The kids were so excited both drew her a picture on Friday. Hailey's had a heart, a ton of stickers and stamps on it, and she wrote Jaycee's name and hers on there. Zach's had a heart he colored with rainbow colors and then her wrote Princess Jaycee at the top. When I asked him about it, he said that little Jaycee was a princess and he wanted it to be on her paper. Sometimes kids know more than we give them credit for.
After they finished their pictures, we headed to the store to find that "perfect thing" to leave for her. Since Brian and Michelle have horses, the first thing that caught my eye was a little stuffed horse. Zach and Hailey both liked it, but it didn't get a second thought as soon as they found a pink and purple unicorn. Hailey was just sure that Aunt Michelle and Cousin Jaycee would just love it. Zach was happy to go along since it was more for a girl. So we picked it up and couldn't wait to get up to the cemetary the next day to place it on her grave.
On the drive home from the store, I discovered that Hailey really thought we were going up to see Jaycee. She's only 4 and the concept of death and why things happen in life, aren't quite something she has a good handle on. So I spent the rest of the drive trying to explain about what happened and why Jaycee isn't here with us. I have to admit, that I don't completely understand why either. Poor thing, she burst out crying and was so sad that she couldn't see or hold Jaycee. By the time we got home, Hailey, Zach, and I were all crying. I think Jeremiah thought something had happened to us all! After some more discussing and explaining, we all were soothed enough to calm down and understand a little bit more. At that point, Hailey turned to me and with tears in her eyes, asked if Aunt Shell was ok. She was so worried that her Aunt Shell was sad without her little baby girl. I told her that Aunt Shell would always miss baby Jaycee, but that sometimes we have to realize that Heavenly Father needed baby Jaycee so much that she just couldn't stay. She told me that we would share our baby brother with Aunt Shell so that she wouldn't be too sad. Hailey can really be a very sensitive and compassionate person at times and I was really proud of her to be so concerned. After that she seemed to cheer up and was again excited to go see Jaycee gravestone. I felt like maybe she (and Zach) understood just a little bit better.
The next day we headed to Malad and Michelle, Brian, the boys, Mom, and Dad met us at the cemetary since Hailey was so excited for Aunt Shell to see the unicorn she had picked out for Jaycee. It was a bit cold, but I could feel Jaycee's spirit there as we all stood around her grave and thought about what a special spirit she is. Hailey gave the unicorn to Aunt Shell and she placed it right next to the headstone. The kids also put their pictures for Jaycee in the little vase holder for her to have. I was so glad I brought my camera because I was able to capture a few pictures that are very dear to me.
Here are Brian, Michelle, Ashton, and Branson
Hailey and Zach felt very special to have their picture taken with them. You can see the unicorn on the left and their pictures in the vase holder to the right.
We brought Grandma Bybee up with us for picture day, so we had to get a few with her too.
On the drive home, after all the pictures, eating, and playing I was just sure the kids had forgotten all about the visit to the cemetary. But as we drove by it getting on the freeway, Zach looked out the window and said: "Mommy, it was really neat to get to see Jaycee's stone with her name on it and leave her the unicorn and pictures. It made me feel really special." Hailey said: "Yea, I felt special too. Do you think Jaycee likes her unicorn and picture?" I told her they were right, it was very special and that I was sure that Jaycee loved her unicorn and pictures. Seems they didn't forget at all.
1 comment:
How sweet. I think little Jaycee just loves the unicorn. We miss our Jaycee but feel her close especially around the holidays.
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