I have the blessing and pleasure of being the aunt of the precious babies shown above.
The morning of the 23rd of December, they were traveling with Mommy, when in the briefest moment imaginable, life changed forever. Through the light of the breaking day, warm tears and blood, broken glass and bones, the staples and bandages and kind strangers holding together all the pieces, life did continue on—for the four of them.
As their cherished lives went on, their remarkable young mother took her last breath, let out a hauntingly heartbreaking gasp, “said a bad word”, and gave her all in an attempt to recover control of the car carrying her beloved children, likely unaware that it would be the final moment of her life. Instead, that car carried her to her death, while she carried only the last piece of her heart—the tiniest love of her short life, her youngest child, the one in her womb, for whom life abruptly ended before the first breath even began.
This incomparable, loving, caring, self-sacrificing, strawberry cupcake-loving, best “bamale”-making, Converse-wearing, mommy—with the best blanket snuggles—didn’t have the opportunity to see the newest piece of her heart and wouldn’t again have the chance to hold the first four.
I merely read about and now, listen to the story of that terrible accident, but I still freeze in the moments I suddenly feel it to my core, fight the tightening of my chest, try holding back the tears rushing to flow from my face, and convincing myself I remember how to breathe. These babies lived it! Yet, they find the ways to live on—with smiles and laughter, music and art, puzzles and books, Sonic, Batman, aaall the princesses, “baby ‘pidermans”, and movie nights on the floor with pillows, blankets, and stuffies. Lilo & Stitch are a favorite!
These babies dearly miss their mommy and the sibling they’ll only ever know in their dreams and drawings. The “crash car” took Mommy & “Baby Sister,” but it doesn’t get to take away the happiness that is still possible now and in their futures.
I hope to learn from them how to more successfully find peace and contentment in —and appreciation for— the life we have. After all, our family may be little, without many toys, maybe broken, or maybe not. Well, yes, in some ways, maybe a little, in others, maybe a lot—but we get to be a part of it. These babies know that we are Ohana. They know, “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind… or forgotten.” Aaand this is not the end!
~Though this mommy’s heart beats no more, her love and life live on in each baby she bore. Just around the corner she’ll hold them again, plus one more.~❤️
Funds raised by this campaign are being used to support those few necessary things that can be bought. Their grandmother is their legal custodial guardian, homemaker, and provider of household income. I contribute in as much as I can, but it’s not near as much as I wish I could. Right now, those necessary things primarily include ever increasing sized clothes & shoes, family therapy & medical costs, and, hopefully, a big down payment on a reliable, decently family-size vehicle as their grandmother’s van has just given out.
As you’ve made it this far in our story, thank you for the time you’ve given us; and if you’re moved to donate, we greatly appreciate any contributions made to help ease the burden of fulfilling this family’s needs.
Organized by Aunt D
Scranton, PA