Saturday, September 20, 2008

Remind me

I never stop thinking of Jack, really, not for more than a second. Even if I wanted to (which of course, I don't...) there are so many little reminders of him, everywhere, and I love every one of them. I love seeing them and thinking "Jack".

The 3 little penguins that we bought at the gift shop at CHoP, one for each of the babies. The girls love them, they grab them off the couch and hug and kiss them....



The beautiful quilts my mom made from Jack's crib bedding that we keep on the glider in the nursery. She made two, one for Charlotte and one for Katie. When we sit in the glider and rock back to sleep in the middle of the night, we wrap one of the quilts around us...





I put Jack's pictures up in the corner of the nursery where his crib was, with some little butterflies around them.



The girls are fascinated with them - they love these pictures. Every morning when I take one of them out of bed and put her on the changing table they wiggle around to turn and look at Jack, and wave and smile. We say 'Hi Jack!! Good morning Jack!!' All day, whenever they get dressed or changed, there's Jack, and he gets a big smile and a wave.





I want thinking of Jack to be something that's happy for the girls . I want them to love the quilts and use them and be happy when they see them, feel safe when they're wrapped up in them. I want them to always see Jack's picture and smile, see the little penguins and laugh and hug and kiss them.

I want them to wake up every morning, just like I do, and say "Good Morning Jack!"

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are all very wonderful reminders of your Jack. Thanks for posting :) Lisa

Anonymous said...

It's like they are looking at Jack and thinking about all of the good times they had together in mommy's belly. They love their brother and they will never forget him. I am sorry you have to endure this pain everyday. I am so sorry. Jack will always be a part of you and the girls and PJ. He'll be their guardian angel and protect them always-that's what brothers do.

Christi said...

Thanks for sharing. I love the reminders you have created for the girls.

Christa said...

I love that the girls are so connected to Jack. They will always be close in their hearts:) I notice that the Tylenol bottle is a hit in your house, too..lol. It is sometimes the ONLY thing that will keep them still when I change them. I'm starting to think maybe I shouldn't encourage playing with a medicine bottle..but it WORKS darn it!

Anonymous said...

The pictures of the girls smiling at Jack have to be one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. And those quilts are beautiful, your mom is so talented.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

it sounds like you have done a wonderful job so far, of making reminders of jack happy ones, with so many little things that you and the girls greet with a smile every day. i love it all!

by the way, the tylenol bottle is a favorite around here too :)

mrsgingergrl said...

LOL... yes, the Tylenol bottle is the big bribe.. it keeps them from literally jumping off the changing table. PJ tells me not to let them have it, but it's only for a minute.... a Mom's gotta do what a Mom's gotta do.. glad I'm not alone!! :)

Star said...

I just lost my husband three weeks ago after a bad car accident. We were only married 6 months but I find so many things that remind me of him. I'm trying to find the joy & smiles when I find these things.
I've been watching your blog for months and now I feel some connection to you.

Beth said...

Beautiful post. Gorgeous kids!

Alana said...

What special ways you have to help the girls remember Jack!

Continuing to think of you and your family.

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

I think about Jack a lot too and I only know you from your blog. The reminders are beautiful and your little precious daughters will always love their brother.

Busted said...

I love that the girls are so enamored of Jack's pictures. The happiness and love you're building around his memory will last their whole lives.

Anonymous said...

P.S. My son loves the tylenol bottle too! It's a good "toy" to use during diaper changes!

Anonymous said...

Jack will always be remembered and love..I love the pictures on the wall of Jack.

Gwen Papp said...

I love this post. :) I love the quilts, and the pictures of Jack on their wall. One of my favorite things about having multiples is the relationship that they have with each other. I love that you're building that for your daughters, and not leaving Jack out. What an honor to his memory to remember him with joy.

Paige said...

what an absolutley beautiful way to remember Jack! Your children are so blessed to have you as their mommy! Your strength and compassion is something that all moms should strive for!

