Not many people can say that they married into a family as amazing as their own but I can. I knew that I wanted to marry Bill shortly after we met but what really sealed the deal was his family. I was welcomed into their family as if I had been there all along. Not only did he have a brother just as goofy as himself but he also had three sisters who welcomed me with open arms. And their spouses were just as amazing as they were. I was sold from day one. What an amazing family that was based on unwavering love and dedication to each other.
The night we found out that Holden gained his wings, Bill's brother and his wife came right to the hospital. It broke my heart to see the devastation in John's eyes and the sadness on Marie's face. They were just as confused as we were. How can this be? This simply cannot be real. They left knowing what was to come and I know this made their hearts ache immensely.
Bill's sister Diane was working a night shift. Even though she loves her job, I know her mind and heart were somewhere else that night. Amazingly, she was working with a mother of an angel who was able to provide her with comfort through those long night hours. She was kept up to date via texts from my mother-in-law and came to the hospital as soon as her shift was over. Sleep deprived and emotionally drained, she rocked my baby boy and fell in love as we all did. Her love for my babies is undeniable and I know my sweet boy felt every last bit of it just as his siblings do.
Bill's sister Donna came shortly after. Donna has faced her own battles as she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after we lost Ricky. She has faced many demons in the last couple of years and I see this woman as an inspiration to cherish life. She held Holden in her arms, just as she did with my earthly trio, with so much love in her eyes. What a beautiful gift to have her here on earth meeting my sweet boy when just 2.5 years ago we were unsure of the future.
Sweet and sassy Dar came that morning, too. I think seeing her upset affected me the most. Dar is pretty strong yet as gentle as they come. I watched her as she sat next to Bill while he wept for his son. I could see her heart breaking right in front of me. I know that if she could have taken Bill's pain away, she would have. Dar has also faced her own demons as she suffered a heart attack at a young age. She, too, has shown me that life is so very precious.
Marie came back that evening. She had to see her beautiful nephew. Her sadness was felt throughout the whole room. I watched her as she held my boy so tightly as if her love could bring life back to him. As a woman married into this amazing family and to Bill's brother, she knew how much this little boy meant to our family. Her heart broke right along with ours that day.
One regret I have is not getting a picture of everyone holding him. It still felt like a dream and it was hard to process everything at once. It is easy to look back now and see what I should have, could have done. Thing is, a picture doesn't always tell the whole story for I read the story of Holden's life through my emotions. My memories of these amazing people embracing my sweet boy are what brings me peace. I feel a warmth within my soul whenever I think of those moments. Not everyone came to the hospital as it was far too much to comprehend at the time. At the wake, the sadness was overwhelming.
My Day 7- More Than Just Me
The Aunts and Uncles- Part 2. Not many people can say that they married into a family as amazing as their own but I can. I knew that I wanted to marry Bill shortly after we met but what really sealed the deal was his family. I was welcomed into their family as if I had been there all along. Not only did he have a brother just as goofy as himself but he also had three sisters who welcomed me with open arms. And their spouses were just as amazing as they were. I was sold from day one. What an amazing family that was based on unwavering love and dedication to each other.
The night we found out that Holden gained his wings, Bill's brother and his wife came right to the hospital. It broke my heart to see the devastation in John's eyes and the sadness on Marie's face. They were just as confused as we were. How can this be? This simply cannot be real. They left knowing what was to come and I know this made their hearts ache immensely.
Bill's sister Diane was working a night shift. Even though she loves her job, I know her mind and heart were somewhere else that night. Amazingly, she was working with a mother of an angel who was able to provide her with comfort through those long night hours. She was kept up to date via texts from my mother-in-law and came to the hospital as soon as her shift was over. Sleep deprived and emotionally drained, she rocked my baby boy and fell in love as we all did. Her love for my babies is undeniable and I know my sweet boy felt every last bit of it just as his siblings do.
Bill's sister Donna came shortly after. Donna has faced her own battles as she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after we lost Ricky. She has faced many demons in the last couple of years and I see this woman as an inspiration to cherish life. She held Holden in her arms, just as she did with my earthly trio, with so much love in her eyes. What a beautiful gift to have her here on earth meeting my sweet boy when just 2.5 years ago we were unsure of the future.
Sweet and sassy Dar came that morning, too. I think seeing her upset affected me the most. Dar is pretty strong yet as gentle as they come. I watched her as she sat next to Bill while he wept for his son. I could see her heart breaking right in front of me. I know that if she could have taken Bill's pain away, she would have. Dar has also faced her own demons as she suffered a heart attack at a young age. She, too, has shown me that life is so very precious.
Marie came back that evening. She had to see her beautiful nephew. Her sadness was felt throughout the whole room. I watched her as she held my boy so tightly as if her love could bring life back to him. As a woman married into this amazing family and to Bill's brother, she knew how much this little boy meant to our family. Her heart broke right along with ours that day.
One regret I have is not getting a picture of everyone holding him. It still felt like a dream and it was hard to process everything at once. It is easy to look back now and see what I should have, could have done. Thing is, a picture doesn't always tell the whole story for I read the story of Holden's life through my emotions. My memories of these amazing people embracing my sweet boy are what brings me peace. I feel a warmth within my soul whenever I think of those moments. Not everyone came to the hospital as it was far too much to comprehend at the time. At the wake, the sadness was overwhelming. My beautiful boy is so loved and I know that his memory will live on through these beautiful souls I have the honor of calling my family ♥
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