It was another busy weekend for us. This time of year, seems to be packed with all sorts of activities, and often so many that they conflict in our schedule. The Saturday before Father’s Day typically is the day that we get together as a family to celebrate the holiday, but this year, we were invited to four separate events. One of these was a graduation party for Hannah’s friend “Monty.” Well, that’s not her real name, but that is what Hannah and a few of her friends called her. She is a very good friend through school, and one of three with the name Hannah. Since there were three “Hannah’s” they decided to give each other nicknames. Playing off other Hannah related nicknames, like “Hannah Banana from Montana or Louisiana.” They decided to nickname this Hannah Monty, as she was given the “Montana” label, and our Hannah was “Louie,” since she took that Louisiana part of the nick name. So, there was Hannah, Monty, and Louie. Monty was a close friend, even though she lives on the other side of the state, through the virtual school homeschool group we are with. She also spent the weekend with us for our Hannah’s birthday and came to the hospital to visit Hannah twice before she passed.
Like I said earlier, this time of year is busy and there have been other graduation parties for other friends of Hannah as well, but we were not able to attend them because of other schedule conflicts. Savannah and Sara were two other friends with parties that we wish we could have attended, but Monty’s was the only one that worked out. We drove almost three hours to her farm in western Wisconsin. As we drove, we thought of her traveling down those same roads that week that she came to see Hannah. We had a good visit with Monty and her family. Obviously, we really didn’t know anyone, but it was good to go and to honor the young woman Monty is and the friendship that she shared with “Louie.” It’s also a little sad and “awkward” (I’m not sure that’s even the right word) to go to events like this without Hannah. She was the connection we have to these friends and without her now, it can feel, to us, like we are a “wet blanket” on the festivities, because everywhere we go, we represent a very difficult situation. To be clear, everyone is very happy to see us and greatly appreciates our attendance and in no way has ever made us feel uncomfortable or unwelcome, but inside ourselves, we just feel so different that no matter where we go, we, ourselves, feel “different.” As I have said before, this life that we are living seems to be very connected to the life and passing of our daughter. It’s like our “train” of life was derailed that week and then it has been set back down on a completely different track that is heading in a very different and unknown direction. We are very thankful for Monty and her family and most of all the friendship that she and others shared with Hannah. They will always hold a special place in our hearts as they did hers.
There were three other things this weekend that were of special encouragement to us as well. The first was that Janean has had the opportunity to talk to a young woman at our local Walmart about Hannah. The connection began over Josh’s wristband collection that he wears all the time and has continued little by little as they “run into each other” at the store. The conversation ultimately came to the story of Hannah and this young woman very appreciatively took a Hannah Story Pamphlet, and the conversation ended with a much-needed hug. The second blessing was that we heard from a dental hygienist that the kids had several years ago, before we were able to find a dentist closer to home. She reached out, through Facebook, and shared her appreciation for our family and her fond memories of Hannah. It’s a real blessing to have someone remember our kids, in a good way, for years, and to reach out like this to tell us. Honestly, there are times as parents where we wonder if any of what we are doing is working, but then there are times like this where we see that, yes, our work at parenting is working, and in fact, it’s even noticeable and notable at times. Parenting is a long journey. To all parents out there with kids at home, and especially younger ones, keep at it. It can be a long, slow grind, but it will all pay off in time. Do right: (and when those kids are driving you nuts) breathe, take small steps, and keep moving forward! You will never regret it.
Last but not least, as we arrived home from Monty’s party, we received a very nice, hand-made, letter from a young man named John, from Arkansas. He is twelve and he shared with us his appreciation for Hannah’s story, especially in regard to her allergies. He and several others in his family have allergies and he wanted to send us a card, on behalf of his entire family, to encourage us. It is really special for us to receive letters like this from friends that we haven’t met. We are reminded that what we are doing does matter and it’s a blessing to others, most of which we do not personally know. Thank you, John, for your beautiful card and letter!
We are blessed.
Hannah Helps 