She is so lovely. A beautiful princess. I’ve seen glimpses of her story online through other photographers. I just cannot imagine what you’ve been through.

I need to stop and take the time to express the deep love I have for my children. Your beautiful words about her remind me of that.

she is too beautiful. everytime i stop by your blog i’m blown away with how much she reminds me of my own daughter and even of the pictures of me as a child.

my heart still aches for you, as i’m sure your heart will always ache a bit. she’s done so much good in this world.

on my street, 9 years ago, a similar tragedy occured that took the lives of 5 sweet angels. being friends with 2 of the mothers i can see how much it has effected every aspect of their lives. i wish you the very best in your family. i’m so glad that you have your sweet boys and little ivy. they are all too beautiful.

I came across your blog through belle and boo and I just wanted to say how amazed I am at your strength and courage. Your daughter is beautiful, and you speak of her so lovingly it breaks my heart for you. I’m also in awe of your talent. Thanks for your words and inspiring photographs.

Hi Sheye, please don’t think I am stocking you all the way across the ocean:D Like everyone else I am not sure how I came across you blog and Ava’s memory blog, but you definitely caught my attention first of all by your amazing photography talent and your beautiful family. Last night reading your tragedy of your Sweet Little Miss Ava first of all made me cry (which takes a lot for me to get to that point) and made me hold my little ones a little closer when the sun came up. I admire your strength as you face each day. Hopefully someday it will be easier to get up in the morning and feel like you have found peace that will make it easier to get through the day.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints and in our faith we believe that families can be together forever. We also believe there is life after death…..it doesn’t just stop here on earth. We believe that when a child passes away that you and your husband will be able not only be with her again but also have the chance to raise her in heaven and see her grow into a beautiful woman in a much more peaceful existence. You will know her and she will know you again. This is a beautiful gift from our Heavenly Father who I can’t imagine would create this wonderful world for us to live in, give us life, and then take it way to never been seen again. He has a plan for us and it centers around Families who can be together forever….even after death. I honestly believe you will see Sweet Ava again and you will have the chance to raise her and see her grow. This life here on earth is so short compared to eternity with your family. It seems like a long wait before you will see your Super Princess, but I promise you, you and your husband will be with her again along with your other beautiful children. If you want to know more about our belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and eternal families, just let me know and I would be more that happy to share it with you. My heart aches with you and for you. Thank you for reminding me to always cherish every moment with my little ones. Oh, and I love the Backyadigans song! My kids love them, good choice of music for your blog:)

Sheye, I feel almost like I am intruding but I was mesmerised by your blog – the beautiful photography and the moving words.
I have lost two dear friends and whilst they were not as young as Ava (one was 18, one was in his 20s)I have seen the devastation caused within families by the loss of a beloved child. I found that I just couldn’t belive that the world could keep on turning when such terrible things had happened. Yet, it keeps on turning and gradually laughter and joy creep back into our lives.
I had to smile when I read your regret about not letting Ava wear whatever she wanted. My own daughter who is 7 has always turned heads and not always due to the brown curly locks, the gorgeous green eyes and the perfect English rose face, oh no.
It is often due to her amazing outfits. We’ve been through wellie phases (everything with wellies), pyjama phases (sometimes jamas and welllies to the supermarket!), amazing colour combos and lately we had a cute cycling top (white with pink hibiscus) with Brownie shorts and grey thermal long johns underneath. And sandals. With socks.
I pray that she never loses this confidence in her own style. Whilst many of her friends look like little tramps in high fashion crop tops, hotpants etc, my child looks like a little girl. Yes, a cookie little girl sometimes but you know, it could be any day when she becomes suddenly aware of the pressures of conforming to fashion stereotypes and we start arguing about her wanting clothes which I wouldn’t want to see a 17 year old in never mind a 7 year old!!
At the end of the day, what the hell does it matter? In the grand scheme of things, wellies with a princess dress, so what? 23 bobbles in her hair, that’s fine.
I apply the same approach to food. When she suddenly decides she would like to find out what jam on baked beans tastes like, I let her try it. Grated cheese on cheesecake, you got it. And when she makes ‘interesting’ necklaces for me from plastic beads, scoubies, paper, straws etc etc and wants me to wear it, I wear it. I wear it to the shops or to pick up/drop off at school because if she has made what she thinks is a most beautiful gift for me then I must show her it is indeed a beautiful gift that needs wearing! We must look a right pair sometimes!
You may wonder where I am going with this and it simply that we all do the best we can with the information we have and with the points of reference from our lives to date. No one has access to a window on our futures and whilst I wish soooooooooo much that Ava was still with you and I can understand your regrets about what you didn’t do, you did what was right for you at the time and now you will do what is right for you now. I have the benefit of hinsdight having lost my best friend at 18, I know that I can’t take the future for granted. I would rather turn back the clock than have this gift of hindsight but making the most of it seems like a way of making something positive come out of the losses.
I hope with all my heart that my comments have not upset you. I have learnt from my own bereavements that it is better to do or say something rather than nothing even if it’s the wrong thing because even if you mess up, people will always see your good intentions. There’s nothing worse than seeing people come back to work after losing a close relative and no one speaks to them because they don’t know what to say.
I am rambling, I am sure this could have been much shorter, so sorry about that.
Thinking about you all and wishing you strength and happiness.

you do not know me, but i can’t help but post. Your family is so Beautiful and I am so in love with your beautiful daughter Ava! She has already touched my life, by just reading through your work.
What an amazing woman you are, and a huge inspiration to me!
Thank you for letting me peek in on your life.

Isn’t it a great gift to know that you will get to be with her again! That always brings me great Comfort!
)))HUGS(((( (lots of them)

Hello,
Mandy and I have been emailing the past two weeks about some business stuff-and I discovered you through her blog.

You are an amazing photographer and mother. Your sharing here about Ava is so open and loving.
What a lucky girl she was, and your sons are, to have you for a mom.

I made you a pendant with the first picture Mandy has of Ava on her blog. I know she is with you all the time but I was so moved by your story that I really wanted to send you some love. After making it I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do-but I thought I would offer you to email me if you think you would like to have it.

misskiat@hotmail.com
Warmly,
Thea

my dd began talking as we drove errands today.. to get a new lens for me..
Mama, what do you do when you get stuck in the car?
Well, honey, I honk my horn. What do you do?
I honk the horn till you come get me.

you have made a difference.. my girls still pray for you, your family and Ava.
I love seeing Ava’s face on your blog :) just beautiful!

She is gorgeous!

((Hugs))

beautiful