through these flames

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today,
Someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

Here I am, at the end of me
Tryin' to hold to what I can't see
I forgot how to hope
This night's been so long
I cling to Your promise
There will be a dawn

After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today,
Someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain

Nancy said...

Such a sweet thought about Emma and Rob being together. I'm teary eyed...