Forget-Me-Not

I have avoided writing the last few days as my ability to focus has gone downhill along with my mood. One of the reasons for this is that Mike's request for stress leave was denied despite the doctor saying that he definitely needs some more time. A registered letter arrived Wednesday morning telling him that he is to report back to work next week or no longer be paid. I guess that burying your daughter isn't stressful enough for his company to give someone time. Needless to say I was so angry that I could have spit! Mike became a stressed out mess not sure of even how to proceed. With the help and guidance of some friends he has decided to appeal. We'll see what happens!

On a more positive note the lovely staff at Lacoste's Garden Centre have set us up with someone to come and help design the backyard, the most important part being Georgie's garden. I know that some of you wonder how I spend my time. Sometimes I find myself driving down St Mary's heading out to the garden centres. I actually find peace there. There is nobody to bug you and you are surrounded by thousands of beautiful flowers. On Sunday, Maya and I were there walking the aisles. I had just finished telling her that we weren't going to buy anything when we both started admiring these tiny pink flowers. I actually had no idea what they were until I read the tag. Forget-Me-Nots. So, Maya and I marched back out to get a cart and threw a few in.

I know that many of you have been expecting to see me and yet I still find it hard to go out. I am still seeking solitude. I have some almost good days and some really bad days at this point. I only answer the phone when I feel like talking and I rarely call people back. Forgive me but this is where I'm at. So far, I have managed to take the girls to gymnastics on Monday, that was an almost good day. I have left the other activities to others or left them alone completely. If you have emailed me and I haven't emailed back it's because I often find it hard to concentrate, not because I don't appreciate your messages.

Thank you Candace for the Ellen t-shirt. The message on the front seems amazingly appropriate and I will wear it with pride. Thank you Kimmy for your amazing fundraising and the tree planting ideas. It will be a great day! Thank you again Victoria. Stay strong!

Love to you all,

Kristen

Georgia on my Mind

In my last post I didn't thank all of you for visiting Georgia's grave. I know that there were quite a lot of you that went and that continue going. I think that it's fabulous that you feel connected to our sweet little girl. Kim, please tell Jesse that I absolutely love his flower in the ziploc bag and with his permission would like to keep the rock so that some of Georgia's other little friends may leave her pictures too. What a brilliant idea!

I have many more thank yous today. Thank you to Peggy Glassco, owner and head coach of Gymkyds for the fundraiser for Children's Hospital in Georgia's memory. Thank you to my mom who is having the SMA petition site posted in her church bulletin and hopefully the Great West Life newsletter. Thank you to my dear friend Krista for spreading the message to hundreds of nurses here in Canada and thousands in the U.S. Thank you to Dr. Darrin for allowing us to post something in his office and his own ideas for fundraising in Georgia's name.

My next plan includes hitting the pavement. There's nothing like old fashioned footwork (pretty sure that's how Erin Brokovich worked). I am going to start going door to door, introducing myself and simply asking them to sign the petition. I'm going to take it slow but plan on hitting most of Island Lakes in time. In my opinion, the petition is not being signed fast enough. Door to door may seem slower but I believe it hits home when you have to look a grieving mother in the eyes. The same mother that takes her children to the local park and goes for walks around the neighborhood. How do you say no?

Thank you to all of you that continue to leave messages or email privately. I hadn't listened to Georgia (the song) in a long time and just listened to it 3 times as I've been sitting here writing. It's very soothing.

Love to you all,

Kristen

Balloons

Glen captured these pictures of the balloon release from Georgia's funeral last Monday. (he actually created this draft post the same day ... shame on me for not releasing it sooner!)

Getting ready ...

And away they go !

A legion of angels !

One last balloon hung around in a tree ... Funny story, there were actually three hanging around (purple, yellow/white, and pink). While they were all still there, Kristen's aunt turned to her and said, "Watch, I bet the other two will go and the pink one will stay just a little longer." And it did.

Thank you to everyone who took part and especially to all those who brought their children on Monday. We realize the funeral was not an easy thing to attend let alone to bring kids, but the presence of little ones lifted our spirits and made the day a lot more bearable.

- Mike (with Glen)