Aug 21 08
Thought you might like this “Ali & Andrew Story”…
Since Ali was young, she has heard that butterflies were signs from loved ones who passed away. Having said that, I’ve been meaning to tell you all a little story. A few weeks ago, Ali was sitting outside and a butterfly flew over her and landed on her foot. She moved her foot, hoping to get a picture with her phone, but the butterfly flew away – onto the cushion right next to her head. After a few seconds, it flew away and landed on her other foot. Again, she tried to take a picture and it flew onto the opposite foot! She couldn’t believe it. She came running inside to tell Chris and me. Chris said, “Tell him [Andrew] I say ‘hi’.” Chris was thinking exactly what Ali was. Chris, Ali and I then cleaned out the garage (what Chris wanted for Mother’s Day J). Two hours later, Ali went back to the backyard and couldn’t believe what happened. As soon as she sat down, the same butterfly flew right back and landed on her again. Can you believe it!? I know Ali was shocked and immediately she knew it was Andrew.
Ali’s having a hard time. She misses her best friend so much. She doesn’t like to talk about her feelings, but at the same time, she realizes that it’s unhealthy to keep all her emotions bottled up inside her. Life is so different now. I think college will be a good time for her. She’ll always be Andrew’s sister, and I know she is so proud of that, but at college she won’t be known only as “Andrew’s sister.” Not that she doesn’t like to be known as “Andrew’s sister,” but people don’t know what to say to her; they feel like they’ll upset her talking about Andrew. She’ll never forget Andrew, but college will be a new chapter in her life. This way, she can be her own person.
(But, for those of you who know me well, you know I’m going to miss my little girl when she goes off to school. But, it’s really exciting too!)
Live Like Andrew (&Ali) - trust, have faith, and “Tenui Nec Dimittam” (”take hold and never let go”)
B+
God bless you.
Ali’s & Andrew’s Dad