Six Purple Balloons

Today we celebrated remembering Layla's life. Her memorial service was this afternoon in California at 3:00 pm, and we were so sad that we couldn't go. So today at 4:00 pm our time, (1 hour time difference - we wanted to do it at the same time) we decided to release 6 purple balloons to represent each year she had on this earth...and in her favorite color. Mia took the news of Layla's passing better than I did. When we told her that Layla had passed away in her sleep, she thought for a minute and said...'So Layla went to sleep and then woke up in the clouds?' (heaven) and I said, 'yes.' She smiled and said...'cool!' Mia did have a hard day at school on Thursday...even Wednesday night she was asking lots of questions, trying to process it all. So her counselor suggested that she write a note to Layla and put it on the balloon...that way she could tell Layla one last thing, to have a chance to say goodbye. This is what she wrote...

Different shades of purple...

Miss Theresa, one of Layla's & Mia's nurses came to be with us wearing a purple flower in her hair in honor of Layla.

So did Miss Jill, another POTC nurse where Mia gets her transfusions. She had a purple flower too. They were thankful to be there with us to remember Layla.

Layla stories...

...always have laughter in them.

Mia's favorite memory of Layla is of when they first met, and they painted 'bug houses.' It was a styrafoam cup turned upside down and they cut out a little door for the bugs to get in and out. Hence, a bug house.

Miss Jill remembering her favortie Layla story...both nurses remember her being sassy. No wonder Layla and Mia got along so well!!! Lol!

Miss Theresa remembering her favorite Layla story...

I will never forget the way Layla helped Mia with getting her flu shot. Usually, they take stuff out of Mia, not inject her. Mia needed to get a flu shot...and she really panicked. Her blood pressure shot up, and Miss Christine said, 'Mia, you need to relax.' So Layla hopped up onto her bed and explained to Mia that if she got the shot in her leg, she wouldn't feel it as much (because Layla had shots all the time) and to take a deep breath and count...there's Layla in the background counting and saying, 'you can do it Mia.'

I brought Mia's photo album of her hospital days with Layla so everyone could look at pictures.
Purple Balloons...

Layla's favorite color was purple...so we got six purple balloons to represent her six years of life. I also got one blue balloon with flowers on it that says,' you'll be missed.' Ashley helped to untie them all.



Mia with her note to Layla taped to her balloon.

Saying a Prayer -

Matt said a really nice prayer before we let the ballons go. It was really heartfelt and I appreciate so much his kind words about Layla, God's purpose and plan, and for her family...

Saying goodbye...

As each balloon went up in the sky...each person said something special to Layla. Ashley noticed that the wind was carrying them west...in the direction of California.

It was nice for me to be able to talk about Layla with the nurses. I have been struggling with just thinking about the finality of everything, I guess from a mom's perspective, as it does hit close to home. It was good.

After we let the balloons go...Mia did get sad. She grabbed my leg and wouldn't let go. All I could do was give her a big hug.

Mia likes to announce things...like when her mom is crying. I'm happy for Layla to be out of any pain and suffering. She truly has touched so many people's lives, even if you didn't know her, I want you to know that she fought hard and had an amazing spirit. Her memory will certainly live on.

Visiting Layla @ POTC

The last time we saw Layla & her mom Nicole was right before Thanksgiving. I pulled Mia out of school, yep, that's right, we 'skipped school' to visit Layla in the hospital. Mia brought her a Jared Box...filled with little toys and fun stuff to keep you busy when you're at the hospital all day. I never posted these pictures and came across them...so I wanted to share them.

The most funniest thing was the flarp. If you don't know what flarp is...it's squishy stuff in a plastic container where it makes...funny noises. Kind of like a tooting sound (lol!) They were laughing so hard, and anytime a nurse or someone came into the room...they would make a noise and say...'excuse you!' I must admit, it was pretty funny. They enjoyed looking at all the stuff in the box together.

I have heard this song so much lately...here are the lyrics. Also, the second song after talks about having a 'Beautiful Ending...' - I'm thankful that Layla had a beautiful ending.

Your Hands -

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn't there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That You would take my pain away

That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crookedly lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the earth

You healed the broken, lost, and hurt

I know You hate to see me cry

One day You will set all things right

Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave Your hands

Your hands

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

Your hands that shape the world

Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave You when...When my world is shaking

~Heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave...I never leave Your hands

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"He has the power to bring everything under His control. By His power He will change our earthly bodies. They will become like His glorious body."

~Philippians 3:21