A Blessed Day

Through the grace of our dear Lord, Shayla and her family and friends enjoyed a lovely celebration at church this morning! We'd like to thank everyone for making this a special and blessed day as Shayla became one with Jesus. Yes, as always, we missed Christi and felt tears slip down our cheeks when it was announced that today's Mass intention was for Christi - even though we knew it was going to be read. It was still hard to hear it.

Shayla wore Christi's cruifix necklace, which Christi received for her first Holy communion, and thumbprint charm today. She also had a small angel pin on to remind her of Christi and we talked about her many times while getting ready. Shayla remembered Christi's first Holy communion and Christi telling her about the taste of wine.
Shayla with her school friend
This little light of mine; I'm going to let it shine!
Thomas team with Father Joe
Shayla's blessed with wonderful Godparents!
Just like Sue did for Christi's First Holy Communion - another beautiful and delicious cake. (Thanks, Sue!)
"Finally, they let me change and eat my favorite meal - spaghetti at "Fatheads Restaurant". (Thanks, Fatheads!)



We had a little family joke that we know Christi would have thought was a hoot - but since she most likely had the best seats in church, perhaps she actually arranged it.

We were seated in the handicapped pew because Shayne's grandmother is in a wheelchair. As we came into church (nearing the late side after getting our hair done and picking up the cakes, etc.) an elderly gray haired lady was sitting in our pew at the end and we assumed it was grandma. Right before church began Shayne looked down and then flipped his head around to me and declared, "That's NOT grandma! Where's grandma?" Well, I had no idea, but he took off looking for her. He found her in the back of the church where she was comfortable with Shayne's Mom and aunt and uncle. Well, the rest of my family didn't realize that it wasn't Shayne's grandmother and after church they thought we left her because she was still just sitting there. My brother-in-law said as we were packing and heading out the door, "Don't forget about Shayne's grandmother!" Then he was just as surprised as we were earlier when we told him we didn't know who she was, but Shayne's grandma had already left for the restaurant. Christi would have loved all of that! Oh, I miss that sweet giggle of Christi's and I'm so thankful I can still remember what her voice sounded like. That is one of my fears that I will one day forget how she sounded.
Christi and Grandma Gear (2004)
Christi lets her little light shine (2004 / age 6 1/2 years)
Christi and Grandma Falter (April 2004)