Welcome to Georgia's Journey

Georgia Lily Lucas was born at home on October 6th, 2008 4:15am, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She was diagnosed with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) on April 1, 2009.

On April 3rd Georgia was taken home, to be near her sisters and the rest of her family and friends. Nearly three weeks later, on April 21, 2009, she died peacefully -- in the loving arms of her mother and in the same room in which she was born.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Memorializing

Last night we made a stepping stone with the girls' footprints. Thanks for picking it up Mom! We agonized over what to do and what to write and in the end it was easy and perfect. It has 3 footprints of course, and then I wrote Sisters- Friends 4-ever. This is something that I have been saying to Calla since we found out we were pregnant with Maya. We've also stamped Georgia's feet and we've taken more pictures in the last couple of weeks than we would normally take in a year. The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographer has also come and we have some incredibly beautiful shots of our family (to be shared at a later date). My aunt is going to sew a quilt from Georgia's clothes. This will be something that I can cling to and cuddle up with when I'm feeling lost. Thank you Auntie! I plan on getting a locket so that I can keep Georgie's picture with me at all times but other than that I am running out of ideas and time. If you have any idea on how to memorialize our time with our sweet angel please send them.

Today Georgia came down to play for a few hours once again. She just woke up a while ago and we're hoping to bring her down for the evening. When she is down later in the day it feels almost normal.

A beautiful peace lily arrived today from the Plett family. This is a mother that I see once a week at Calla's dance class and shamefully I didn't even know her name. If you're reading this Candace I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I happen to love peace lilies. Thank you to the Ranick's who dropped off a fruit and veggie tray as well. It looks delicious. Another one of my friend's took some pictures and video of Maya dancing today because I no longer attend the classes. Thank you Kristine for you thoughtfulness. To all of you who continue to read and share our blog, who pray for Georgia, who have helped to feed us or run errands for us we continue to be grateful to all of you. All that we can promise is that when our time of need comes to an end we will pay it forward.

16 comments:

  1. You have wonderful ideas for keeping Georgia with you; I especially like the quilt one. What about planting a small tree and watching it grow in Georgias name? Some cities have in-city forests where one can purchase a small tree and place a plaque on the sapling with a persons name on it. It helps to beautify a city at the same time. Yours could be in your yard abd the girls could help plant and water it.

    Kate and John

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  2. Kristin & Mike

    Each day I read your comments, I cry- mostly because I am so happy that you are getting to spend another special & precious day with your beautiful baby girl!!

    And as I read your last comment-again I think to myself how special Georgia was to have you and Mike chosen to be her parents- so loving. The prayers & kindness you have been shown by so many people is because you have already touched their lives in ways you likely are so unaware of....you both are very special people!!! Our need to surround ourselves with family and friends never ends.

    Thinking & praying for you all!

    Love Ron, Donna & Mandi

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  3. The stepping stone is a wonderful idea and commemorative for Georgia.

    Our family plants a tree on our property at our family cottage as a memory of our passed loved ones.

    Other things you may want to do is keep a lock of Georgia's hair and/or bronze a pair of her booties.

    The quilt is a wonderful treasure for you especially being made by your aunt with all her love put into every stitch.

    Always thinking of you all and praying for Georgia to have good days with you.

    Sue

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  4. Hi Kristen,

    Further to a previous post, the tree idea is a great way to honour all of your children. We have planted 3 trees for my children in our backyard (2 girls and a boy). I ensured that I got one that bloomed pink petals in the spring/summer - for the girls (i.e., ornamental crab), and white blooms to symbolize my son. We are also going to do a handprint stepping stone to put in front of each tree (and their name signed in it) for them as well. A tree in your backyard may be a nice, as you will always be able to look out of your window to see it, and remember. The quilt idea is absolutely beautiful. I know a company also does hand casting (Wee Piggies and Paws???) or you can get hand print bronzing on a plaque from another company (sorry, don't know the name). Find out if you can get a picture video or photo album scrapbook of your portrait session from NILMDTS. If not, Jennifer does them, and I got one from a family portrait session we did, it is absolutely beautiful! I know others in similar situations also have a lock of baby's hair for remembrance. We have also done a time capsule with our kids as well.

