Happy birthday Cora!

Dear Cora,

I can't believe it's been four years.  It seems like it's been so long, my memory of you feels like it's so dim sometimes.  The impact you've left in my life will never fade, however.  I think about you every day.  Your little sister and brother bring such joy into my life, but I sometimes can't help but wonder what life would be like if you had been able to stay.

I know the work you are doing is important though, and I know that we will be reunited some day.  What a glorious day that will be.  The life expectancy for a woman born my year is about 84 years, so I have about 57 more years to go before I see you again.

I am happy, as much as I can be, with my life as it is now.  Though I don't understand fully why, I have accepted that you couldn't stay with us.  But I still miss you, and on days like today I miss you most.  There is a quote that I love and that I hold on to:

"First, please know that grief is the natural by-product of love. One cannot selflessly love another person and not grieve at his suffering or eventual death. The only way to avoid the grief would be to not experience the love; and it is love that gives life its richness and meaning. Hence, what a grieving parent can expect to receive from the Lord in response to earnest supplication may not necessarily be an elimination of grief so much as a sweet reassurance that, whatever his or her circumstances, one’s child is in the tender care of a loving Heavenly Father."
~Lance B. Wickman

I will love you forever, angel girl.  That means I'll miss you for the rest of my life.  I hope you have a happy birthday, whatever you're doing.

Love always,

~Mommy~