Hi all:
Emily turned 2 last Sunday and is walking, running, trying desperately to jump (can't quite get the hang of both feet off the ground at the same time), talking, swimming -- the girl has endless energy, no fear, and great spirits. She asks about Hannah a lot in her own way, but doesn't seem to be actually grieving. I think she is still wondering if she will come back. We're doing what we can, with the help of an absolutely great, compassionate and wonderful therapist, to help her understand it on whatever level she is at. She had kind of gone on a nursing strike after the accident (partly because I was simply not there, being in intensive care and all) but gradually resumed about 3 weeks later, and still nurses in the a.m., for naps and before bedtime. Her nursing manners are ATROCIOUS and I'm really starting to think a bit about encouraging weaning, but I'm going to wait at least six months longer, since we're about to move (see below) and so many other changes are going on, I figure she needs the comfort and closeness right now.
DH found a job -- tenure-track faculty position at Youngstown State University in Ohio which starts in August. We sold our house in 2 days (after busting our butts for 3 weeks getting it ready to sell) and will hang out at my mom's for part of July before getting down to Ohio. BTW, surely I can't be the only mdc poster who will be in that area. I've tried to ask on the "Finding Your Tribe" board about good peds, etc. in Youngstown and NO replies. I do have a new acquaintance there who is a LLL leader, so she will probably be a good resource.
My injuries are fully healed too; some very brief and infrequent residual dizziness and a tendency to forget words or numbers in conversation. No headaches or other problems.
As for missing Hannah... that goes on. I think that I actually haven't accepted that she is dead. On some level I'm still waiting for her to come back -- I am just not ready to let her go. School ended Friday; that was hard. I went to her school's Field Day on Wednesday to help out and it was great to see the kids and her teacher (whom I adore), but it was still painful. Sometimes I think if I just go wait there at dismissal time, maybe she'll come out. Her birthday was very hard; Mother's Day was hard; Emily's birthday was very bittersweet because I know how enthusiastic Hannah would have been about getting Emily a present and making beautiful cards, helping with the cake, etc. She was so excited about Emily's first birthday last year. Most of her friends have turned six now, and looking down the years there will always be reminders of her loss. Even seeing all the kids in caps and gowns (our neighborhood had a bunch of seniors this year and there were TONS of open houses today) is sad, knowing she won't be there in 2016 with her class
Sorry for the novel. I also am deeply touched at some of the pm's I've gotten from some of you. It means a lot to know that people are thinking of us and praying for us.
Emily turned 2 last Sunday and is walking, running, trying desperately to jump (can't quite get the hang of both feet off the ground at the same time), talking, swimming -- the girl has endless energy, no fear, and great spirits. She asks about Hannah a lot in her own way, but doesn't seem to be actually grieving. I think she is still wondering if she will come back. We're doing what we can, with the help of an absolutely great, compassionate and wonderful therapist, to help her understand it on whatever level she is at. She had kind of gone on a nursing strike after the accident (partly because I was simply not there, being in intensive care and all) but gradually resumed about 3 weeks later, and still nurses in the a.m., for naps and before bedtime. Her nursing manners are ATROCIOUS and I'm really starting to think a bit about encouraging weaning, but I'm going to wait at least six months longer, since we're about to move (see below) and so many other changes are going on, I figure she needs the comfort and closeness right now.
DH found a job -- tenure-track faculty position at Youngstown State University in Ohio which starts in August. We sold our house in 2 days (after busting our butts for 3 weeks getting it ready to sell) and will hang out at my mom's for part of July before getting down to Ohio. BTW, surely I can't be the only mdc poster who will be in that area. I've tried to ask on the "Finding Your Tribe" board about good peds, etc. in Youngstown and NO replies. I do have a new acquaintance there who is a LLL leader, so she will probably be a good resource.
My injuries are fully healed too; some very brief and infrequent residual dizziness and a tendency to forget words or numbers in conversation. No headaches or other problems.
As for missing Hannah... that goes on. I think that I actually haven't accepted that she is dead. On some level I'm still waiting for her to come back -- I am just not ready to let her go. School ended Friday; that was hard. I went to her school's Field Day on Wednesday to help out and it was great to see the kids and her teacher (whom I adore), but it was still painful. Sometimes I think if I just go wait there at dismissal time, maybe she'll come out. Her birthday was very hard; Mother's Day was hard; Emily's birthday was very bittersweet because I know how enthusiastic Hannah would have been about getting Emily a present and making beautiful cards, helping with the cake, etc. She was so excited about Emily's first birthday last year. Most of her friends have turned six now, and looking down the years there will always be reminders of her loss. Even seeing all the kids in caps and gowns (our neighborhood had a bunch of seniors this year and there were TONS of open houses today) is sad, knowing she won't be there in 2016 with her class
Sorry for the novel. I also am deeply touched at some of the pm's I've gotten from some of you. It means a lot to know that people are thinking of us and praying for us.
