Sunday, July 10, 2011

Three Years

Today Rebecca and Maria turn three.

Yesterday was a gorgeous lovely day and I walked the Charles with friends and family for our annual Memorial Walk. We spoke of 'shoes and ships and sealing wax'... But also of our girls and what the passing of time means and how we are doing. It was a wonderful way to mark the anniversary of their birth. I was touched by each and every person's participation, both those who were there physically and the others who let me know they were participating in spirit.

It’s amazing to me that I am not the only one who remembers. My girls were here so briefly and no one besides Eric and I ever really met them. It seems wondrous to me that others carry Rebecca and Maria in their hearts and hold on tight to the memories they have of them. I don’t think I realized that until Erica Magliaro shared with me how the 4th of July always makes her think of my girls because she spent that day with us and we walked and talked and watched the fireworks all together.
I have filed away all my special memories of my girls, guarding them against the passing of time. There were so few, each and every one is precious to me. It was so hard to face the knowledge that there would be no new memories created. It is the best gift to me that Erica added to my collection with her remembrance. It touches my heart as well as eases the burden. I am not alone. My girls are not gone… For what do we have really, in the end, but shared memories and love between us all?

Thank you for those who walked with us. Thank you for those who remember with us. Rebecca and Maria, you existed and you continue to be loved.