Big news in our house today!
HOPE SMILED!!!!
And not only did she smile for the first time. But she smiled for the FIRST TIME for her big brother, BRIAN!!! I'm so happy for him. This was the perfect scenario - for her to save her first smile for him. He was so excited and has been beaming about it this afternoon.
There's really not much I can write about this momentous occasion, so I'll let the photos show the story. I'm so happy that I just happened to be taking pictures of the two of them when it happened. Although I'm sure that was no coincidence. What a spirit lifter this was for me today.
Hope smiled... and here's how it went down:
Here it comes... wait for it...
THERE IT IS!!!!!!
And again!!!!
You can see that twinkle in her eye.
I wish you a smile that comes easy, Hope... for the rest of your life.
*** Gavin's Birthday Project update! Brian, Hope and I went to the bank this afternoon and came home with grateful hearts and three checks. The Gift of Life Family House, DuPont Hospital's Child Life Department and the Chester County Intermediate Unit (Gavin's Trust Project) will each receive a check for $1,232.10 thanks to those who donated to Gavin's Birthday Project! I know each of these organizations will put the money to good use. And I was grateful for yet another opportunity to model for Brian the importance of giving to others. At his age, he may not fully grasp the incredible and far reaching effects of his brither's life and death - and the way it has inspired so much good in so many. But I hope one day he will feel overwhelmed as he realizes how much was accomplished and how lives were changed all because of love.
Because we knew you, Gavin... we have been changed for good. Happy (Belated!) Sixth Birthday! We love you. We miss you. And now we'll see you in your sister's smiles.***
Beautiful!! What a blessing he was and continues to be. Thank you for sharing him with us.
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is Wow! That video is amazing!!!!! You are a strong person to handle this all the way you have. Never doubt that for a minute.
ReplyDeleteoh, Oh, OH!!! That's what I literally called out. SO precious, and SO wonderful that her first smile was for her amazing big brother. Couldn't have been more perfect.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I watch this video it makes me cry... with tears of happiness for the special times you got to share with Gavin, tears of sadness that you lost his physical presence and tears of empathy for you and Ed and all you've achieved, lost and now gained with Hope. Your children are the luckiest! They have you both there for them, no matter what happens in the future or past. xx
ReplyDeleteI love how she is reaching out to touch his arm to make sure he is paying attention to her before she smiles at him! So so sweet!
ReplyDeleteI HAVE NEVER CRIED AS MUCH AS I HAVE WATCHING YOUR STORY. I HAVE TO CONFESS I WAS OH A FEW MONTHS INTO YOUR STORY AS I PRAY FOR A SMALL GROUP OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. i NEVER EVEN KNEW THAT GAVIN PASSED UNTIL I SAW IT IN ONE OF YOUR POSTS. I WAS SO UTTERLY DEVASTATED THAT I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU. YOU SHARED THE GREATEST, WISEST, LOVE STORY THAT I WAS EVER APART OF. I AM IN AWE OF YOU AND HOW YOU CAME ACROSS TO ALL OF US HERE. GAVIN HAS HELPED TO HEAL ALL OF MY HURTS AND I AM SO GLAD YOU HAVE SHARED HIM. BRIAN IS THE BESTEST BROTHER THAT GAVIN COULD HAVE HAD AND NOW THERE IS HOPE. I LOVE YOU GUYS MUCH LOVES FROM OHIO <3 GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL :)
ReplyDeleteSo excited to see Hope smile at her sweet brother, Brian! And crying tears of mixed emotions again, as I watched the video of Gavin. Such joy as I watch the pure love between each and every one of you, and the happiness on Gavin's face as he FEELS the love. And sadness for the loss of his physical presence in this world, and the knowledge that this world needs more GAVINS to show people kindness, gentleness, innocence, and love. But we all know there will never be another like dear Gavin. He remains forever in your hearts (and ours). Thank-you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteKate, the pictures are so great. The video is painfully beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is just perfection that she would first smile at Brian - that she would exist at all. Wonders upon wonders proclaiming God's love. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe video...and the wicked reference...Elphie would be proud of your family.
ReplyDeleteI've watched this video more than once and it never gets old. How proud you must be of all your children. I am totally amazed at how far Gavin had come. Heaven definitely has a special angel. It saddens me Brian doesn't have his best friend here to share the job of being big brother to Hope. I know Brian will do a wonderful job though. I pray they have the relationship Brian and Gavin had. You could definitely see the love they had for each other.
ReplyDeleteWhat song is used in the video?
ReplyDeleteAll of it sooo very precious. Love, love, love the video and those songs.
ReplyDeleteMy three year old son caught me watching the video and was captivated by the boys. He asked if we could go to the beach and play with them. When I explained he had died and was with Jesus, he started crying saying "I want to play with him" and "I didn't get to say bye" even though he's never even seen anything about Gavin. I told him about the donation and Gavin saving other kids and he said "Wow...like a superhero!". After the video he asked to "pray" and told Gavin he was sorry they didn't get to play at the beach and to say hi to Jesus and have fun playing with Him. He then asked Jesus to take care of Gavin, finishing with "and thanks for Hope" before going on his way. Even little tykes are deeply moved by Gavin and Brian and your story. Thank you for sharing the love.
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