Home

There is so much that I am thankful for, but my heart is very heavy at this time.

Beatrix and I arrived home late Saturday night.  She traveled so well, and was such a comfort during an incredibly painful and difficult week.  Ultimately, there is absolutely nothing that I can do to lessen this pain for my dad, and I had to return home to my own husband and children.  The pain I feel personally is great, but it is even more painful to watch my dad trying to endure this devastating loss. I am so thankful for all your kind comments, your prayers, and your thoughts.   Please keep my entire family, but especially my dad in your prayers.  He is struggling to figure out how to live his life without his wife and best friend.  They were not only married for nearly thirty years, but also were in private practice together, so they had lived and worked together for all these years.  They truly did absolutely everything together.  Right now my dad is just trying to get through each day, one step at at time.  In addition to losing his wife,  he is left to raise two special needs children on his own, while working to support them.  My sister Erin is 22 years old and has down syndrome.  My brother Sam, who is now 16 years old, was adopted as an infant, and has down syndrome and autism. 

(My brother Dan holding Beatrix, my dad, my sister Sarah, my brother Sam)

We’re just all so sad, but doing our best to focus on the goodness of God.

The local paper ran a couple of stories on my stepmom, Jane.  HERE is a link to the first one, and HERE is the second one.  They are a testament to all the good she did in her community, and how much my dad loved her.  I remember her telling Jonny when we were in Florida a couple of months ago that she had worked for dog food in the past.  She truly cared about her patients, no matter how or if they paid her.  She even made house calls.  There are not many doctors like she and my dad anymore.

More than one of Jane’s friends told me that she loved my blog and my photographs and that she often spoke of me and shared my stories and pictures with them.  In fact, my blog was the second tab on her computer’s tool bar.  I know she would want me to continue to share my photographs and life here.  I know that she would want me to be happy, and to share my happiness with all of you. I am going to do my best to do just that, but it is very hard with such sadness in my heart right now.