The last time we were “here”, we were celebrating births and
birthdays. We’ve continued those
celebrations throughout the summer, trying to keep our heads above water as we
entertained, carted, cleaned, fed, clothed, comforted, and contained our
kids.
It was a fun summer…one that went by way too quickly. It was a hot summer…we may have spent more time inside than outside, as we tried to keep cool in way too many over 100 degree days. It was a blissful summer as we prepared for and celebrated two incredibly beautiful and meaningful weddings (more soon on those!). And it was a difficult summer, as we said good-bye (way too soon) to Jen’s beloved Dad.
It was a fun summer…one that went by way too quickly. It was a hot summer…we may have spent more time inside than outside, as we tried to keep cool in way too many over 100 degree days. It was a blissful summer as we prepared for and celebrated two incredibly beautiful and meaningful weddings (more soon on those!). And it was a difficult summer, as we said good-bye (way too soon) to Jen’s beloved Dad.
We have many things from this summer that we want to share
with you. We plan to do that, as we’ve
missed this blog and want to get started again after our (unintended)
sabbatical. For now, we’ll share a
little about two extra-special people in our lives…
LITTLE LAURYN
Today is Lauryn’s second birthday! I can’t believe she’s TWO. Two years have passed since the day she
blessed our lives. 730 days have passed
since she opened up a whole new world to us…a world of extra-wonderful things…a
world of new perceptions, acceptance and inclusion…a world of awesomeness.
This little girl has changed us. I think about the fear and anxiety I had two
years ago on this day – I was scared of Down syndrome. I didn’t know what to expect from Lauryn…or
from myself. I worried so much about her
future…our family’s future. I had NO
idea how one, tiny, beautiful 4 pound 11 ounce little girl could make our
wonderful lives so AMAZING…so AWESOME.
Those fears and anxieties from two years ago? They still creep up every now and then. But, all I have to do is look at Lauryn…and observe
her playing independently with her toys (or with "toys" - such as Mommy's cell phone - that she shouldn't have)…interacting with her siblings/other
kids and keeping up with all they are doing…communicating with others through
signs and words…walking (pretty much running) everywhere and getting into
everything!
She has taught us so much about love…about life…I can’t imagine our world without Lauryn.
More to come in future posts from Lauryn’s 2nd birthday...
DR. JEFFRY C. RENDEL.....DAD.....PA
Today it’s been 10 days since I lost my dad. I can’t believe he’s no longer physically
here with us. 27 days have passed since
he was admitted to the hospital…with what we first thought was a urinary tract
infection…but ended up being a fatal blood infection.
My dad was
AMAZING. He was AWESOME. He was a true example to me of strength,
faith, courage, dedication, perseverance, hope, love, selflessness and character. He was one of the most amazing men I have
ever known…or likely will know. I am
profoundly blessed to be able to call him Dad.
Dad touched
the lives of so many people. His
influence on me (and my children) was/is indescribable. He taught us so much about love…and
life. It’s difficult to imagine our
world without him. I know that he will always
be with me – I have found that to be true even in the short time since his
death…but, oh, how I miss his physical presence.
My dad dearly loved his grandchildren (9 of them as of
today). He had a special bond with each
of them…he was their “PA”. Lauryn loved
him dearly. So many of his traits are
within her…and she will certainly carry on his legacy in a special way.
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| Lauryn LOVES glasses - other peoples' glasses...she could always distract Dad by giving him her best smile or best kiss...then go in for the "GRAB" of his glasses... |
To read Dad's obituary, click HERE.
It was a beautiful day today – lots of sunshine…the perfect
temperature…blue skies…white puffy clouds.
We ended the day today doing one of Lauryn’s very favorite things…swinging. I could feel Dad’s presence as she squealed
and laughed with each push to go “higher”…hearing him say, “Happy Birthday,
Sweet Lauryn…I love you.” We love you,
too, Dad/Pa. Always.
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| Dad holding Lauryn when she was just a few days old... |
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| She's getting a hug straight from Heaven... |
