October 30th a year ago, was unequivocally the hardest day I have ever experienced in my 32 years of life.
It was the day Hope graduated mortal life.
Some people have been calling it her anniversary today, and I like that.
At 9:30 this morning I heard a knock on the door and dear Emma, a friend in our ward, came with comforting, kind words and a potted pink Gerbera daisy plant.
Later I went over to Carina's, who lifted my spirits with her cheer and life-loving children.
Two weeks ago, one of the sisters in our ward handed me a card. I opened it at home. It said:
Caeli,
Until you get your children's book published and are able to dedicate it to your dear Hope, this will have to do.
Enclosed is a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Please purchase a book (or books) and made a donation to the Walpole Library in memory of Hope. Carla Dean--the children's librarian--will be happy to accept any book(s) of your choosing. She will place a template in the book(s) in the inside cover with Hope's name on it.
We know you're away from home and family right now, we hope this way you may have a monument to Hope close by.
We are thinking of you this month and we sure love you!
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| Tyler picked out this book to donate to the Walpole Library. |
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| This is the one I picked out. It's about a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. |
The incredible thing to me is, the friend who gave it to me also has a daughter in heaven who went there in October.
Throughout the month, people have enquired as to how we are doing and I have gotten phone calls and texts today from family far and near.
And this is what I think:
How can we possibly fall, when there are so many hands holding us tight?
Love, C