Annie Golden Heart

This week has been hard.  Really. Really. Hard.  Last Wednesday morning, our little community lost sweet Annie.  Not much in this world is more devastating than losing a child.  I have to say that our "moms' group" has banded together in ways that I am so proud of and admire so deeply.  And though in some cases, the (now) 22,000+ people that follow Annie's page on Facebook acted rashly or offensively, I am ultimately proud of that too.  The Down Syndrome community is one of warriors and fierce advocates who have the power of technology to help in uniting the force against any injustice that might plague our little ones.  

Annie's service was beautiful.  We wore red flower bracelets in her honor, had our kids there to support us all, and released balloons that reminded us all that just because Annie can no longer be seen doesn't mean she isn't with us.  Her two older sisters were more courageous than I could even comprehend.

For now, I find myself imagining Annie with her angel wings, in a pink dress, giggling and dancing in Heaven, free from suffering and pain.  I know it is unimaginably hard for her family to wake up each morning without her, and how much hurt and anger they must feel.  I am so thankful to them for bringing Annie into all of our lives-- she was a brave, strong little girl that deserved many more painless days than she was given, but taught us to smile through it whenever possible, all the same.

We love and miss you, Annie Golden Heart.