Sisters

For the second straight year, we spent the second weekend of October in Zionsville, Indiana. Yesterday was my mom and dad's 44th wedding anniversary.  They, along with my sister spent the day with Hannah.  Hannah had a great day, she went to the zoo, got Chick-Fil-A, and pretty much had a Yes day with Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie.

The reason we went to Zionsville for the second straight October is not just because Hannah loves hanging out with her Aunt Megan, but because of the Our Hearts are Home Conference for Bereaved parents.  Last year, we first attended the conference just two months after Audrey passed.  One year later, the first day of the conference felt much different than one year before.  A lot has changed in one year.  The initial shock that we were sitting in a year ago has subsided and our grief has transitioned.  This year, instead of just participating, Amanda is on the steering committee.  We both have poured sweat and blood into causes that were important to Dree: The Superhero Center, Our Hearts are Home, and in December we will be attending the Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy conference.

The last time that Audrey spent in Zionsville was Mother's day weekend 2023.  We spent the weekend celebrating my 40th birthday and mother's day.  Audrey and Hannah had a blast at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.  If anybody with kids ever go through Indy, the Children's museum is a must, as it is phenomenal.  

As we were in the conference, I thought about Hannah often.  It's not often that both Amanda and I are away from Hannah from morning time until after dinner time.  Obviously, she goes to school daily, but its rare to be away for more than 8 hours.  We called her during a break in the conference to facetime just in case she needed to talk to us,  She did not, as she was having a blast. She even made it through the sting rays without a fit.  In 2021 (Our first visit to Indy),  Hannah had an epic meltdown at the sting ray tank as she was unable to control her frustration over not being able to touch a sting ray.   After the sting rays, they decided it was roller coaster time.  Aunt Megan got Hannah the unlimited ride pass, so she was more inclined to make Auntie sick than talk to mom and dad.

Oh yeah, PS- it was ZOO BOO at the Indianapolis Zoo, so Hannah was Zuko from Avatar and Korra.  It is relevant to mention that the last show Hannah, Mandy and Audrey watched together was Legend of Korra.  

As a family, we have visited Megan 7 times in Zionsville.  3 of those times were just overnights as we were travelling. The last 2 times that we have pulled into Megan's house since Audrey has left us (both around midnight after a longer than it should be drive on 94 and 65),  we pulled into Megan's house with a smile on my face as it the shutters in front of Megan's house remind me of this moment.  We pulled into Megan's house on August 11 after a memorable Disney trip.  The silliness that these 2 sisters had will always be the main memory I have when I am in Zionsville.

This morning, I got up and ran for a 6 mile run around Zionsville.  On my run, I ran past the park that Hannah and Audrey played at the day before Mother's day '23.

I also ran past the church that we will be meeting at later today at the conference.  I had to stop and wish "Happy Birthday Dree" at 5.29 miles of my 6 miles this morning.  

Any who, this post isn't about me going for a run.  This post isn't about me.  It's about sisters.  In late September, the Facebook holiday daughter's day passed for the second time without Audrey here.  Amanda did post something for our girls.

As a part of the conference, we were given a notecard to write down scripture that spoke to us.

On Friday night, we drove about 5 miles north of Zionsville to see if we could see the Northern lights like everyone from Rockford who saw them on Thursday or Friday.  We turned the camera settings on.  This is all we got.  

The last time that the Northern lights were visible was in early May.  We headed North to evade light pollution.  We headed to be with Audrey to see the lights.  From Audrey's cemetery, this is the view we got on May 11.  Compared to the pictures others saw this weekend, you have to strain your eyes to see the faint purple.  

 

At the conference, we were asked to write scripture that is relevant on a note card.  Lots of cards had psalms of lament or other prominent scripture regarding to struggle.  But after this weekend, all I could think of was sisters.  I chose Ruth 1:16-17  For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  I know that Ruth is Naomi's mother in law, not sisters.  But I have felt with Audrey's lovingness and willingness to seek out others, that if they weren't sisters, Audrey would have shared sisterly love towards Hannah.

As much as I love being in Zionsville, as our trip is wrapping up.  It is time to go home.  About 2 days is the perfect time for a trip.  Even in Croatia, we were gone a little long.  It's time to be with our people.  One day, we will see the Northern Lights, and Hannah will see it with her person.

For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.