Wonderfully Remembered

I thank my God every time I remember you (Philippians 1:3).

We had a wonderful day celebrating Ella’s first birthday. It was a day of happiness, love, peace and remembering. We started the day off by going to the hospital to make a donation in honor of Ella’s birthday. We donated some more blankets and books in addition to CD players and DVD players. It was wonderful giving back to the people that have helped us this past year.

We also ran into one of Ella’s doctors before leaving the hospital. She is a sweet woman who helped Ella and us for two months when we were in the NICU. Tears and smiles came to my face when we saw her. She touched our lives with her devotion and compassion for our baby and others babies in the NICU. There will always be a special place for the NICU doctors and nurses in our hearts. They are part of Ella’s family. It warms my heart knowing that they still remember our little Ella.

After leaving the hospital we drove up north to the cemetery and spent time with our family. Ryan and I had time out at the cemetery by ourselves. We brought a pink balloon to release for her first birthday however while we were talking to her our balloon popped. Tears started rolling down my cheeks and Ryan just looked at me and said, “Ella is telling us she is here!” Of course she was, just being herself, full of excitement. So back to town for a new balloon and we finally got to release it up into the blue sky. It was just wonderful. One little pink balloon floating up to heaven for a little girl’s birthday celebration.

We had a nice dinner with our family afterwards. Everyone came to be with us, to eat pink cupcakes, and to remember a sweet little baby girl. I know she was up in heaven smiling down on us all day. I am sure she was so happy to have received donations in her honor, birthday cards and sweet little gifts for her parents by all of her friends and family who remembered her on a very special day.

And as we were falling asleep, Ryan sang happy birthday to Ella and we thanked God for having a wonderful day to remember our peanut. It was a perfect end to a wonderful day.  Remembering our Ella.