Happy Heavenly 3rd Birthday, Luke

It is a tradition in our family, that on the boys' birthdays, I recite to them the day of their birth--what happened, how we felt, etc. So, to keep with that tradition I shall retell Luke's story to you, for he is not here to hear it himself.

On November 30, 2007, I was partly in charge of the Annual Adult Christmas Party for our ward. I was very pregnant, but wasn't due until December 23rd, so I helped in the kitchen, made sure the program was ready and went on. The night was crazy and I was running around a lot! We got done cleaning up after the party was over, around 9:30 P.M. Not bad, I thought. Brian and I went home to an empty house because Tina decided to let our boys sleep over at her house. I was so tired that I went to bed shortly after we got home. I was having some contractions, but I didn't think much about them. At 1:30 A.M., I started timing them. By 4 o'clock they were three minutes apart and I woke up Brian. And we zoomed to the hospital. I shall fast forward here so as not to bore you. . . . still fast forwarding. . . . wait for it. . . okay, long story short, after 14 HOURS of labor, Luke finally arrived. He was posterior and they tried to turn him 4 times to come out correctly, but he decided to come out the way he wanted to. He was 6 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches long. Luke Hulet Taylor had finally arrived in our family on December 1, 2007.




Luke only got to experience one earthly birthday. But it was a big bash. I hosted Thanksgiving in 2008 and decided to tack Luke's 1st Birthday onto the festivities. My entire family and some of Brian's was here to witness this great occasion. Now, as I think back, I am grateful to have had that to share with my family.




Turning over the calendar to December, seeing Luke's Birthday typed right there, and not having him here is indescribable. I thought the more time that passed, the better this would be. Not so. Time has torn his memories from me. I forget a little more every day, and it is unbearable not being able to remember him-what he sounded like, what he smelled like. What I wouldn't give. . . to be with him for this day.






We love you Lukey and wish you a Happy Heavenly 3rd Birthday!

Luke's Angel Day

On the 1st anniversary of Luke's passing, we decided to have a balloon release. It was a good thing. It was a hard thing. We thank ALL of you who were there with us in person and ALL of you who were there in spirit. I know there were several groups of people who had their own balloon release because they were unable to go to Idaho Falls. We felt your love and continue to feel it. Thank You ALL! We felt so much peace that day; the knowledge that we have that we KNOW we will see Luke again continues to give us strength. We LOVE you ALL. . . you help us more than you will ever know!

Impossible

What is the HARDEST thing you have ever had to do?

One year ago today, the IMPOSSIBLE happened to me, to Brian, to my family. One year. . . 365 days; 8760 hours; 525,600 minutes; 31,536,000 seconds; 36,792,000 broken heart beats.

I replay the day in my mind, trying to make sense of it. I remember asking the paramedic driving the ambulance "Do these ever turn out okay?" I will never forget his answer, or the look on his face. . . "no, I'm sorry". But that's impossible. He was just learning to talk and he just learned to crawl out of his crib. He is a great fisherman, and loves to tease his brothers. He watches Elmo everyday, and helps me do dishes. He loves to be cuddled, and suck his thumb, and hold his blanket. He makes us laugh and love and be better.

It is impossible that he is no longer here. . . .




Luke,

We will MISS you for a TIME, and CHERISH you for ETERNITY.

We love you son, brother, and angel!