Happy Birthday, Betsey Pearl.
May 04th, 2019 by G.
14 years ago my little daughter died of cancer. This is what I wrote on the birthday she never quite made it to that year, with slight updates since.
Today would be Betsey’s 18th birthday. She would be legally an adult today. She would have been driving her younger brothers and sisters for a few years, would be working on summer jobs. In the fall, college. We would be looking at her and thinking, they grow up so fast, we would be thinking, this could be our last summer with her. But instead, our last summer with her was long ago and far away.
Happy Birthday, Betsey Pearl.
Today our grief for you is fresh.
G.
May 4, 2019
I activated the Betsey Pearl page up on the top of the blog. It will be live for a few days in memory.
S.
May 4, 2019
My daughter was born today. I hope she gets to meet yours some day.
G.
May 5, 2019
Congratulations!
James
May 5, 2019
Thank you, G. I’ve reread your posts several times over the years and I am deeply touched each time. I have had the sentiment recur over the years that something like this may arrive in our family. I am not a natural worry wart, but the feeling is very similar to other spiritual impressions that have come to fruition over the course of my life. It is the reason i spend so much time with my girls, and have not obsessed over my career like a man in his late 20’s/early 30’s is supposed to.
Your example gives me hope that should I be asked to bear a burden this heavy, I may manage keep my testimony. God bless you, G.
Vader
May 6, 2019
As I’ve said before, there is no shame in continuing to mourn. This odd notion some of us seem to have that mourning is a task you complete and the move on from is profoundly inhuman.
James
May 6, 2019
@Vader, and this whole time I thought the black cape was about intimidation…
JRL in AZ
May 7, 2019
This commemoration makes me a better man every year. Thank you.
Vader
May 7, 2019
James,
I’ve worn it since the moment I learned of my wife’s death. Few have made the connection.