When we went to Florida for Anna's Make A Wish trip in late Nov. / early Dec. of 2009, Anna was in treatment, but she got a break so we could make her wish to go to Disneyworld and meet Cinderella come true. One day at The Magic Kingdom, she spotted a cupcake with LOTS of pink frosting that she just had to have! At the time her appetite was spotty at best, so we doubted she would eat much of the cupcake. But, it was her Wish trip, so her desire to get this ($3.95!) cupcake was granted!
She spent some time licking the frosting, but wasn't able to eat most of the cupcake.
Part of our time away a couple of weeks ago was spent in Orlando. While it probably would have been too hard to visit the Magic Kingdom again, we did spend a little time at Downtown Disney. We happened to stumble upon a shop that had these lovely, frosting-full (still $3.95!) cupcakes. We decided to get one for each of us in memory of Anna. They were her birthday cake for this year!! I don't think any of us was quite able to finish our cupcake either. (They aren't as delicious as their price might suggest!)
Whether it's good for me or not, I am living in the past, specifically one year ago. Reliving the last week or so of Anna's life. There are good memories of that week, and for that I am very thankful. And there are memories that are painful. Vivid memories. Heartbreaking memories.
Some of those memories were captured on film, and looking back I am again amazed at the changes that took place in little more than a week's time. Here are a few of the images that come to mind.
December 4, 2010 - Riding the ponies at Sanborn's Hometown Christmas. It was so cold!
And visiting Santa.
December 5, 2010, at a baby shower where Anna was thrilled to help carry the gifts over to the mom-to-be to open.
December 6, 2010 - silliness!
And Anna's amazing dance performance!
December 7, 2010 - Tiring Easily
December 8, 2010 - Mom and Anna Manicure / Pedicure Day
December 9, 2010 - Excited for her birthday
December 10, 2010 - so very tired.
December 11, 2010
And a last family photo
December 12 should be a day each year to celebrate. We should be having a cake and Anna should be blowing out her candles. And while we will ALWAYS celebrate that Anna was born to us and thank God for blessing us with her for the time she was with us, December 12 is sure to always be a difficult day for us.
I can't say how we will spend each December 12, but this year we have decided to be away by ourselves, just the four of us, no phones, no computers, etc. We will be doing something enjoyable, while remembering Anna.
We welcome your prayers as we journey through the next days and weeks.
