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April 14, 2010 my beautiful blue-eyed middle child, Gracie came into this world. Today she would be turning double digits, the big 10! On her birthday I always wonder what she would look like, what she would want for her birthday and how we would be celebrating. Today as I think about all those things I really focused on what we would be doing. I know exactly what we would be doing. We would be home. We would make a homemade cake, sing happy birthday, play some games, go for a walk or a local hike, do some online schoolwork, Facetime or Houseparty with friends and family, make her favorite dinner and just hang out at home. Home with Gracie sounds perfect to me.
Currently home seems to be a tough place for so many to be. We are all used to busy schedules, traveling, practices, hanging out with friends and coming and going as we please, but because of the coronavirus we all need to stay home for the health and safety of everyone. It’s tough for my family too, but when I feel like I’m going crazy and start complaining about being home I think about our past, I think about Gracie, and I remember my family has done this before. When Gracie was sick and receiving treatments we had to socially isolate/distance quite a bit. We were in the hospital, at the RMH or at home. These were the safest places for Gracie and us to be as any cough, cold, stomach bug or virus that is common for others could have been deadly to her. When we were in the hospital all we wanted to do was go home. The hospital staff, doctors and nurses were Amazing, but we just wanted to be home. The RMH was our second home, much much better than being in the hospital, but still there is nothing like home. Home is a great place to be. So here’s what happened back then when we socially distanced ourselves…we kept Gracie safe from all of the common colds and virus’s because we stayed home. We washed our hands and cloroxed wiped, lysoled and hand sanitized EVERYTHING! We followed the rules and she did not get sick. She wasn’t taken from us any earlier due to not following the social distancing and hygiene rules for a cancer patient. And for that I am thankful. Unfortunately Gracie died, but it was from Cancer. There was nothing to protect her or cure her from that disease. Gracie didn’t have a choice, but you do. Please practice social distancing. We don’t want to lose any of our family, friends and supporters. Stay home, stay safe and stay healthy.
April 14th will always be my Gracie’s day. It’s been 8 years since I’ve been able to give my birthday girl a hug. Today there will be no cake or candles, no balloons, and no choked up happy birthday singing. Today we will be home. Today there will be remembering. Today I will wish that Gracie was home with us. Today will always be her day.