14th Post

The following weeks and months that followed the funeral were hard. I remember some things very vividly and others are very patchy. I do know that I was shown more love than I ever imagined could be given. My boys were doing okay, Chase was living in a different city with his wife, so I don't know how well he coped at that time. Stefan however, was with me, and he was struggling. I didn't think he would be able to finish his senior year. Chase started a new job the following Monday after the services, and he just pushed right through. I worry about him, he carried us all and never really has had a chance to grieve. Stefan went through a very hard time, he quit going to school...didn't finish his 1st semester and didn't even go his 2nd semester. But, after Christmas, I sat him down and told him that life can't stop when bad things happen. We went and talked with his counselor, Mr. Sears, and he was so incredible, he had so much empathy and helped Stefan work out a schedule that let him finish his senior year. That is what I mean about the love that was shown our family, it was incredible. Chase of course had Brooke, but she was hurting as well, I know her family was wonderful to them, and they even took care of Stefan and I that first holiday season without Paige. Brooke's parents were in SanDiego with us as Brooke's brother played football with Stefan. The love they have shown my Chase is wonderful, I couldn't have hand picked a better family for my son to marry into and definitely not a better wife for my boy.

As I look back on the pain of that first year and all the firsts that we had to go through without Paige; the first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...etc. It was such a hard year, but it wasn't as bad as I thought, now that I look back. Family and friends come together and there is so much support and love that you are able to make it through. Paige's birthday was amazing, we met at her grave and all of her little friends and parents came. My friends, family, friends of Chase and Stefan were there, Paige's teachers were there, all of the people that loved our little Paige came, it was so heartwarming! We all gathered together and talked about Paige. I asked the little girls to draw a picture to send to Paige, and they all brought one, so we tied them to pink and purple balloons and sent them off into the beautiful blue sky. Miss Molly, Paige's preschool teacher brought the kids a candy necklace and talked about how life is like a circle - holding up the necklace - that it is never ending, she is simply amazing. Then Chase read the butterfly poem that my brother wrote and Stefan handed out little triangle boxes...we then had everyone open their boxes and butterflies flew out. You should have seen the look on the faces of the children that didn't realize there were butterflies in the boxes. It was so beautiful and it really seemed as though these butterflies were headed to heaven to give messages to Paige for all of us. See, I had told everyone that there is a legend that butterflies take our thoughts or secrets to our loved ones in heaven, and told the children to think of what they wanted to tell Paige. Then they set free the butterflies, it was the most precious site. I was so touched by the love of the people who took time out of there busy day to come and spend a little time with me and my family while we celebrated our little Paige's birthday.

It has been 2 years since the accident, and I must say that the second year has definitely been the hardest for me. I talked to a friend who has also lost a child and asked her why the second year seemed so much harder than the first...she said she believes it is because that first year, you can still look back and say, "last year at this time we were doing..." and the second year you can't do that anymore, and the realization of the loss is more profound. I have to agree...I find myself spending a lot of time in bed, it brings me comfort. My heart is always hurting, and I feel so alone. I hurt when I realize people are forgetting my little girl. Obviously life goes on, it has to, that is the plan. But, I have to tell myself that people haven't forgot, they just don't have to live with the pain on a daily basis like I do. Every time I see her beautiful little face in pictures or in my mind, I feel so much joy, yet so much pain. It is hard to understand why this beautiful little miracle baby had to leave us after such a short time on this earth. It is then that I realize that it isn't for us to understand, it is only for us to accept and have faith that all is well. She is where she is suppose to be and she is doing a work that we don't understand because we are still on the earth. When we lose young children, it seems so unfair, but really we should be celebrating that they are so choice that they don't have to go through the pains that come to us in this mortal state here on the earth. Those of you reading this that don't have the same belief system I have, you have to see that this belief is what is getting me through. To believe that she is in a better place and she was so special that she was able to leave while still innocent and never hurt, only loved. What a true blessing!!!

Paige Amelia, I love you so much, you are the light of our lives. You brought us so much love...how we miss those beautiful eyes, that bright smile and the "hugs and kisses" that were always in abundance from you. Your sweet little arms that would wrap around my neck and squeeze so tight as you would tell me that "mom, I love you so much"!!! I cherish those memories and will never ever let them fade. Your brothers and dad and I will do everything we can to keep your memory alive for all of our posterity, because you are a true angel. Thank you for being our angel on earth. Love you sweetheart!!!

Here is the Butterfly Poem, by Tracy Marrott

Butterflies and Angels,

On a summers day.

You can never hold them long,

They just aren't meant to stay.

An Angel chased a Buttefly,

Smiling as She ran.

Knowing all the innocence,

As only Angles can.

Much too soon they disappear,

But only from our sight.

We shall find them once again,

When we enter into God's light.

For my Paige, Love Uncle Tracy