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.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Songs

I know that 'they' say that our sense of smell has the longest memory but I also believe that our memory for music, particularly certain songs and melodies, is amazingly long as well. Isn't it amazing how only the first few notes of a song can take us back to a different time and place?

Sometimes at the girls' dance class the instructor plays a hauntingly beautiful instrumental version of 'Land of the Silver Birch'. It doesn't matter what I am doing whether I'm reading a story or involved in a conversation, I am immediately distracted and holding Georgie in my arms if but for a few minutes. If Maya is feeling sad and missing her little sister she often takes out Georgia's musical seahorse or her aquarium and sits down to listen to the music.

Now that we have started to listen to Christmas Carols the flooding of memories only gets stronger. Calla, Maya and Georgie's favorite Christmas song last year was "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Calla and I could sing the whole song from memory which we often did for Maya and Georgia. The week leading up to Christmas last year Georgie was not very happy (quite gassy) and I can't tell you how many times we sung that song to her. It didn't matter how miserable she was feeling or how off key we sang, she ALWAYS smiled! As I have said before Georgie was just a musical baby and in turn she made us all musical.

The other day we heard the song "Do You Hear What I Hear?" for the first time this season. As I started to have flashes of Georgia's smiling face, Calla's lit up with a grin. She kind of got a serene look on her face and she said, "Hey mom, I know this song!"

It makes me sad to think that Calla and especially Maya's memories of Georgia will fade as time goes by. The other day as I watched Calla start singing the song softly to herself however, I realized that she was remembering. And, as long as we keep talking and singing they will always have memories of their baby sister that they can hold in their hearts.

Love to you all,

Kristen

4 comments:

  1. As I read this get what was playing in the background...."Do you hear what I hear?"...such timing! I too will now think of Georgia when I hear that song, she is smiling down.

    As far as memories for the girls, you are right, they do fade but the girls will always be filled with her love and see the love you have for Georgia. The fact that you talk about Georgia so openly and can tell them memories like about how she smiled when you and Calla sang to her are all things they will take with them as they grow up.

    You do an amazing job of keeping Georgia's memory and spirit alive, and Calla and Maya will take that with them forever.

    She is smiling down on you this holiday season, I hope you feel her love and comfort when you need it. We are all thinking of you today and always. Love Em

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  2. I am glad that they have those types of memories. I bet every time Calla hears that song her whole life she will remember. I agree with Em above me...I think you're doing a great job at keeping her memory alive...I know that someday Calla and Maya will thank you for that.

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  3. You are a remarkable person Kristen and i`m so happy to know that you and Mike have Calla and Maya to keep you going.Georgia will always be a part of their memories, as time passes some little thing will trigger a memory and with parents like you, so full of love, those memories won`t fade.I am praying that you will find a peace this Christmas that will leave you in a good place.Calla and Maya are two very active little girls and i enjoyed getting to know them when we met in Calgary this year. I bet you don`t have time to spare with them both. I hope Santa is good to them and that they have a great Christmas. My love to you and Mike i think of you almost daiy and hope that you continue on the road your on.
    God bless and have a lovely Christmas.
    Carol

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  4. I agree, a song can transport you in time to a place of happiness. I think it's God's way of giving us a little slice of our memories when we really need it.

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