Glory's "I've Been Set Free" Party

No, that's not what I originally planned on calling Sunday, July 22nd, 2012 - Glory's second birthday, our first one without her.  It just felt that way.  A lot of people asked me if I was going to have Curious George cupcakes (like I did last year).  And it crossed my mind.

"GG" Cupcakes...these birds and branches symbolize freedom

But this wasn't a party for Glory... it was a party for each person who knew her, who held her, who saw her smile, who played and partied with her at night when I couldn't be with her, who prayed for her...anyone who had ever heard of her and had been changed.  It wasn't the season for Curious George...it was a season for something different...

This "Freedom Tree" had pictures of special people that Glory loved...

As I have anticipated (dreaded, looked forward to...I'm not sure what frame of mind I have been in) this day, all I have been able to envision is freedom.  Not just for her, but for me.

Glory's freedom has been realized in a way that I cannot begin to comprehend.  Her chains are gone...she has been set free.  And though the pain of not having her here will always be very present and real and sharp, I am beginning to feel the freedom that that pain is giving me...freedom to fulfill my purpose here... just like Glory fulfilled hers...

Love these girls!!!

 

Thank you, Team Glory Girl, for making this possible...

Ready, Set...

Let Go!!!!

In Eliana's words, "Do you think our balloons have reached Heaven yet?"
I think so:)

Dream World

Here are three scenarios that might take place in my dream world...  

1.  …I would be sitting on an island somewhere (with a fruity drink in my hand, of course) watching Eliana run around on the beach while I would try to keep Glory cool enough to stay outdoors.  Some of my sweetest memories of Glory are of the few minutes each day we were able to take her outside on the front porch of our Little Rock house last summer.  She would develop little beads of sweat on the tip of her nose after about 30 seconds…it was an extremely hot summer last year, as you probably remember.  But, then again, her little body was never able to regulate heat well, anyway. 

2.  …We would be taking a family trip to Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri with my brother, Daniel (Glory's middle name is after his), and his family.  Between both of us, there would be six kids running around at our feet, and I would be searching for a place to hook up Glory's oxygen tank.

3.  …Glory could dance.

  

Today, at their end-of-the-year dance recital, the Lifesong Dance staff dedicated their staff dance to Glory Danielle Morton.  Lifesong Dance is a studio that offers a variety of dance classes while teaching it's students to use their talents to glorify God.   The dance was beautiful.  I do not know the studio owners personally.  I just met them today, but they have prayed and supported our family from the beginning.  Thank you, Jessica and all of the Lifesong staff who saw an opportunity to love and acted on it.

And, as if the dance was not enough, Caleb Baker of www.lovespaint.com painted this breathtaking canvas on stage after the dance was finished.  It leaves me speechless.  Caleb said the title is... The Invitation.  

So, here is my invitation to you…  Come in to my world.  Don't be afraid.  There has been a lot of pain.  But I think you will find that because of The Invitation, the greatest joy comes from the greatest pain.   And the best dreams really do come true…because, even though I'm not running around trying to find her little pink fan or trying to figure out how we are going to haul her oxygen tank to the doctor's office… 

Glory is dancing.

Time

We spent time here tonight.  

Glory's headstone was finally set in the ground this afternoon.  It has been a long and very emotional road to this completion.  I think it may be because the words "Glory Girl" will never look right on a gravestone to me.  They shouldn't be there.  They should be embroidered on a hot pink shirt that she should be wearing while running around on the back deck with Eliana…

When I found out that the stone was ready, it was already set in the ground.  I was somewhat curious about how I would react when I drove up and saw it.  

And, you know what?  It looks perfect…amazing…cute, even…with pink flowers all around.  It did literally take my breath away at first, but, as I began to walk around and let my thoughts wander, I noticed something unexpected.  

I didn't feel worse…I felt at ease…I was very aware of the fact that the permanent monument standing before me stood to serve as a reminder for generations to come of a very special little girl that would have called me "mommy" if she could have used her mouth for talking and not just sticking her tongue out.  

I have struggled through the last couple of months.  My overwhelming need to hold and touch her rages on.  It doesn't feel like my faith is enough.  But, unexpectedly, as I stared at the dates on her gravestone, I knew that there had to be more.  

She is not here with us…she is not in the ground.  Even though I can not hear Him speak right now…I know He must be there.  I can not deny that there is a Creator…so much good could never in a million years "just happen".  There must be someone that created us and loves us so much.  And now He has His Glory.

No, the dates on Glory's gravestone don't span 80 or even 8 years.  But what most people refer to as the "ending" date on her gravestone of December 11, 2011, is really only the "beginning" date for Glory.  Her stone is a tribute to the time she spent here with her mommy, daddy, sissy, and the countless others who cared for her.  It in no way points to an end...