Sunday, May 1, 2011

Meeting Angel Carly's mom and dad, Joany and Paul ...

Zoey and I took a road trip yesterday.Me and my little sidekick. 2 1/2 hour drive each way.Worth every minute and every mile. A few hours south of us,Denise and Ella were doing the same.A common destination:Joany and Paul George,mom and dad to the beautiful Angel Carly.

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 This past week was the one year mark since losing their baby girl.They decided they needed to get out of town, so they ventured West and visited Yosemite and the coast of California and also made some time to meet up with us.And,we are so grateful that they did.I felt like I'd known them a lifetime.Felt as if I already knew them.You see,Joany was one of the first to reach out to me when Zoey was diagnosed over 2 years ago and we have stayed in contact,ever since.The meeting was absolutely bittersweet.As one of the most important pieces was missing,Their sidekick,precious Carly.Her absence was felt at every single moment of the day but mostly as I watched her daddy's face light up with Ella and Zoey.Mostly as I watched him play with them and swing with them and mostly as I watched him be still with them.

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In those moments,behind my sunglasses,I wept.And I missed their girl so desperately for them.Thank you Paul and Joany for taking time out of your trip away to visit with us but most importantly,thank you for sharing your beautiful Carly with us,we are blessed and lucky because you have.

21 comments:

Elizabeth said...

And thank you for sharing this wonderful trip and these beautiful people with us. The photos were so lovely --

Kristen's mom said...

How is Joany? really how is she? I have been worried about her all year. The pictures of Paul with the girls are priceless.

Cheryl said...

Love the post you made me cry.How nice that you and Denise and your girl's were able to spend some time with Joany and Paul! Joany has been on my mind a lot this year but especially this month. Thank you for sharing your day with us.

Denise said...

Oh, your pictures made me tear up all over again. The day spent with them was truly one of my most favorite days ever. I will cherish every moment we got with them and especially watching Paul with the girls. Magical yet sad all at the same time!! So glad we made that trek up there!!

Rochelle said...

So glad you were able to meet them. Love the pics, I am sure Zoey and Ella brightened their day! (oh you and Denise too LOL)

Stephanie said...

just left Denise a comment. The pics are amazing! The smiles and the memories, all good!
Paul with the girls brings me to tears.

Kristin said...

What a wonderful, and sad, day.

colleen said...

Didn't expect to be tearing up before returning to studying for my very last final ever.... but that's what reading your blog does sometimes..such beautiful shots of these beautiful girls with a dad who must miss his daughter more than we will ever know... Before I read your post my mind was filled with worries ( ie. nonsense). Puts everything in perspective, thx

Reagan Leigh said...

I totally know how you feel. When we met Hudson and family a few days ago, I had to fight back tears the whole time. Watching him have seizure after seizure, my heart broke. It's tough. These families become our families and we hate to see them suffer. Lots of prayers needed for these guys. Lots.

Unknown said...

Missing Carly right along with you. Strange isn't it? How one can come to love and care so much about someone you've never even met. For those of us who have had to say good bye to our little ones, every child their age makes us long for our angels. But it's the ones- so like our own- who we long to hold, to be with, to drink in their simplicity, their innocence, their beauty. Bless you and Denise for making the trip for Paul and Joany.

Lacey said...

That pic with the snake is classic, both girls have their hands up like "Ewwww"
I'm so glad you got to get together! How therapeutic for them.

Anna said...

What a treasure for you all. A beautiful beautiful day.

Unknown said...

Being in California and meeting you all, was the best change of scenery Paul and I could have ever hoped for. You and Zoey, Denise and Ella and Darlena and Brayden (who we met earlier in the week)were a huge blessing. I agree, a trip worth driving those 2 1/2 hrs. So happy we were able to meet up. Watching Paul with the girls, honestly broke my heart. He was the best daddy that Carly could have ever asked for. And Zoey, something about Zoey... reminded us so very much of our sweet Carly. Not really able to put my finger on why. Even Ashleigh commented "there's something about Zoey that reminds me of Carly." Maybe it's the hair color, the laid back personality..not really sure.

Your post along with Denise's post, has triggered the tears. The words you have both written and the precious pictures of some truly wonderful friends, who are joined together for life..all due to one extra little chromosome!

Cole said...

Tears over here too. Really sweet pictures that capture the love and magic there. What a special day. And Joany- really how incredibly brave to come out and continue to be here with everyone. You are such an inspiration.

Scrappy quilter said...

What a wonderful yet poignent visit. The pictures are wonderful. Hugs

Anonymous said...

These photos are so, so touching

Bluebelle

Googsmom said...

I'm bawling now. I love all of you!!

Googsmom said...

How have you been? Zoey?

Team Carter Jay said...

Oh, how wonderful that you got to meet up. Those pictures of Paul and the girls are amazing. Sending prayers to them

Jeanette said...

It has been SOOO long since I have read blogs. Zoey is getting so big. It is great to see pics of her. BTW, Sydney's favorite thing is the shoe shelves by the front door too. I am forever hunting down my shoes. I just wanted to drop a line and let you know that I dropped in.

Melissa said...

I'm sure it was an amazing visit. The pictures of Paul with the girls brings tears to my eyes all over again.