It's also the first time that the days of the week match up... Jan. 6 is a Friday this year, just like it was in 2012...
We have been reminiscing and re-reading parts of Determined to Matter to jog our memories about Shannon's final days. I am so grateful we have this written log so we don't forget any of it...
Remembering her smile and sassy personality, remembering her spirit and her fight, remembering the relief, anger and sadness we felt when her battle ended...
And remembering Erin's role in this, too... 5 years ago Dan drove Erin to school for another day of 6th grade... we called the school hours later and asked that someone bring Erin home. We were all together on that sunny January day as Shannon drifted away. Erin, 10 years old, sat on the bed with her sister and watched her take her last breaths. Sunny the Wonderdog was at her feet.
That experience has obviously shaped us all, but none more than Erin. There's a lot more growing up to do between ages 10 and 15 than there is between 42 and 47 or 48 and 53... she's navigating it better than we could have imagined...
But for today, we don't expect much from ourselves. We'll do some work and some school, but we'll also be together and recognize that we've survived - mostly in tact - to the 5 year mark.
Thank you to all who have been and continue to be a part of our journey. Grief and loss is a journey that never ends...
