Dear Truly-
Today would have been your fifth birthday. I cried my first tears today thinking of the wonder and excitement that a 5 year old would have on her birthday. We would have woken you early in time to open your gifts before Daddy left for work. You would have come down the stairs in your jammies, with sleepy eyes and messy hair to see your place at the breakfast table all decorated with streamers and balloons and our special dishes. I can just imagine the delight in your eyes as you opened your gifts. A 5 year old girl would most likely love princess stuff and anything pink and sparkly!
Turning 5 has always been one of those milestone birthdays when a toddler suddenly transforms into a child. You would have started school this fall and would most likely have already known your alphabet and numbers from watching and playing with your siblings. You would have started taking on some new chores, like helping sweep the kitchen and learning to wash the dishes. Your sisters would have loved helping you learn and teaching you how to fix your own hair and pick out pretty outfits.
Your exit from this life left quite a hole in our hearts. When your brothers and sisters are playing, I often look around and think, "Who's missing?" Then, it dawns on me, that it is you. Your siblings often mention you in passing. Charity seems to be the most sensitive about your death, coming to me in tears saying that she misses you. We all do.
When I read in Hebrews about that "great a cloud of witnesses", I wonder about how much of what is going on down here on earth is visible to you in heaven. We often wonder about how "old" you might be in heaven, or if you look like us, or what you do. No matter what "age" you are, you will always be a baby in our hearts! The kids and I were discussing the other day about eye color and they asked about yours. I told them that you never opened your eyes here on earth, but most babies eyes are blue. I think about the others that I know who are in heaven. Perhaps you have spoken to your great grandma and grandpa Yowell today, or great Grandpa Tate or great Grandpa Deatrick. I don't know a whole lot about what goes on in heaven, but when I read about all the celebrations that God designed for the Israelites, surely heaven must be full of celebration. I hope they are celebrating with you today!
We are not going to sit around and mope today. Today is still a celebration. We have designated this date on our calendar to decorate the house with our Christmas decorations. The kids are excited to finally get the tree decorated and get the stocking hung and the greenery around the house. We will bake a cake to celebrate the day, just because we love having a reason to make cake as you surely know! We will also go out to your gravestone and place some flowers there in remembrance. Though we know it is just your body that is there, I think it helps the kids to see the flowers there. We all take comfort in knowing that you are with our blessed Saviour! We can't wait to see both He and you someday!
Your short life on this earth taught us so much. I thank our heavenly Father over and over for His wisdom in giving you to us for such a short time. We learned so much about His goodness and grace through all of that time. We love you, Truly Hope.
Lots of Love,
Mommy
*To read all of Truly's story click here
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