What She Taught You

Here's an anonymous sampling of the notes and outpouring of emotion we got for Kathryn.

My prayer for you is that you choose to make a difference in someone's life like she did.  It's a choice to make, to step outside of your comfort zone and take a chance, to be DIFFERENT.

Choose wisely.

I wish the world had a chance to see what an amazing girl you would have been - full of the fire, sprit, and spunk that we were so lucky to see in your days with us.

I learned so much....how to have patience, hope, and faith. My visit with you and your family changed my life forever. Thank you for the lessons you taught me....

You were such a feisty little girl. Your mom told stories of you "not liking" the doctors and nurses having to adjust tubes and settings.  Since your death, I have witnessed continued grace....
It is truly amazing how many people you brought together in prayer and hope. In such a short time you warmed many hearts and taught us many life lessons.
 
Thank you for showing us how to be strong even when we are weak. Thank you for sowing us how to bring true joy to others even when there is suffering. Thank you for reminding us about the precious gift of life and god's faithfulness to provide for us in the very beginning and very end...
 
I bet you are one gorgeous, feisty little angel with light streaming from all around you. We will miss you here on this imperfect earth. For now sweet girl, skip the streets of gold, a happy, healthy girl. We'll see you soon...
Thank you for reminding me just how very special and precious every minute that I get to spend with my children is. Every day with them is a gift from God and truly a blessing. Thank you for opening my eyes and reminding me to see that runny noses, spilled milk, filthy cars, salt covered floors, and sticky hands are blessings and not problems....

...you will forever be in our memories as a fighter, a woman of strength and character even in the earliest days...

...I am so amazed sometimes how much can be learned from the filter of a child's eyes....

...I am thankful for your life and the honor of praying for you....

...You returned to Our Father on wings of love having known nothing of this world but love. I'm so glad your twelve days here did not escape my knowing. My life is richer for knowing of your life of love.

...You have taught me to embrace all the people I hold dear in my life and to let them know how I feel whenever possible. You have also renewed my faith in God, knowing that he has the ultimate plan even though we may not understand...

...Please give Grammy a hug for us. Her goal was to hold each grandbaby when they were born. She has been given that chance with you. Embrace Heaven - It is the best place to be.

...I praise God for your sweet life that has helped me to understand the other side of the cross just a little bit better.

...You will never know the true scope of Kathryn's influence on others as God's instrument. I know she renewed my prayer life, as I reached for that Bible on my nightstand, prayed earnestly, constantly, for that little child, for your entire family, and for the miracles of modern medicine. I shared your story with friends at work and at church who I knew would lift y'all up in prayer, and they did. They asked about you, they visited your blog, and they prayed, lights in the darkness, praying in Jesus' name for the Lord to intercede and work the miracle we all hoped for. I have grieved for your loss, but it has reminded me to see God's grace in the simplest of things -- a beautiful day, friendships that endure, the smallest kindness that comes your way...

...As tears roll down my face I would like to say you were surely an Angel sent by God!! In 12 days you put up more of a fight than some adults ever could bare! Your strength encourages me!!

...Your 12 days here on earth taught me about one’s own internal strength and how to never under estimate it.

...I don't know what heaven will be like for you but I know that you will see your Daddy's Mama and she can hold you and show you around. My Mama's up there too and she loves babies!

...I feel like I knew you. I had dreams about you, and your amazing mom was so eloquent in telling all of us about you. You were such a strong little girl, and you made such an impression on so many lives. Because of you and your fight I am reminded to never take my own little girls for granted....

...We look forward to, with great anticipation, meeting the tiny little warrior that we prayed for tirelessly...

...You have helped me be a better mother and taught me to cherish each and every moment with my own child. You have encouraged me to fight my hardest anytime there is a fight worth fighting. You have helped me realize that life is fleeting and I should not get caught up in that which does not truly matter. To me, you are the tiniest of heroes...

...Your sweet, fighting spirit is an inspiration. Rest peacefully and dance joyfully, sweet girl.

...You've shown me that I can make it through anything if I believe in the HOPE of tomorrow. You may not know it, but your short time on earth helped me step out of my fear and anxiety and open my heart to the possibility that lies ahead....

And this is just a SAMPLING.

God be with all of you, for prayers, words of encouragement, hugs, and kindness. 

As the days and weeks move on, I'll probably write more about this experience. 

Probably even share some pictures of my journey, of how big I actually got. 

For now, though, sweet Thomas refuses to nap, and it's back to life as we know it.

Love to all.