Embracing the Wonder

OK, so perhaps that last blog was a bit abrupt.  I apologize if it took you by shock.  I honestly do not know how to share this information.  How not to shock, even if you somehow know it is coming.  How to ease the pain, grief, frustration, or a whole mess of other feelings too.  How not to want to have the "right" thing to say.  How not to want to "fix" this thing that cannot be fixed.  Thom and I are working on allowing others to have their grief as we have been allowed to have ours.  Right now it feels as if everything has changed and at the same time nothing has changed (did I already say that?)

Yesterday was extremely challenging as Ellie seems to have some kind of stomach bug right now that caused her a lot of pain and created a lot of mess.  Ellie was extremely uncomfortable, spending much of the afternoon crying in bed.  Ugh.  My one wish for today is for her to feel better.

Huge thanks to Ms. Kathy Mack for the wonderful dinner on Sunday night and to Brittany for whipping us up a Lasagna!  I cannot even begin to tell you what a gift it is to already have food made right now.  Thanks to Karly for hanging with Ben on Friday after school and making his day funderful!  And thank you to Zumba Jen for the breath takingly beautiful e-mails.  They are even better than muffins, they are like a bar of the finest Gail Ambrosius dark chocolate.  If I have neglected a thank you, please know it is not because I am not greatful, it is because my brain is a bit foggy right now.

Here is an Ellie lesson from my Great Aunt Glenna (emphasis on "Great")

What I've Learned From Ellie

First I learned how important it is to have fantastic, talented parents like Debi and Throm.  Parents that love you and help you live life to the fullest.  Ellie teaches you about how to seize the moment, about holding someone's hand, and embracing the wonder of every day life.  Most of all, she has taught me to cope with what we don't understand. Her courage has helped me to go on zooming down the road . Ellie has the courage to do what is hardest and love without fear or boundaries.

I have never met Ellie but she is my GREAT, GREAT niece.  I have read "Sunny Days With Debi" for years.  I know she has great genes from many sources, and one source is my mother.  She would have loved Ellie's new words and understood the logic behind each one.  They would have enjoyed each other if they had ever had the pleasure of meeting. They would have bonded.

Many thanks to Debi and Throm for sharing Ellie with family and friends.  It has made me "jilled."      Aunt Glenna Burns