Chasing Rainbows: Our Hearts Are Filled With Hope...

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Our Hearts Are Filled With Hope...

"So, Brian - what's your favorite part about having a little sister?"

"I love her," he replied very seriously.

"And what's your favorite part about being a big brother?"

"I can tell her things and teach her how to build with blocks and tinkertoys. And I can tell her about Darth Vader and the stormtroopers. And I can read to her. Let's read her my new "Frozen" book, Mommy!"

"Ok!" I replied.

"She knows I can't read, right?" he asked.

"I don't think she cares, Brian. She just loves being with you."

"Mommy, when Hope gets bigger will she miss Gavin like I do?"

"Well... I bet once she finds out what a great boy he was - and what a great brother he was to you - I bet she'll feel sad that he's not here with us! And I also think that she'll love him - even though he's not here - because of all the memories we'll share with her and the photos and videos we have."

"Hey Brian - do you think Hope has figured out that Mommy takes a lot of pictures yet?"

{laughing} "Mommy takes a LOT of pictures, Hope!!!!!!"

"Let's take some pictures of her now!! Will you help me get her to smile?"

"SURE!"

And then... this happened.

Our minds might be filled with questions and anger and sadness and grief and loneliness at times.

But there's no denying - ever - that our hearts are filled with Hope.

11 comments:

UnknownJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:00 PM
I love the way hope was looking at him. you can see loves her big brother already. and Brian he is just so handsome. I hope he knows that he is a special brother.
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Peg HJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:19 PM
They are both so beautiful. I adore the pictures of both of them together. Thanks for sharing so many pictures -- makes my heart happy!
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olderthanedwardJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:30 PM
Hope is so beautiful! And the absolute adoration she has for Brian is easy to see. She is so content. Way to go Leong family! Love and light! ~Mary in SC
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WenJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:32 PM
Perfection. Pure and simple. <3!
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Melissa HitchcockJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:32 PM
So happy you have your little girl to help your family feel better. She is your bright side.
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UnknownJanuary 29, 2014 at 10:57 PM
Awww. Hope is so lucky to have such a loving, giving, compassionate, thoughtful and HANDSOME brother. Thanks for sharing.
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Shelly CunninghamJanuary 30, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Brian's grief for Gavin fills me with such sadness for you as a mommy. How hard it must be for you to bear his pain, let alone your own.
God bless you and your beautiful family.
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LindaJanuary 30, 2014 at 1:34 AM
Those smiles are SO precious!
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UnknownJanuary 30, 2014 at 7:42 AM
Oh my they r so sweet.... just love the way she looked at Brian when he was reading.... and Hope is just the cutest little girl. She has quite the smile, enough to melt your heart..... :)
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TLL2009January 30, 2014 at 9:55 AM
Brian is so sweet, handsome and funny. Hope is adorable <3
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AnonymousJanuary 30, 2014 at 4:23 PM
Sweet, sweet children! Brian gets more handsome every day & Hope is a cutie-pie!
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Gavin's Playground Project

Gavin's Playground Project was born from my desire to see an "All Abilities" playground built at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. This is the hospital where Gavin spent a lot of time during his life... and where he ultimately died, surrounded by friendly and familiar faces. To mark the one year anniversary of his death, I held a fundraiser on April 5, 2014. You can read all about it in THIS post.

We raised a LOT of money, but not enough for a playground! If you would like to contribute to help make this playground a reality - so no kids will ever have to sit on the sidelines watching their peers play - you can contribute directly to the hospital through the Chasing Rainbows fundraising page HERE. Your donation will go directly to the hospital for the playground and is tax deductible. You can also create your own fundraising team page and start collecting donations in honor of anyone you want!! There is also a mailing address on their page if you prefer to mail a check. Designate your contribution in memory of Gavin Leong - or write in that this is for the playground so your dollars will go to the right place. Thank you for your support of Gavin's Playground Project!

Gavin's Trust Project

I created "Gavin's Trust Project" to help support Gavin's friends who receive services from the Chester County Intermediate Unit in Pennsylvania. I wanted to continue to try to "make the impossible... possible" for kids like Gavin, knowing well how hard it can be to get much needed "special needs" items. It makes me happy to know that even after his death, Gavin continues to help others. Click HERE to learn more about the Trust Project! All of your donations, big and small, will be added to Gavin's Trust Project to help therapists and teachers get what they need for children in this program. You can write a check made out to CCIU and mail it to: Chester County Intermediate Unit, c/o Deb Hiller, 455 Boot Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. Please be sure to add "Gavin's Trust Project" in the memo. Thank you on behalf of me and my little superhero!