I have found that there are ways to remember our loved ones this time of year, though they may not be physically with us. We have included Teagan's name on Christmas cards, taken family pictures with some of her favorite items, and used her photo along with the rest of ours, simply as a way to 'include her' in our lives.
I know people grieve differently and some people can't bear to 'reopen' wounds and memories of their loved ones. In our family we have found that talking about Teagan and sharing her life and pictures with others has increased our joy and helped ease our sorrows. So, in that spirit, I share this link with you... even though she's not physically here with us, we can still dance with her and smile because her spirit still touches our hearts and lives each day.
Enjoy. =)
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11 comments:
Priceless! I have been elfing everyone at work - but your trio is so much better!
How was it to "dance" with Teagan? That was so adorable. Some people may find it strange that you include her on cards and things, but I think it is wonderful. She was and always will be your daughter, so why shouldn't she be on your Christmas cards? I have to tell you, I am completely addicted to your blog! I have been reading the old ones and catching up and getting to know you better. I love that you include recipes! I myself love to bake and cook, love Starbucks and Rachael Ray. Take care! By the way, this is Brandi who emailed you from Missouri!
How sweet! It's funny you talked about this today - today is my Granny's birthday. It's sad that she never met Cole, or Jason for that matter and I feel like there's so much I would want to tell her about my life and about how much I miss her. But, I know there were many times when Cole was in the hospital that surely his Granny was there, looking out for him and holding us all together. As a baby when Cole was so very cranky I would take him in my guest room which was a sort of shrine to my Granny I guess. Her picture was there along with the furniture she had given me that was her's, and a quilt her mother had made. Well, anyway, he would calm down everytime. She was teaching me to be a good mom I guess. Well, thanks for the Elves - too cute - we've all elfed ourselves too! Thanks for a lovely reminder today!!
Awesome. :) Love that you included her. Great idea...
Teagan certainly put an ear to ear goofy grin on my face. That was just what I needed. Aw, thanks so much!
OMG! This is too stinkin cute. You have started something in the Guidry house tonight. We made one of our own and are rofl at ourselves. Thanks for the link and trust me yall make way better elves than we do, lol.
WOW, This is so adorable!! So much fun that you can dance again with Teagan! Thanks for pointing this out, I made my own to overcome the grief in our family! thanks Jody, I wish you a lot of love!!
Beautiful. I love it. I remember my parents everyday and think about them often. I keep little reminders of them around my house just to see even though it has been well over 20 years now. It makes me smile to have memories of them. Teagen would have loved that I think.
ahhhh... jods that was fantastic!! and i love that you include her and talk about her, i learn so much more about her each and every time.
xo
That was the cutest! I just had to "elf" us as well.
Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!
I have been reading your blogs for about a month, now. And they have blessed my life, tremendously! I was drawn to them because I saw the name 'Teagan,' and thought, "what a beautiful name for a baby girl, and it's so close to my own!" I'm always looking for baby names, even though I'm not pregnant. :-) It wasn't until yesterday that I read the "story" of Teagan. And she seems to have been just as beautiful as her name, both inside and out.
I have my own story of tragedy, my father was killed when I was 11. And for circumstances beyond my control, he hadn't been in my life since I was a baby. So, six months before he died; when my mother and step-father divorced...we re-found each other. I had no idea that the moments would be so fleeting. How much of a gift everyday truly was. But it is a lesson I have learned and do my best everyday to share with others.
The night he died, when I was feeling like the only child who hadn't known her father, my mother suggested I write down all the memories we had shared and hold on to them. I opened a package of markers that I had been saving for a "special day" and began to note every time he made me laugh and every time he fussed and any thing else I could possibly think of.
A few years ago at Christmas, my grandmother gave me a framed picture of him that I keep at my bed side. Every night, I say, "good night, daddy." And in my heart I feel him give me a hug and a kiss on my forehead. It is far to difficult to think of him missing the father/daughter drill team routine, my debutante ball, going to the State finals in Odessey of the Mind, and walking me down the aisle (when my boyfriend finally builds up the nerves to ask...lol).
So, I visit his grave often and talk about him like he is still here. I cherish family stories like of how he told the school bus driver, at the age of 5, that his mother said he didn't have to go that day. And I even dragged my boyfriend to the cemetary on his (would-be) 51st birthday to introduce them. (Creepy, I know...smile.)
But you do what you have to do, in order to fill in the gaps. The pain never goes away, but eventually it gets a little easier to bear. March 17th will mark 16 years. Some days I miss him like it happened yesterday, and other days I just laugh at the memories...but I know you already know all of this.
But I really wanted to comment to tell you how you and your family have profoundly touched my life. Your ability to forgive resonates with me. The person who killed my father fleed the country before they could be prosecuted...but I forgave them, long ago. I had to do it for myself. Who could I grow up (or go on) with that kind of anger or bitterness in my heart? Last night, during our Church's annual prayer vigil, the minister said that bitterness blocks your prayers from being heard by God.
So, anyway, I've gotten all off topic now. But I just wanted to let you know, that I believe in keeping memories alive!
Thank you for being such a blessing!!
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