Last week, we received two beautifully wrapped gift boxes on our porch with a note from “A Neighbor.” This wasn’t the first gift from that anonymous neighbor. The first was a button that they bought, thinking of us, about childhood cancer. It also arrived with a very heartfelt note.

I have thanked them on our community page, but if you are reading this, you have deeply touched Shaun and I. Not only are your gestures sincere and kind, but you have no idea how much we appreciate that others have not forgotten our beautiful, sweet Erin. We also appreciate those that see and honor our grief. It is never ending and too painful to speak of at times.

So thank you, A Neighbor. I wanted to share with everyone the beautiful fairy and angel…

I wish that I was a better photographer to do them justice. By the way, I included the little angel on my shelf of other gifts in Erin’s honor. Some were given from people I “know” and others showed up anonymously. Shaun and I appreciate each and every one of them, and each and every one of you.

There are a few bracelets and such that I have on other shelves or that I wear, but these are what I call the Angel and Fairy shelf. Again, I’m no photographer, but after seeing the picture I want to tell you about the items.

The painting in the center was done by Paula Parvin McBride and was given to me right after Erin’s body died. She is an old friend and I did not realize she was such a talented artist. She is also very kind and loving. Thank you Paula <3

From left to right…this was a gift that Erin gave to my mother on her birthday in 2008. I thought it would be nice to include. The pink fairy was painted by Ally P. at Erin’s 2012 birthday party. She gave it to me at Erin’s service. So sweet Ally (hope I spelled your name right!). Next is a pretty little purple fairy that showed up at our door one day this past year, and the next is our newest angel I included above. Finally, on the far right is a pretty cherub that also showed up one day anonymously. The giver had no way of knowing that when Erin was 3 and her GP passed away, my mother was given a larger, similar version of this and that Erin liked it. I’m sure she guided your hand in sending it to us.

Then there is the Strength bracelet given by Paula M., and the Survivor bracelet given by Niki W. Thank you to those of you who regularly and randomly cheer me up on FaceBook. The randomly was a joke, as you seem to intuitively know when I am hanging on by a thread even when I don’t mention it. Thank you to everyone who cheers up Shaun, too.  And to any I have forgotten, please know it’s just a glitch. Grief wipes out everything and you get rewired, so I apologize if I have forgotten anyone. I treasure every last thought, kind word, gift given, etc. etc. etc. Thank you.

Love and hugs.

Ms. Nicole / AKA Erin’s Mommy
#missingerin

Yes, it’s been a long time since I have updated this site even though I promised that I would try to do so monthly. It is so very painful for me to even visit my admin page here. I miss Erin so deeply every second of every day. It is always with me.

I do want to share, very late, something from the 5th Grade end of year that Erin’s class did in her honor. Their class project was a chandelier with tiles that each of them made.  I’m not sure who made this one in Erin’s honor, but it’s beautiful. I was reminded that this is Fawn I think, the fairy who loves animals. How fitting.

And they released butterflies in her honor at the Bridging ceremony.

We were invited but could not bear to attend. However, I want to express our deepest appreciation to everyone at Hampton Cove Elementary School for every single thing that you have done for our family, both while Erin was a student there and after. It will stay in our hearts forever. And thank you so much to Paula H., who sent these pictures and helped organize this for Erin. I have not been able to express to you how much I appreciate all of it, but both Shaun and I do more than words can say.

I plan to update again soon, really this time. Hugs and love to all of Erin’s friends and loved ones.

Ms. Nicole / AKA Erin’s Mommy
#missingerin

Today would have been Erin’s 11th birthday. We miss her so much that it hurts, but we still want to share her with everyone. Please remember Erin on her birthday today by wearing your wristband, posting with #missingerin, sharing your memories, or in some other way that brings a smile to your face. We miss our baby very much and while we know she is OK wherever her little spirit is, we are so sad without her.

I have waited all week to post this, mostly because of the upwelling of emotion that I have every time I think about it. I received an email from a parent of one of Erin’s school friends over the weekend. The three girls had done a balloon releasing ceremony, and included cards with what I assume are note written to Angel Erin. (I call her that now…picked that up from Angel Sammy’s page on FaceBook.)

Here are the pictures, and thank you so much Lydia C., Abby C., and Nina H. You are sweet girls and I will never forget your kindness. And PS: Erin liked the three of you very much.