One Step at a Time

Matt and I have been overwhelmed and humbled by the outpouring of support we’ve received from so many of you over the past week. The emails, messages, cards, flowers, and meals are holding us together right now; please know how much we appreciate each kind word, each expression of compassion. Every day, every step, is painful. It occurred to me yesterday that more time had passed since Frannie’s death than we were able to spend with her in her short life, and it just blows my mind. We miss our baby so much. But we believe our family will get through this. Although we cannot yet see the light, we have faith that it’s there.

We want to share that we now have firm plans for Frannie’s memorial service. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. We welcome anyone who wishes to celebrate our precious daughter’s life.

In other news, as many of you know, our family had planned a move to New York at the end of this month. Matt and I feel it would be a horrible mistake to uproot Ellie so soon after experiencing this trauma, so we’ve put the move on hold. Luckily, I’ve received official word from my new department chair that they can delay my appointment until the spring semester of 2010. We are so grateful and relieved to be able to remain in the midst of our support system as we work through our grief. Also, thanks to the kindness and flexibility of the folks at Linden Waldorf School, Ellie will return this fall to the loving arms of her teachers and classmates. We believe this will aid her (and our) healing.