This week we remembered the first anniversary of Hannah’s passing and her funeral. As I look back at the week, there is a sense of relief because now we have celebrated all the one-year anniversaries. We are never sure what to expect on these “firsts.” The memories and emotions sometimes pop up seemingly out of nowhere and other times the anticipation is worse than the reality itself. This past week we had a very special evening planned on Monday, the tenth. Although we remembered that being the day that we held the Honor Walk and said goodbye to Hannah’s body, we also remembered that it was the day that four other people got a second chance at life.
This past Monday we held a small family time of remembrance at Hannah’s favorite pizza place, Marty’s pizza. We replayed the slideshow from Hannah’s funeral and shared stories and memories of our lives together with her for those cherished nineteen years. As sad as it was to remember her passing, we were also thankful for the wonderful times that we had together and the amazing girl that she was. While remembering Hannah, we were also remembering the decision to donate Hannah’s organs and the unique opportunity that it has given us to see good come out of this dark time. We did this in the most special way, we invited Abby and her family to celebrate this day with us! Not only was this the one-year anniversary of Hannah’s passing, but it was also the one-year anniversary of Abby getting a second chance at life and becoming a part of our family. We celebrated this unique relationship in an equally unique way. We had hot chocolate! For those of you who remember, Hannah’s love for hot chocolate passed with her organs into Abby and formed an amazing story and an even more personal connection.
We celebrated this day with pizza, then we had a cake. On the cake were two numbered candles. There was a twenty for the age that Hannah would have been this week, and also for her first birthday in heaven and the first birthday that Abby was able to be with us. To further make this special and remember this day, Pavlina from CBS 58 was with us too. She did an amazing report on MBU becoming the first anaphylaxis prepared campus last week, and this week she was excited to share this special time with all of us! This was the first time that our family has been able to meet Abby. It was good for everyone to share in this special family moment. None of us wanted to be in this position, but God saw fit to allow all of this to happen for a greater good and His purpose. Here is a link to Pavlina’s report:
On Thursday we remembered the day of the funeral. We are very thankful for the very special time that it was. If you were not able to attend the Honor Walk or the funeral, they are both available on our YouTube channel. I would encourage you to watch them! Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/@HannahHelps19 . While you are on our YouTube channel you can hit the like buttons and subscribe! During this week of remembrance I have been adding videos to our channel. They are covering the posts from these days last year. Yes, it’s still me on them, but I hope that doesn’t keep you away.
We have appreciated the opportunities, since the day of Hannah’s birthday, to be on VCY America, hold training at Maranatha, remember Hannah’s life and celebrate the life-giving institution of organ donation, share Abby with our family, and to be able to share Hannah and her story with the world through our interviews on tv. Yes, these things do add an element of stress to our lives, but there is also a certain amount of deadness because of our loss that counteracts the nervousness. We are amazed to see how God chooses to use Hannah’s Story in these unique ways. Who knows where He will take us next!
Some of you might be aware that this post is coming out late. While I was beginning to write it, I got a call about a water leak at church. I rushed up there and as we were getting things squared away, I got a call from my parents telling me about a significant decline in my grandmother’s health. Yesterday she was placed on hospice and today things began to significantly decline. I rushed back home, then we rushed to the hospital to say our final goodbyes. We were glad to have had this opportunity, but it’s never easy… Life continues to present us with heartbreaking challenges, but we understand that we were never meant to live down here forever anyway. Like Abraham, “We look for a city, with foundations (It’s real), who’s Builder and Maker is God.” Please pray for Margo at this time. Thank you so much. We are blessed
Hannah Helps 