A look back...See our beautiful Shelley here
Two years ago today ....
My sister-in-law probably had a cup of tea.
She probably had absolute faith that she was making the right decision.
I'll bet that she was relieved.
I'm sure she did it early on, so that no one would disturb her.
I'm absolutely CERTAIN that she thought of Buddy, but just couldn't see him through the darkness.
Two years ago today ....
Buddy came home and was welcomed by Catdog, who was outside in the rain.
He saw Shelley's car in the driveway.
He knew that she wouldn't leave the cat out in the rain if she was home - and okay.
Buddy had the courage to hurry around the house, calling Shelley's name.
He knew this wasn't good.
He found her.
Two years ago today ....
A husband cried for his wife.
Parents mourned their daughter.
Mom came home to the police delivering a shocked and devastated son.
I got a phone call.
Family gathered.
One year ago today ....
We tried our best to be what Buddy needed.
We gathered as a family.
We set balloons free and watched them rise up, up , up to where Shelley could catch them.
Maybe she laughed at our silliness.
Maybe she cried for our grief.
Today ....
We won't be able to gather around each other.
Perhaps each person will, in their own way, just think of her.
Remember one thing about her.
Those weird little green tomato pickle things that Gramma loved, and I never did try.
The way she just loved to stay and visit. I wish she had stayed longer.
The way she held my wee Olivia. And went truckin' up the road with her in her stroller. She loved my other girls too, but it's different when you watch a tummy grow, and get caught up in the excitement of a new baby. When you hold that sweet little thing. You bond. She bonded. I loved that so much.
Two years ago we said good-bye to an incredible person. She was warm and loving and had a wonderful laugh. I can still hear it.
Today her memoriam reads
When someone you love becomes a memory,
That memory becomes a treasure.
But then ... you were a treasure even before you left us.
And she was.
8 comments:
That was absolutely beautiful Rhonda.
Two years ago today we celebrated my Mothers birthday like she was the only person in the world that mattered. Days later we found out about Shelley. Oh Buddy, so many years have passed and our families have drifted apart, yet this one moment in time has changed July 10th forever.
You may not know this now Buddy, but the whole Sparrow family is thinking of you every time Mom gets a year older, wishing you well, for we know first hand the pain will ease and the cherished memories will help you through the toughest times.
One year ago today, we celebrated my Mother's birthday with a whole new appreciation for loved ones both on earth and beyond.
Today we celebrated our Mother's birthday knowing that the Arndts are a lot like the Sparrows. Gathering to celebrate and to grieve, cherishing moments that once may have been taken for granted.
Thank you Rhonda for allowing me to share this moment with you.
Take care Arndt family and be sure to hug Buddy from all of us, whether he likes it or not.
Okay, you guys are two for two. My two best cries today have come from Rhonda's beautiful blog and Matt's beautiful comment. I love you both, you tender, wonderful people. Mrs. Sparrow and Mrs. Arndt raised some pretty fabulous kids!!
Very well written, I am covered with goosebumps and crying bittersweet tears. Thank you for this intimate glimpse.
She sounds like an amazing person. I'm so sorry she's gone.
I have goosebumps.
This was beautiful!
Oh my gosh......so beautiful. And then when I saw her picture I wanted to cry. You've done an amazing job with these posts, Rhonda.
My name is Noah, today (January 2nd 2014) i went a beach in lanikai, oahu. There i discovered an urn with the name "Shelley Alexandra Lappenbush" and the cremation date of "July 17th 2006" labeled on the bottom of this stainless steel urn
i googled this information and it pulled me up to your blog. i really want to get Shelley back to here family. no one deserves to be left behind, but some times it is best to let them free.
please call me at 8082615550 or 8082699187 or email me hi96768@gmail.com
please contact me
Post a Comment