    What you and your family are doing to remember your daughter is truly beautiful, and we can all learn from it. I so hope that it helps you and your family as well when times are difficult to bear.

    In these crazy, busy times, I thank you for teaching us all about focusing on what truly is important.

    Sharlene Rollwagen

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  5. I agree, the stepping stone is a perfect idea! Thank you for sharing your day to day thoughts and events. For all the lives little Georgia has touched, I am sure for every moment, each day there is someone, somewhere thinking and praying for her and her family!
    Sending our love and kisses, as we keep her in our prayers,
    the Heise's.

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  6. Oh I am so happy you had someone come out from NILMDTS. That is an amazing organization.
    What a precious idea to do the stepping stone and I love what you put on it.
    Still praying for your family and your sweet little Georgia.

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  7. Its Impossible to even begin to understand what your family is going through-but your words, and strength are inspirational.

    I do not know your family, but heard of your beautiful baby girl through Friends, and we include her, and your entire family in our prayers every night.

    Thank you for sharing your story-
    God Bless

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  8. Hi Kristen,
    Read your blog entry earlier and your ideas and those mentioned in today's comments are wonderful.

    To add to your memories, we were thinking of having "Greorgia's Journey" (the blog) published as a book for your family to keep.

    Who knows how long these blogs will remain "on-line" in years to come? But, as a book, you will have a tangible record of this time to share with Calla and Maya through the years to come; to help them understand all that has happened, and recall what an incredible sister and parents they have. And, of course, to serve as a
    memory of the tremendous outpouring of emotion, support and spirit shown by this growing community.

    We were going to talk to you about this idea later, but since you asked, now seemed like as good a time as any.

    Keeping you all in our prayers,
    Glen, Jenn, Tinsley, Carling and Mairin

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  9. Hi Kristen and Mike

    You have some wonderful ideas to keep your precious Georgia close to your hearts.People are so genuinely holding you all close to their hearts.They have given you some beautiful ideas to keep Georgia`s memory alive. I especially like Glen`s idea of putting everything in a book for you.Your family is so loved, you are surrounded by great friends, family.I only wish i could be their for you, you all will be forever in our prayers.

    Love to you all

    Caroland Colin

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  10. Dear Kristen, Mike, Calla, Maya and Georgia,

    The tears are flowing as I read your comments and all the wonderful ideas people have come up with here. Love your 'stepping stone', what a special memory for you all. We have one of our beautiful grandchildren's 'hands' and it is in a special spot in our flower garden. We also did the bronzed shoes for Rick and Mike...an old fashioned idea, but you know the little ones love to see and touch the wee shoes that their Daddy and Uncle wore... I am pleased that you welcome the Memory Quilt idea. I look forward to putting it together and I hope it will hold precious memories for all of you of your little Angel, Grorgia...

    Love, Auntie Mary Lynn, Uncle John and family

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  11. Dear Kristen and Mike! My tears are flowing too.. I love all the great ideas..planting a tree, making a quilt! My grandmother would sew quilts with fabric used to make clothing for us...I am so happy that Georgia is still with you and adding to your memories. When my mom died, we denied her death.. we wouldn't let her talk about it because we figured it would never happen to us. You are doing the right thing by reaching out to your family and friends. You are honoring Georgia by sharing he journey with us all. You are now part of my daily routine... I look forward to hearing from you and Èi am always impressed and humbled by the love, kindness and generosity you show to all who surround you!
    Love, Marie-Josée

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  12. What great ideas. I love the quilt idea.
    I once saw on Martha Stewart where they traced a child's hand 3 times, over a period of a few years to show the growth, so you ended up with a hand inside a hand inside a hand. Instead of doing this with one child's hand, you could trace Georgia's hand, then Maya's hand, then Calla's hand overtop on a nice piece of paper then mat and frame it. You could also put a picture of the girls on the same paper.

