Today was such a wonderful day. Mark, Colin, and I went to the Share Walk for Rememberance and Hope with his mother and father, brother and his girlfriend, and my dear friend and her boyfriend. We sported the walks t-shirts, and are so proud to wear something with Gabrielle and Ryan's names on them. We wrote our messages and tied them to the green balloons, and listening to their names being announced and releasing those balloons to the heavens was so meaningful to us. Prior to Gabby and Ryan's names being announced, the majority of the balloons being released went straight up in the clear blue sky. Once we let go of ours, the wind changed directions and we watched them float straight towards the sun until we could no longer see them. It really was a beautiful moment.
We were surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of other grieving parents and their families. It was so touching to see that we aren't alone on this journey. Others have gone before us, and sadly others will follow. It is so reassuring to know that there is a network of loving and caring individuals who dedicate their time in memory of their lost angels to help others who are going through the horror and shock of losing a child.
We came back to the house and had some chili, wings, and cornbread to thank everyone for spending today with us... and am so grateful to my husband's cousin and his wife (whom I have mentioned previously) for joining us as well. She may just be the one most supportive person through all of this, and I now realize that my relationship with her is a gift from my babies. I feel that if Gabby and Ryan were still with us, we would still have become dear friends, but I now realize that after losing them our relationship has developed on a much deeper level.... she does not judge, she does not criticize. She is always there, always accepting, and always supportive.Our different but similar journeys have intertwined us together. She truly is another one of Gabby's gifts.... and I just know that Gabby and Ryan love their Auntie J just as I do.
We give our all to Colin everyday... it was great to have a day just for Gabby and Ryan. It was even more meaningful to be with those closest to us today.... to know that others care, that others recognize their existence, and that others love them as well.
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