One of Adam's Uncles is a priest. He lives in Cambodia and works with the deaf there through Maryknoll. He comes back to the States a few times a year. We had wanted him to preside over the memorial and we were lucky that it all worked out that he was not only in the States but in Louisville this weekend. Through many calls and emails throughout the week we set everything up for today.
It was a beautiful day and we were lucky enough to be surrounded by 16 members of our family and close friends. We met at the cemetery around Madeline's grave at 3:30 this afternoon. We chatted and had some introductions and then Adam's Uncle started the memorial.
He started by introducing himself and why we were there today. He talked about how none of us really knows what heaven is like, but we know it's there and that Madeline will be waiting for us. Then Adam's Mom did a reading from Mark. He then used incense to bless her grave and talked about the symbolism of the incense. After he led us in some prayers and asked for comfort for all of us in our journey towards healing. To be honest it's all kind of a blur, but it was beautiful and wonderful and meant so much to Adam and I. I'm so thankful that everything worked out that Adam's Uncle was able to come and do this and that so many of our family and friends were able to join us on such short notice. It all seems like it was meant to be from her marker being placed, to Adam's Uncle being in town, to the beautiful day we had today after so much rain and gloom. It was such a comforting way to celebrate and remember our daughter and her brief life. Seeing so many people who loved her gathered together and knowing it truly was only a handful of the total was humbling and so wonderful. It reminded me of something a friend had told me about a month after she was born. While Madeline didn't have a long life, for the entire time she was alive she was surrounded by love and that's not something everyone gets.
After the memorial we had everyone over to our house to eat and enjoy each other's company. It was nice to have so many people in our house that love us and care about us. Our families and friends all blended well together and I think we all enjoyed having this time to be with one another even if we all wished it was for a different reason. It meant so much to us to be surrounded in the cocoon of love and support. There are few other times I can remember our home feeling so full of love.
While I still hold that October is not so fun and I wish it would hurry up and be over (next weekend especially), I found so much comfort in today and am so very thankful for all of you who were there in person and in spirit.
Madeline's marker after the memorial today
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