Forever Memories and Gifts of Love

   The memorial service on Friday was quite special.  It was a bittersweet event as a friend of mine mentioned.  In one sense it was hard to go back the hospital where we lost our daughter but on the other hand all those involved in Alana's care became part of our lives.  Many are like family to us.

   Many members of the transplant team either stopped by to us or were able to stay for the service.  It meant a lot to my husband and myself to see the team.  I could see in their hearts how much Alana had touched each one of them.  Each of them told us how much they miss Alana and what a special little girl she was.

   We were able to see many of the nurses who took care of Alana.  Evelyn spoke at the memorial service and told about how much Alana meant to her.  She was one of Alana's favorite nurses.  Alana would always do her little dances when Evy took care of her.  This nurse has become a good friend to our family.  The social worker from the transplant team also spoke.  She too was touched by Alana's life.

   We were able to show that staff Alana's video that we had shown at her funeral back home.  All were very touched by the video of her life.  Many had not seen what she was like before she became very sick.  I'm glad that it brought joy and laughter to their hearts.

   My mother, my oldest sons godparents and four of my children(plus a girlfriend) were able to travel to NY for the memorial service.  My mother was touched by how much love the nurses and doctor's had for Alana and our family.  I was glad she was able to be at the service.

   When the service was over one of the ladies from the child life department handed me a beautiful flowered box.  I had forgotten about the contents in the box.  Inside the box were the molds we had made of Alana's hand and foot the day she went home to be with Jesus.  I cannot express to you the feelings that welled up inside of me.  The hand and foot molds showed every little crease and crinkle of her skin.  It looks almost perfect.  I just wish I could tell you in words how much that gift means to my husband and myself.

    Thank you Child Life Department at Mt. Sinai for this special and most amazing gift.

   Here is a look of the program for Alana's memorial service.  The child life department did all the planning of the service.  They all did such a wonderful job.  Thank you all again.  Dana, Dawn, Angie and many others, you made March 19, 2010 a special day forever in our hearts.

God is good.