Facebook can be a tricky business for grieving parents. It provides a pretty amazing tool to connect with others who have walked a similar path and an outlet to share my little girl's story. But on the other hand there are some mornings I wake up and see my "On This Day" reminder and I … Continue reading On This Day
childhood cancer
Goodbye Sweet Girl
I know it's been quite awhile since I've sat down to write a blog post. We've had a lot going on as a family lately and I just haven't been able to find the words. This is a hard day for me every year. Today marks 3 years since Olivia went home on hospice care. It was … Continue reading Goodbye Sweet Girl
Our Hero – Olivia
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. And while it might be tempting to simply scroll past the gold ribbons and the sad stories of these kids you see on your Facebook page, I ask you not to give into that temptation. Childhood Cancer Awareness matters deeply to me, and it should matter to you too. You … Continue reading Our Hero – Olivia
Split Second
There have been a lot of tragedies lately. Families have lost loved ones, received horrible diagnoses and so much more. It has been heartbreaking to watch and has brought up so many memories. Just a few weeks ago a young woman who I went to high school with was killed by a drunk driver. She … Continue reading Split Second
4 Years Ago
4 years ago on July 16, 2012 our family was shaken to its very core. Our 4 month old daughter, Olivia, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Our worst nightmare was coming true and there was nothing we could do to change it. I will never forget that day. I woke up that morning to Olivia having … Continue reading 4 Years Ago
Seas of Change
We recently got back from a week long vacation in San Diego. We had a beautiful time playing on the beach, visiting Sea World, and checking out the tide pools. It was so different from our last visit. We went to San Diego 2.5 years ago about a month after Olivia passed away. It was a … Continue reading Seas of Change
Thank You
Sometimes the Timehops from Facebook are enough to make me want to break down. This past week that was definitely true. For three or four days I woke up each morning to a reminder that 3 years ago on June 6, 2013 we found out that Olivia's cancer had returned. For those agonizing days I … Continue reading Thank You
The Grieving Mother
I've been thinking a lot about grief the last few days. Mother's Day always brings up a lot of emotions for me. It's truly bittersweet. It's a day that's equally filled with joy and sadness, because while I am still a mother to two wonderful little boys, I am also still the grieving mother of a … Continue reading The Grieving Mother
A Choice
Watching cancer take my daughter's life was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. It was something I thought I would never survive. She was the greatest gift I've ever been given that had to be taken away. The day Olivia died my heart was crushed, but I also made a choice. I chose in that moment … Continue reading A Choice
Way Back Then
I've spent a lot of time lately looking back on the past years and sitting back in awe of all that's transpired. On that day in July 2009, my husband and I got married. We had every hope in the world for this new journey we were beginning together. We imagined a life together in … Continue reading Way Back Then
Beauty From The Ashes 