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet. The girls are looking like little ladies these days. I cant believe it. Hope you are doing well. Cant believe time has flown by and you will be a mom of toddlers soon.

Bren said...

What beautiful memories you and your family will always have of your special little angel boy. When I first saw your site I cried when I read it. You & PJ have 3 very beautiful children. And I'm sure the girls will always remember their brother.
God bless you and your family

Diana Lopez said...

I am sure they will always remember Jack...Gd bless you and your family.

Diana Lopez said...

I am sure they will always remember Jack...Gd bless you and your family.

Mommy2Twinkies-Deb said...

What a lovely way to keep the memories of Jack for your girls. I love it.

Randi said...

Praying

Millicent said...

You never fail to amaze me Megan. You are doing a wonderful thing for your girls and Jack. What courage and grace you show.

Michelle said...

What a wonderful idea about making his bedding into quilts for the girls! I also love the idea of putting his pictures up where his crib was and having them talk to him! I think you're doing a great job!Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful memories you have of Jack. I love the pictures on the wall and the blankets. I can already tell that his memories are making the girls very happy. It's a great tribute to him and his spirit and I'm sure you're girls will think of their own way to honor him when they get a bit bigger. It'll be lovely to see.

Anonymous said...

You don't have to worry - Charlotte and Katie will always remember their brother because their Mom and Dad will always include Jack in every day life. Jack will surround them forever and everyday they see pictures of him and growing up everyday with him around them they will never forget their little brother. Keep up the good work. :)

Elle Charlie said...

Sounds like they will think of Jack happily, thanks to you helping them to do that :)

Jody said...

I love the looks on their faces as they look at those pictures... they love their brother already!

Parcells Custom Painting said...

That is amazing Megan, truly wonderful that the girls still feel connected to Jack. The quilts your mother made are beautiful & I'm sure the girls will cherish them always.

Anonymous said...

I lost my mom when I was little and I always would pray to her since I thought she could give my message to God. It seemed that she was closer and it would give her a reason to chat with him each time I prayed.

I love how you remind the girls of Jack and how special a part of them he is. They are beautiful and happy and a true example of their brother!

Good job!

Rachel said...

what a beautiful post. I LOVE that your girls love to look at their brother jack.

No doubt they will love him dearly their whole life. Because you do.

Anonymous said...

Wow.....you're girls are so lucky to have great parents like you and your husband.
Those quilts are beautiful and such a great reminder of an awesome little boy.
I know there's a star out there that you feel is Jack's light shining on you all. I read this Eskimo proverb and thought of you:

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy...."

Take care...

Anonymous said...

Will be thinnking of you on Monday at Jack's Golf Tournament. My thoughts and prayers are with you that you have a very successful day and raise lots of funds for those babies that need it. Hope you will be able to post some pictures from the event. God Bless you, PJ and your beautiful girls.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know that I have followed your story for quite a while now, I don't know though if I have ever commented. But as a woman who has struggled through 7 years of infertility treatments and 4 pregnancy losses I feel a slight connect. I wanted to tell you that for the past 2 Fridays
Jacks song has came on my woek radio at almost the same time of day. Around noon. For whatever reason, when I have heard Alicia start singing I have thought of and prayed for you and youe family. Just wanted you to know how much your story has touched lives.....Stephanie in KY

Patyrish said...

Ugh the pictures of the girls touching/looking at Jack's pictures gave me tears and chills. I love that they WILL know their brother all of their lives.

BEAUTIFUL.

Erika said...

Hello,
You don't know me...I just happened to stumble upon your blog, not really sure how-but I did. I have to tell you I spent the entire morning at work reading your story. I'm choking back tears and trying to pretend to work. You are an amazing woman and your family is just beautiful. Jack is truly an angel, and I will always remember him and your story.

I have twin girls too-14 months:) Aren't they the best!? --Most days, hee hee.

I just wanted to say hi and thank you for inspriring me today.

erika

Lindsay said...

this is a beautiful post. i hope jack's tournament went well. although i am totally a lurker, i think about him all the time. jack's doing, i'm sure!