Sunday, October 24, 2010

A Visit With Our Liv'ster...

To continue on with our journey from WA to GA, we made a pit stop in Indy (our hometown). While we were there, we made sure to visit our daughter's grave several times. Since we chose to bury her close to family -- knowing that we would be constantly moving around with the military, we felt that this would be the best choice -- we wanted to take every opportunity that we could to see her while we were in town.

Our first visit was a rough one. It was the first time that Livy's daddy was able to visit since the funeral back in December, and the first time that I was able to visit since ordering the headstone. There were many tears, hugs, and loving comments being said to our sweet baby girl. We miss her so much, and this particular visit just made it hit home all that much more. Standing there, knowing that our baby girl was gone forever -- knowing that this was the only way that we would ever be able to spend time with her from now on...It was a hard night. We made sure to tell our little Olivia how much she was loved and missed...

I will forever remember the emotions of that night, and the look on James' face while he quietly sat and stared at Liv's grave. I know he misses her more than anything in this world, and this was the first time in nearly 10 months that he was able to express those emotions wholeheartedly. Thanks to the Army, he was forced to push all of that aside immediately following her funeral and jump right back into battle mode in Afghanistan, so I'm glad we were able to visit at the time that we did!

Here are a few pictures from that night...



We spent a good amount of time there that night and didn't leave until after dark. We knew that we would be back again the next day, so our goodbyes were a bit easier this time around...

Due to a crazy day of visiting with friends and family, it wasn't until after dark on the next night that we were able to break away again to go see Liv. We later regretted it, but we opted to wait until the next day to visit, since the cemetery would be pitch black. So fast forwarding to the day after, we made sure to stop at the store for some flowers, then we headed on over to see our baby girl...

While I set up the vase, James took apart the wrapping and prepared the flowers...




While taking a few pictures, I noticed off to the side that James was forming a heart over Livy's grave with the shadow of his hands. I thought it was too sweet not to capture...


Later, while walking around her grave, we noticed the written names (and dates) of our other two on the back of Liv's flowers. These were placed at her grave by her Oma, who was so thoughtful as to add our other two. Since Jacob and Jordan are without any kind of grave, she continues to add them at Livy's in little ways...


Throughout the rest of our stay in Indianapolis, we continued to visit Livy every chance we got. If this was the only way that we could be with her, we were going to take full advantage of this opportunity!

We miss you so much, Olivia! Love you, baby girl!

5 comments:

  1. Oh Priscilla...this post and the pictures brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad that you and James got to spend some time with your Livy (i love that nickname). I must have felt so good to be there together and talk to your sweet girl...I love that all of your angels are there together. Thinking of you...

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  2. This post is beyond sweet - it brought tears to my eyes. To think that your husband had to go back to the army after such a loss is just awful. I am glad that he got to express his emotion finally. I'm glad that you got to visit her and spend time with her and SO sweet that your two other angels are remembered there also in little ways. The flowers are gorgeous. Much love to you momma! <3

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  3. What an amazing and beautiful post, Priscilla. I'm so glad that you and James have been able to spend some time with Livy and remember your other two angels there with her. What a healing experience. Love the flowers that you took there...but James' picture of his hands shaped like a heart just got me. How sweet! Thinking of you, hun. ((hugs and love))

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  4. Glad you and James got to spend time with Livy during your visit home. Moments like these are sacred. I can only imagine how hard it is for you two to be on the move without Olivia close by. It's good that she's with family at Indy and you can be reassured that she's being remembered by loved ones. But what's most comforting is the thought that you both carry the hearts of your three children with you. And that wherever you go, whatever road you take, they will always be home with you. (((hugs)))

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  5. Oh my, i am choked up by this post...i know, i know, i am a little behind, but I have been so busy, i am sorry! I am so glad that you guys got to spend some quality time with Olivia, and i count my blessings that although there is no headstone yet, my daughter is close by. I Must say, James' heart-hand made me cry.....it is so sweet and endearing when our husbands let down their guard and show us these signs of compassion!
    Hugs!

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