So much to tell and so much love..

4/29/2020

So, I don’t blog very often these days, but I am up at 4am writing this because I cannot sleep.  Once again I am in my thoughts of another important unforgettable day.  Ellie’s wake or should I say celebration of life.  I think I was stronger this day last year then I am today.  Ellie gave me so much strength and I don’t know if It truly felt real. Just thinking about the loss of Ellie gets my heart beating faster and tears just roll down my face.  I am so proud of her I just wish I would have told her this more often.  Luckily Dave’s grief doesn’t affect him in the same way as he is working every day right now and no sleep would not make for a good workday.

A dear friend Barbara Garcia took photos at Ellie’s celebration of life and just now is the first time I was able to even open them. I might be bias, but I really feel like Ellie’s wake was the most extraordinary special wakes I have every been too.  From the 30 something posters of photos, to all the comfort dogs lined up for all to pet and enjoy, to the 2-hour line nonstop, to the entire Police and Fire Department coming in and giving their respects.  I just remember non-stop from 2- after 10pm.  I remember not even going to the bathroom.  I cannot thank Terri O’Neil for helping plan this amazing event enough, I cannot thank Calvary Church for letting us have Ellie’s Wake there because a funeral home would be too small, I cannot thank Ellie’s Kindergarten teacher enough for getting all the comfort dogs to the church for all to enjoy, This can go on forever as so many people made this a very special memorable day.  I just wish Ellie was there to see it.  I know she was looking down but to be there in person and feel the love of so many.  I gestated over 1200 people coming to see Ellie and show their respects.

I remember sitting in the hospital and Ellie still was on the machines we already knew we would be taking her off life support but wanted to give the family the opportunity to spend some time with her.  I remember sitting in the rocking chair in the family room and telling Terri and my family we need to plan her service.  I think I felt so helpless that this was something I could have a little control over.  To this day I find it so strange that I was planning her funeral before she even passed.  Terri O’Neil made the entire thing a piece of cake she knew who to call what to do and how to make it all work. I cannot thank her enough for dropping everything and coming to the hospital that day to help and be my Chaplin.  I miss Ellie everyday but to see the impact she has had on this small part of the world has really helped me get through each day.  Please consider doing a RAK today, tomorrow, this weekend in Ellie’s Memory and post it on the #elliestrong Facebook page.  These posts help me heal they help me see that Ellie was here to make a difference, she suffered, she passed so that her spirit, love, and kindness can live in each of you.

My Immediate family got together and purchased 40 boxes of Ellie’s favorite Cereal and donated them to Hope and Friendship for delivery to families in need of food here in Lemont. Doing something kind really helps the heart and I think I get more out of it then the person receiving the RAK (random act of Kindness) Please remember RAK’s do not have to involve money it can be as simple as cutting your neighbor’s lawn or helping in some small way to make the world a better place.  Everyone can use a pick me up right now as most of us are cooped up inside right now and trying to survive this epidemic.

For the Month of May, Ellie’s sweet 16 Birthday Month.  If you have the means please consider purchasing an Elliestrong Lawn Sign and display it proudly in honor of Ellie.  They are front and back and cost $6 for pickup in Lemont, $10 for Delivery to Lemont.  All proceeds from Deliveries will go the #elliestrong forever foundation helping families fighting cancer “Live on, Follow their Dreams”

Although we cannot celebrate like we had hopped due to COVID we still can show our support with Green for the Month of May. Thank you everyone for helping Ellie’s Memory & Spirit live on.

I put on here the Flyer for Hope and Friendship of families in need and items they are looking for donations (you can even shop wish list on amazon I will include the link below) and will include the link to purchase signs.  Right now it will be pickup in Lemont or Delivery in Lemont for the #Elliestrong signs.

Ellie's favorite Cereal donated to families in need in honor of our sweet Ellie RAK someone today, be the kind in this world. Thank you to my Mom and Step Dad for purchasing all the Boxes of Cereal in Ellie's Name.