Remembering Leah - 1 week Later

I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I guess part of me was slowly preparing for the worse but never expected it to happen this soon. Not in a million years. One day we were celebrating Leah's life and the next she was gone. I'm very glad to have been part of it all! She really was a sweet child....

Her funeral was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. There was a huge room filled with people. Not a surprise - she had plenty of support from people who loved her. Row of people sat in the wooden benches, sitting in silence as the minister carried on. At the front of the room there was a small white casket surrounded by a pink light. Several flower arrangements stood next to her, as her parents sat in the front row unleashing their emotions as expected. My boyfriend and I stood at the back of the room and said no words. As parents ourselves, we could not imagine being able to do this. It was utterly the most painful thing to have to go through.

Shortly after some words, Leah's little casket was carried outside to a waiting black car. Beside the vehicle stood 50 pink and purple balloons. As they settled her into the back of the car and closed the door, the balloons were released into the sky. Everyone stood and watched as they floated up towards the clouds. We all watched as one of the balloons popped in the sky and then I felt a rain drop. Then another rain drop and then a few more. It wasn't just little drops either! for just a few minutes it rained and everyone stood under the roof of the funeral home and watched.
"Those are Leah's tears" I hear a lady say. How very true. Leah was watching all the people who came to support her, who came to show their love. She just wanted to give a sign that she was there, although we all knew :)

It is very hard to see or hear a parent having to bury their child. Unfortunately, it happens and we have to learn to move on. Leah will never be forgotten but she is definitely in a better place now. She is not suffering any more, she's a peace with her Grandparents. They say things happen in threes: Grandma, Grandpa and Leah - all passed away from cancer, all three years apart. Perhaps this is a sign of three (equivalent) things to come? I do wish Loni and Steve find peace in Leah's story. They still have Taylor who will live for both Leah and herself!