Sunday 8 September 2013

Included

It was Daniel's parents anniversary at the end of August. 

Every year, Daniel's sisters coordinate for all the grandkids to get together, and they do a picture and gift it to their parents.

Last year... well last year I don't know what happened.  I was 5 months out from losing Alexander when (I'm guessing) the coordinating was being done... and one day in August I saw a picture of 6 grandchildren in matching outfits (the girls were wearing dresses with a floral print, and the 2 boys were wearing white tops and blue shorts), including a 1 and half month old chubby little baby boy, front and center. 

I wouldn't say my heart felt like it was ripped out.  No.  I already felt like that on a daily basis.  It felt like the wind got knocked out of me.  It was one of the first (among many) things that I physically saw Alexander left out of.  Not because there was a rift between me and other family members... not because we were away on holidays when the photo was being organized... no.  It's because he was dead.  I didn't even know that this act of organizing and taking a picture was being done.. and then POW, all of a sudden I see them all, together, one missing, framed and smiling.

ah, it was tough.

This year, I was emailed in July asking about outfits, and time and places for the picture.  I was happy that I had Theodore to be part of the picture... but I know that one boy would still be missing.  No matter how many of my living children are able to make the photo op, one little man will always be missing.

This was the picture from this year.

8 grandchildren.  One missing.
 
 
Alexander would have been 3 and half months older than that little boy sitting next to his grandfather.  Instead, there is little Theodore.  Propped up on his Nonno's knee.
 
***
 
One day a few weeks ago, one of Daniel's sisters asked me if I saw their father's truck recently.  They got those cute decals to go on the back. 
 
"It's of all the grandkids - it was the second half of the anniversary present"
 
I hasn't noticed.  I didn't see it.  And I didn't want to either. 
 
I said, "No, I must have missed it" and nervously smiled, trying to hide the fact that my heart was breaking as we casually chit chatted about all the grandchildren. 
 
And then, face.book had me take notice whether I liked it or not.
 
My throat closed, and my heart warmed and ached all at once.
 
 
One of Daniel's sisters had a comment below...
 
 
 
He was included.
 
I wanted to go to the back of the truck and touch that little baby.  Kiss his face and tell him how much I miss him. 
 
But I know he's not in that decal.  I know he's still dead.  And I am crushed with these evident facts.  But I was so happy to see my boy, lined up with all of his cousins.
 
And I was so touched by Daniel's sisters for including Alexander.
 


8 comments:

  1. OMG, this made me cry. I am so glad Alexander is included! Getting together with "all" the cousins or even talking about them is really hard for me.

    We just did a birthday banner for my MIL and we put each grandchild's handprint on one of the banners. My SIL suggested we do a bear track on Bear's and as much as I wish we were able to paint his little hand and press it on that fabric, it warms my heart so much that Bear is included and represented and that I didn't have to push for it. I told my SIL how much we appreciate Bear being included and she said that they are trying to let us guide them as to what is best because they really don't know. At least we're all trying.

    Sometimes silly little decals make a difference!

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  2. That is so wonderful. I'm so happy they did that.

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  3. <3 I love that he was included. I love love love that so much! :) Love that he was included and no one needed to ask. Wish he was there, in the photo, for real. xox

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  4. This made me cry too, and I'm a pretty tough nut. I am so glad Alexander was included, so relieved that your family remembered him.

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  5. That is freaking awesome. Such a huge thing, and for someone to do it without your input is such a gift.

    Oh, I wish he were in the photo, too.

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  6. Oh, I am so glad Alexander was included. Made me cry, too.

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  7. I'm so glad that Alexander was included - it is so lovely when others remember them, unprompted. I wish that he could be in more than a decal, I wish he were with his brother and his cousins in the photograph.

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  8. I have a lump in my throat as I type this. I'm so glad Alexander was included and that his family remembers him and loves him!

    Do you know where they bought the decals?

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