A Promise to Graham and Savannah
"Whats This Life For" by Creed
“Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said.
"Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.”
― The Fault in Our Stars"
Yesterday my wife and I sat in the office of the funeral home making final arrangements for Graham and Savannah. We brought items to put in their casket including pictures of us and the puppies of course. Michele made two blankets for them to be swaddled in as well as two adorable little hats for them. We put in two stuffed animals for them including an elephant we bought for them and a hedgehog I had bought for Michele when we first started dating 7 years ago.
The final thing we put in was a card with notes from Michele and I.
I didn't take long to think about what I wanted to write. I just let it come. I didn't plan it, I didn't edit or filter my thoughts. I just grabbed the pen and paper and wrote.
The details are for my family to know but I will share this one particular part... in this letter I made a promise to my babies.
I know in life we make lots of promises. Some are a big deal, like wedding vows... some a little less "vital" like a promise to do the dishes.
But I cannot think of a promise with more meaning, love and emotion behind it than one made between a father and his children in a moment like this.
This promise I made to my angels is to honor them and make them proud every moment of every day for the rest of my life.
That means being the best husband I can be, the best son I can be, the best brother, friend and the employee at my job I can be.
I know that I cannot be perfect and there will certainly be moments where I fall apart, where I can't keep it together. But those are the times I can make my babies the MOST proud by showing them resolve and strength to get through those times and come out stronger, wiser and better than before.
My wife and I are the only living reflection of our babies on this earth and I will not ever allow their legacy to be tarnished because of my weakness, selfishness or apathy.
Living our lives, smiling again, enjoying this life can happen and it does not mean we will ever forget or stop grieving our babies.
In fact its just the opposite.
Every time we laugh and feel love in our hearts, we will know we are as close to Graham and Savannah as we could ever be on this earth, until we meet them again down the road.
Always one step further and one step closer to our babies...
“Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them," I said.
"Right, of course. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.”
― The Fault in Our Stars"
Yesterday my wife and I sat in the office of the funeral home making final arrangements for Graham and Savannah. We brought items to put in their casket including pictures of us and the puppies of course. Michele made two blankets for them to be swaddled in as well as two adorable little hats for them. We put in two stuffed animals for them including an elephant we bought for them and a hedgehog I had bought for Michele when we first started dating 7 years ago.
The final thing we put in was a card with notes from Michele and I.
I didn't take long to think about what I wanted to write. I just let it come. I didn't plan it, I didn't edit or filter my thoughts. I just grabbed the pen and paper and wrote.
The details are for my family to know but I will share this one particular part... in this letter I made a promise to my babies.
I know in life we make lots of promises. Some are a big deal, like wedding vows... some a little less "vital" like a promise to do the dishes.
But I cannot think of a promise with more meaning, love and emotion behind it than one made between a father and his children in a moment like this.
This promise I made to my angels is to honor them and make them proud every moment of every day for the rest of my life.
That means being the best husband I can be, the best son I can be, the best brother, friend and the employee at my job I can be.
I know that I cannot be perfect and there will certainly be moments where I fall apart, where I can't keep it together. But those are the times I can make my babies the MOST proud by showing them resolve and strength to get through those times and come out stronger, wiser and better than before.
My wife and I are the only living reflection of our babies on this earth and I will not ever allow their legacy to be tarnished because of my weakness, selfishness or apathy.
Living our lives, smiling again, enjoying this life can happen and it does not mean we will ever forget or stop grieving our babies.
In fact its just the opposite.
Every time we laugh and feel love in our hearts, we will know we are as close to Graham and Savannah as we could ever be on this earth, until we meet them again down the road.
Always one step further and one step closer to our babies...
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