As we go through the Holidays...

I can't help but miss my little sister Casey. The week leading up to Thanksgiving was hard for me. Having this be the first holiday without her since 1983. I can't help but thank God for blessing my life with her. Even more, I can't help but thank him for letting her stick around to meet her neice, my daughter and Casey's namesake. Luckily, Thanksgiving came and went. It was a fantastic day.

When we found out I was pregnant, we knew that if we were having a baby girl her name would be Casey. No doubt in our minds. Truthfully I thought I was having a boy. So much so, that when she said it was a girl in the ultra sound, I thought she was wrong. But I was defintely having a girl! :) Shortly after, Big Casey went into the hospital and really wasnt suppose to make it. Like, this time there was no way she could come out of it. One day, they called us all in to the hospital to say our goodbyes. Shayna happened to be at a church retreat 9 hours away. I knew if big C passed while Shay was gone, it would have been devastating for Shayna. Casey's blood pressure dropped super low and I happened to be the first one to the hospital. I wrapped my arms around her and said, "Casey, if you have anything left in you, you have to wait until Shayna comes home. I love you." Her blood pressure rose up. And leveled out shortly after that. So later, after witnessing that miracle, I whispered in her ear "I know this is alot to ask, but if there is anyway, you could make it 4 more months to meet your neice, it would mean the world to me. "

And this picture is the outcome of that wish. This was their first meeting and they were instantly friends. Big C adored little C and everytime we laid Lil C next to her she lit up. She lived 4 more months after Lil Casey was born and I am soooo very thankful for that.

So this holiday season, I will miss my sister. But I know she fought with all she had to stay with our family as long as she could. 25 years when you weren't suppose to make it past 5 is pretty darn amazing. I vowed to big C that my daughter would always know the endless love and fight that her Auntie had in her.