"It's not too hard for Jared"

Bradley wanted help changing a transformer toy into a car (something I have tried but simply cannot do) as I started to tell Bradley that I just couldn't do it Bradley spoke over me and said, "Is it too hard for you?"

"Yes, it is too hard for me." I said. Then I started to suggest to wait for Dad's help when he gets home and Bradley spoke again before I could finish and said,"It's too hard for Dad too."

Then he paused and said, "It's not too hard for Jared."

We miss Jared everyday. There are little reminders everywhere for which I am so glad. We continue to try and keep the eternal perspective of life at the foremost of our thoughts and the way we live. How we miss our brother and son so very, very much.

Hugs From Second Graders

Yesterday I stood by Elle as she lined up for her kindergarten class. The First and Second graders were also lining up to go inside from their lunch recess. A group of Jared's classmates, about five of them, came over to me. One little boy said, "I was so sad when Jared died." It was sweet. For a split second we all sort of just smiled and looked at each other. And then I said, "Well, I need a hug from all of you because I don't have a second grader to hug." They all crowded in and we had a little group hug. I told them I was having a baby boy on Jared's birthday. They had big smiles and off they went to their class.

It was a bittersweet moment. I was so happy they came up to me and spoke of Jared, I loved it. Of course it hurt a bit, but it also helped my heart so much. I'm so glad I got some hugs from some second graders.