    When I searched for the idea on Marth's website, this idea showed up:

    http://www.marthastewart.com/article/hand-tracing?autonomy_kw=trace%20hands&rsc=header_2

    It's a similar idea, but instead of the hands being traced one on top of the other, they're in a row. You could trace each girl's hand on the paper (that is, if you can keep those busy hands still long enough to trace them!), then mat and frame it. In this example, they trace the hands on different coloured paper then cut them out.

    You might even want to make a couple of them, that way Calla and Maya could each have their own keepsake.

    Renelle

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  13. A poem for you Kristen...



    What Makes A Mother?

    I thought of you and closed my eyes
    And prayed to God today
    I asked "What makes a Mother?"
    And I know I heard Him say.

    "A Mother has a baby"
    This we know is true
    "But God can you be a Mother,
    When your baby's not with you?"

    "Yes, you can," He replied
    With confidence in His voice
    "I give many women babies,
    When they leave is not their choice.

    Some I send for a lifetime,
    And others for the day.
    And some I send to feel your womb,
    But there's no need to stay."

    "I just don't understand this God
    I want my baby to be here."
    He took a deep breath and cleared His throat,
    And then I saw the tear.

    "I wish I could show you,
    What your child is doing today.
    If you could see your child's smile,
    With all the other children and say...

    'We go to Earth to learn our lessons,
    Of love and life and fear.
    My Mommy loved me oh so much,
    I got to come strait here.

    I feel so lucky to have a Mom,
    Who had so much love for me.
    I learned my lessons very quickly,
    My Mommy set me free.

    I miss my Mommy oh so much,
    But I visit her every day.
    When she goes to sleep,
    On her pillow's where I lay

    I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek,
    And whisper in her ear.
    Mommy don't be sad today,
    I'm your baby and I'm here.'

    "So you see my dear sweet ones,
    your children are okay.
    Your babies are born here in My home,
    And this is where they'll stay.

    They'll wait for you with Me,
    Until your lesson's through.
    And on the day that you come home
    they'll be at the gates for you.

    So now you see what makes a Mother,
    It's the feeling in your heart
    it's the love you had so much of
    Right from the very start

    Though some on earth may not realize,
    you are a Mother.
    Until their time is done.
    They'll be up here with Me one day
    and know that you are the best one!"


    Stacey, Dean ,Ariel, and Isaac

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  14. Well, after reading that poem the tears are really flowing! All the ideas you have had, and been suggested are wonderful. I love stepping stones and your sounds perfect and the quilt will be wonderful to wrap yourself up in when you need to be 'surrounded' by Georgia. As for the lock of hair if you do choose to keep one you could use that, a shoe and a small teddy Georgia loved to create a shadow box; buy a bench and have an engraved plaque maybe with your "Sisters-Friends 4Ever" and the girls names underneath on it or something with all of your names on it for your yard or a park nearby if the city will allow; release balloons for Georgia-you could do this now with her and then on her bday each year since she loves them so much and I also love the planting a tree idea-something the whole family could all partake in. I will certainly let you know if I can come up with anymore.
    I hope you are enjoying a sunny day there in Winnipeg today and seeing many more beautiful smiles from your angel. As always we will be thinking of you and sending our love. Love Bruce and Em

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  15. It sounds like you have some wonderful ideas for memorializing Georgia.

    I don't know you personally, (we attend the same church as Blues and Pletts) but my heart goes out to you and your family. We will be praying for you as you enjoy these days with Georgia and for later, as you let go.

    I'm not sure if you've heard the story of Angie Smith - but you may find comfort (now or later) in reading her blog some time. She is a gifted writer and likely knows every emotion you are going through right now. http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com

    Thank you for your willingness to share openly and honestly during this intense struggle. We will continue to pray for you every day.

    Would you mind if I posted a prayer request for your family on my blog?

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  16. kristen,
    i love all your ideas they are wonderful. when we had a miscarriage we went to one of the local nurseries and planted a tree. we also bought a little angel birdbath and had it in our backyard so we could all enjoy it. we are all thinking of you and love the photos and stories of georgia laughing and playing with her sisters.
    love,
    Traci, deven and family

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