Happy Birthday Katie

Katie's birthday fell on a tuesday this year. We decided to just share her day with friends at church since it is the normal day for activities there. We made a fruit pizza and sang Happy Birthday to Katie in front of her tree. It is so great to know that so many people still love her and think of us all.

I cant believe that she would be sixteen this year. Things like dating and driving sound so adventurous right now. I would love to be diving into all the drama, I really would. (I did have a friend tell me that when MaryLynn and JJ get to be sixteen, she'll remind me that I wanted to do it.)

Remember about a year or more ago I talked about a pastel done by Del Parson? Well, I guess now is the right time to post it. I had a friend in my home recently who looked at the drawing and said, "Who is that?" When I told her it was Katie, she said, It looked like her, only older. (I think part of it is no braces.) But it made me think--Maybe this is what she would look like about now.

So, here it is!

Isn't she gorgeous?

Happy Sixteenth, Katie.

Easter

You know, two years ago I thought that Katie dying on Easter was just a cruel joke. It seemed to me that every Easter from then on would be tainted with the pain of losing her. Surprisingly, I was wrong. The fact that she died on the very day that Christ overcame death is a blessing. It is almost impossible to be sad and despondent when I have such faith that Christ was resurrected for us.
I am so grateful for the gift that our Savior gave to us, and when I think about Katie being gone, all I can remember is that she will be resurrected and we will all be together again someday. I guess God knows what he is doing after all.