Elizabeth Grace - New Post/Update from Michelle

Michelle has posted an update regarding Elizabeth's funeral that I thought many of you would want to read.  Michelle is such an amazing person.  She is a true inspiration.  I know she's having a horrible time of it because her entire life for the last 2 years has been about Elizabeth.  The update tells more.

I regret that I was not able to attend Elizabeth's funeral.  I am writing Michelle a letter for now and I know that there will be time in the future for us to have some alone time together.  That may be a time that she really needs it after things slow down and she is still grieving but the support has slowed down.  I know in times after losing a very special person, I have most appreciated the people who showed up later when things had seemingly settled for everyone else.  I hope that makes sense.

I wasn't able to attend the funeral in New Orleans for many reasons most of which has to do with a crisis in my own family right now.  We're on the prayer list asking to pray for my family but I haven't been specific and for now, I don't intend to be at least for today.  However, even though it's unspoken and not specific,  I'd appreciate it very much if the prayer warriors up the prayer power for our family during this extremely difficult and traumatizing time.  We need a miracle.

I am also having abdominal problems again (not being able to eat and significant pain) and I have to have several tests done.  Right now, figuring out the logistics of having those tests is more than complicated.  So, please continue to pray for my family and my health as I continue to pray for all of you. 

Prayer is the best gift one can give another.

Thank you so much for everything that all of you do! 

xoxo,

Vanessa

Friday, August 28, 2009 10:09 AM, CDT

Hello

Sorry I haven't updated, I didn't have access to Internet for awhile. So, lots to say but not sure what to say. I miss Elizabeth more than anything. I have spent two and half years holding her, feeding her, rocking her, bathing her, reading to her, talking to her, hugging her every day all day and every night all night. I never really thought much about why I did whatever she wanted all the time, I just loved her so much, but know I know why. I was only going to have a short time with her and I needed to enjoy every second of her. It really doesn't seem real that she is never coming back. She was my every moment and now she is gone. There really are no words to describe how much I truly loved her, how happy she made me,  how empty I feel without her and just how much I truly miss her.

When she went to heaven I did not want to think about having a funeral and making any decisions. I just wanted to go to sleep. I didn't though, I went home and started the process and at some point I felt peace. I was doing something for Elizabeth. I was still taking care of her in some way. We were planning things for her  that would make her happy. Thanks to DJ and the boys( and their crazy ideas) it actually became fun. It was all about Elizabeth, as our last 2 and half years have been! It became less of planning a funeral and more of a celeration- a celebration for Elizabeth. Her last party. It was the third bday she wont be here to celebrate, the sweet sixteen, high school graduation and most of all her wedding that we won't ever attend. She is our little girl that we all loved so much. She made us all so happy. I know that we will always celebrate her special days, but Saturday was the last day that hundreds of family and friends would come together to celebrate Elizabeth. And it was perfect. As perfect as Elizabeth was and always will be. The whole day was perfect-- the weather, the church, the flowers, the music, the Rosary, the homily, the eulogy, the singers, the harpist, the horse and carriage, the best brothers, the bubbles, the reception, the cake, the balloon release, the midnight cruise and most of all the perfect angel who watched over it all. A day that I will always remember, love and cherish. I want to thank ALL OF YOU who came. Each and every one of you made it special, just by being there. And all of you who prayed for us that day and kept our family in your thoughts. God heard you.

So now we are back in Memphis. We had sold our home and moved here in July.  I'm not sure why God brought us here but He did. Right now this is where I feel I need to be. I have lived the past 17 months here with Elizabeth, in and out of the hospital and St. Jude housing. I just want some quiet time with just us. We haven't had that this entire journey. We will go back home but for now its still just one day at a time just a different journey. I will continue to update. I thank all of you who support us through this caringbridge site. It has been one of the biggest blessings to have this. I thank you for your prayers and ask that you please continue to pray for peace for our family and that Elizabeth will let me know everyday that she is still with me. Yesterday, she was a butterfly that i actually got to pick  up off the ground and hold before it flew away. A first for me. Probably because I never took the time to talk to a butterfly, Keep Praying Keep believing Love, Michelle 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethdunford

 

Michelle is such a Believer.  I admire her for her courage and strength.  Wow, just Wow; even with everything they have been through she has kept her belief and strength.  God has a special lady here on earth in Michelle.

Vanessa, I keep thinking about you and your family.  Know that I am here if/when you want to talk.  I love you lady and MISS you allot.

Hugs,

Vanessa;

Thanks for posting Michelle's post and introducing us to her through the caringbridge site. Elizabeth's last celebration sounds like it was a wonderful day.

Sending you and your family prayers for good outcomes to all of the trials and tribulations you're experiencing right now.

My heart goes out to her.  I feel her pain, I truly do. 

Many hugs and blessings to her.

Blessings to you!

Nina

Thank you Vanessa for sharing this with us. What an incredible family indeed. I'm glad they were able to turn this into a celebration of her life.
Having lost a spouse, I too generally wait until later, to go and be there for someone, because I truly know how valuable that is. Everyone is there for you at first, when you're numb and really can't express your feelings, and then when the numbness wears off and you need support, everyone has gone back to their own lives. I'm sure your support will be greatly appreciated.

I am keeping your family in prayers as well. I hope you feel better soon.