Yesterday was a day I will remember forever for so many reasons. It was as I thought the hardest thing to see my baby’s cold and lifeless body in her casket and we are so relieved we stood by our decision to keep it closed for the wake. The stories we heard were always of her smile and bright personality. Those were captured well in the photos we chose and that is how she was and will be remembered.

For a little girl who only began to use words well six months before she became ill, she spoke volumes to the world she touched. It is obvious that it wasn’t what she said to others but rather the way she lead her life that was an inspiration and example to everyone else. There were countless people who showed up that only crossed paths with her briefly in this life and were still moved enough to remember her and feel the need to pay their respects to her and our family.

Everyone said they don’t have the words to express their sorrow and there are not any. We thank you all for your appearance there yesterday as it affirms that she was loved by others as much as we love her.

Near the end of the night there were 3 classmates that were able to come. One brought her a small toy, a boy insisted to his Mom that he had to come for Faith and a girl gave us the card below. No words can express how we felt for each of them.

I can only hope to make as much of an impact on the world with my words and actions in the years to come as my “quiet” little girl was able to in her short 8 ½ years by her actions alone.

Well done is better than well said. — Benjamin Franklin