let's send some good vibes Belle Plaine's way

[poptop tom]

So sorry to hear this news, Chris. Prayers to and your family. If you need anything from me down this way, do not hesitate to call.

[yondermtn]

Sorry to hear this. Best to you and your family.

[Mr Blotto]

My heart goes out to you and your family.

Wiping the tears from my eyes while I type this.

We are here for you if you need us.

[midatlanticys]

Chris, Keri, I'm really sorry we all lost Dear Emma after such a valiant fight on all sides!

I'm really sorry you all have to go through such gut wrenchingly deep pain. Please send some of the hurt our way, as far as I know there are some pretty broad shoulders here to carry our share of your grief.

I'm really sorry!!!!!

[ruckman101]

I had an inkling and have drug my feet because I didn't want to have to offer my condolences. My heart goes out to you for your loss. Cherish the blessing of the gifts to your lives she shared. She struck me as a brave soul who lived fully every moment.

Love indeed,
neal

[jcbrock]

Chris and Keri, no parent should have to lose a child. You gave Emma the 7 best years you could, never feel that you did anything less. I'm sorry I never met Emma, reading this thread tells me she was as tough and beautiful as people come. I hope with time the bad memories fade and the good memories grow.

Peace.

[dtrumbo]

I'm heartbroken. Emma now rests peacefully but you Chris, Keri and Brady must continue. How? How do we do anything that seems impossible? We just rise or fall to the occasion. Tears are in my eyes as I write, but especially for Brady. Hug him extra for me.

[cheesehead]

Wishing you and your family healing power, such unfair, unimaginable loss.
Peace,
Meg

[hambone]

Can't imagine. You're all in my heart.

[Xelmon]

Oh heavens...
Sad, sad...

[TrollFromDownBelow]

One of my team members is going through the exact same thing...the boy is a little older, but the pain and heartache is the same; they made funeral arrangements on Friday; at the suggestion of the hospice doctor. 7 mos ago I broke out in tears telling my manager what was going on .... first time ever in the workplace. I can't imagine if I was in a similar situation with my daughter. Thoughts and prayers go out to you.

Mike

[BellePlaine]

Following up. Our family and friends have quietly shuffled back to their homes. Brady is back to school and I'll go back to work on Monday. Slowly, we are finding our new normal and though we are not "ok" we have peace. We will be ok because we will.

At the time of Emma's passing (actually for the days leading up to it as well) she was at home with her aunts, uncles, and all sets of grandparents. It was just Brady, Keri, my mom, and I in the room with her as she died. We sang to her and held her and we were very sad as she passed. Earlier in the week, we had spoke to Brady. Keep in mind, Brady has an intuition and has been fully a part of this process for 4 years. We told him that Emma's cancer was growing and the doctors don't know how to fix it. Emma's body will no longer work. To that news he was interested in timelines such as will she live to be 30? 10? 8? He was/is mad, sad, and scared. In our spare bedroom, where we cared for Emma, he would pop in often and ask us if we needed a snack or something to drink. He would wait to see Emma take a breath and then pop back out to ham it up with family in the living room.

It's kind of a weird thing, but we live around the corner from the funeral home. Belle Plaine is a small town, barely considered a part of the Twin Cities extended metro area. Our home is very old and is located just off of the center of town. The couple that runs to funeral home are good friends and we visit with them quite often. It was good to know that our friends were taking care of Emma as they came to pick her up. I've been joking that "they've babysat before". Because of our close proximity to the funeral home, after both the visitation on Saturday and the service on Sunday we had fellowship, (party) back at our house. Having made a career working in the brewing industry, we had lots of beer to drink and food to eat. Saturday would have been Emma's 8th birthday which she missed by only 3 days. But we had a birthday party anyway. My dad smoked bbq ribs (a request from the birthday girl) and many of Emma's schoolmates and townsfolk came to visit. An ice-cream truck parked in the street and gave out free treats.

More to add later...

[jimbear]

At peace...

I have kept up with your journey; not knowing you or Emma personally I have been touched nonetheless. I have two daughters and keeping up with Emma's fight has made me love them more deeply and has made me cherish the moments I have with them that much more.

I am on lunch right now and student just came in and asked me if I was OK, my eyes had tears in them. I told her a friend's daughter had recently passed.

All my best for your family and the memory and spirit of your little baby.

[Amskeptic]

Slowly, we are finding our new normal and though we are not "ok" we have peace. We will be ok because we will.

It was just Brady, Keri, my mom, and I in the room with her as she died. We sang to her and held her and we were very sad as she passed.

More to add later...

I think she was lucky to have had you as her father.
Colin

[Bleyseng]

Yes, she was very lucky to have you as a father and family. Brings tears to my eyes reading all of this story as it's unfolded on the BBS over the years. Going ahead celebrating her eighth birthday with family and friends was special. Hopefully you'll keep the tradition going forward as she will be with you forever.