It's been a while
I have found it increasingly difficult to write or even log onto the website at this time of year. With Thanksgiving coming up this week, I did want to put some thoughts on "paper" here.
First of all, I want to thank our HOA and neighborhood for organizing and implementing the construction of the new bench dedicated to Hannah on our block. Although, I was unable to attend the dedication, I did visit the site the afternoon of the event and felt very touched by you and saddened to see Hannah's name and life span on a plaque. For those of you who don't live near us, the plaque says the following:
"Heaven has in store, what thou has lost" "In loving memory of Hannah Marie Turowski" " 09/28/97 to 12/10/07"
I plan on taking some picture over there that I will be able to post next time.
We hold Hannah's ashes in our home, next to my father's. My brother's ashes are at my mom's house. I have always felt a compulsion to keep them as close to us as possible.
Since there is no grave site to visit, this bench will serve as a memorial for her. Since it went in on Thursday, I've used the bench to rest and visit when I complete my runs around our community. I'm pretty sure that will be a ritual for me going forward.
Thank you to all that contributed to it's creation. A very special thank you goes our from us to Vicki Ramsay who was so very instrumental in the project.
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One of our latest comments that hit our site is from Toni Wielgus. Toni lost a forth grade daughter too. Britney was actually in Hannah's class to begin the school year in August of 2007. Hannah was winding down what we thought was her last treatment at that time and never actually attended Mrs Peterson's class.
It's really unbelievable to me that two healthy little girls and their families begin 2007 with nothing but happiness and optimism for the future both end up in heaven too soon. As parents, we do and always will agonize over our loss. We are left with the fact that this life will forever be sadder than what we had before
Our heart goes out to the Wielgus family at this time of year. We have a commonality that no one should have to share.
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I was driving through the neighborhood yesterday and was so envious of the parents putting up Christmas lights. For many years and as little as two years ago, I was always excited to see the kids get excited about pulling out all the decorations. I envy these parents now and feel like I'm looking through a pane of glass as if in a different world.
We will be home through Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Emma wants to be home. So we'll put up the tree and decorate, but we're not yet at the point where we can dig into the tree ornaments or decorations. We have started collecting blue ornaments in Hannah's memory and use that color exclusively this year. It will be a "blue" Christmas in our house for sure.
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Although Thanksgiving was bad last year, we still had hope and she was alive. This will be our first without her. We know it'll be tough and we fully expect the tears. Our plan is to cry when needed, laugh when possible and love at all times...
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I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks for the people you love in life. Hold your children close and appreciate every minute with them. We will do the same.
Love,
The Turowski's
Bob, after reading your entry today, all I can say is I thank God for You and Heidi and Ashley and Emma Jean and Hannah Marie and Little Barbs and Tom for coming into my life. Even though we are separated by many miles you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I will never forget the last Thanksgiving we spent with Dad. It was then that I found out it was his favorite holiday. I thank God for not missing that Thanksgiving. It was one of my favorites. It has been over 12 years since Dad died but it still seems like yesterday to me. I have missed him every day of the last 12 years. There is not one day that goes by that I don't think of him at some point in the day. I heard at a funeral for a friend of mine that died many years ago that the preacher said that our loved ones will live on in our minds and our souls as long as we never forget them. I believe that. May God bless all of you on this Thanksgiving!!! You are all in my prayers!!
Love, Mitch
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i suppose theres not much to say that can cover the feelings that i have about little miss hannah but this year has also been very hard and as it gets closer to my birthday the more and more hurt i become because it was on the day of my birthday that the service was held. im not quite sure if ill even be able to enjoy my birthday to be honest. i just wanted to stop in and let you know that im still checkin up on the page and that i love all of you guys and i hope you had as best of a thanksgiving as possible. and i wish you a merry christmas.
love, bethany
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Hey guys,
Just want you to know that I still think about you very often.
I just started a new job in an office and on my keyboard is my "Our Hero Hannah" pencil, it's just my little way of thinking about her each day.
Just know that my thoughts are with you and I hope that you enjoy your holiday season as best as you can.
Mallory
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Just wanted to let you all know we are thinking of you and praying for you as the 10th approaches. You have been remarkable throughout this horrible journey. It seems so frivolous to wish you a Merry Christmas because it will never be "merry" for you again. May you get through the holidays with peace and love, enjoying every moment you have with each other.
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heyy
its jessie, the girl thats practically lives in ur housee ! except i have nott been over in a while cus i left for virginia for thanksgivingg
Im soo sorry thatt u had to endure thanksgiving without hannah it had to of been hard !!
I love being with u guyss&& spending time with you all. i always have so much funn & i enjoy joking around with u and eveythingg !!! plus u guys are always there for me when something happens almost like my second familyy.
thanks for everything u have done for me and alwayss being there when i need help !
lovee
jessie fowler
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