Christmas Card

As most of you have probably realized, we’ve decided not to send Christmas cards this year … It is such an emotional time for us and while it’s been hard to get in the holiday spirit, it also just didn’t feel right to not include Brienna.  So in lieu of sending cards, we decided to create one and post it here for our friends and family.  We hope you enjoy the holidays and we’re looking forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks!

2009 christmas card

Love,
Patrick and Laurie

Time Flies …

… even if you’re not having fun.

It is so hard to believe that six months have passed since Brienna was born.  Six months.  In many ways, a part of us will forever cling to June 2, 2009.  It’s the single most defining day of our lives, and the entire day is constantly replaying in my head.  The reality that Brienna is gone forever still stops me in tracks and literally takes my breath away.  How can the beautiful baby that we created be gone?  How is that we’ll never get to see her smile, or hear her say “Mama” and “Dada”?   Some days, I don’t think I can do it.  And others, I am able to see the gifts she gave us and am just overwhelmed with gratitude.   Every day is shaped by her presence in our hearts … and we know that time will help to heal our pain, but today, the hole in our hearts feels unbearably large.

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We love you Brienna Marie … we thank God every day for you, and we miss you more than words can ever say.