In Loving Memory.
Today we saw Ava’s headstone finally completed. It has taken me so long to do this – I found it a near impossible task and many, many days I would attempt to sit down and put it together and not be able to.
How do you choose the best photo? How do you find the perfect words to say everything we feel about her, to describe just how special she was? It was just so difficult. The very act of having to design a headstone..for Ava…?
(I. Still. Don’t. Understand.)
I knew it would be confronting, to see it, but I didn’t expect it to be as awful and as beautiful as it was. Many, many tears later, we left..pleased that we felt we’d paid tribute to our darling girl in a way we think she would approve of.
Thankyou, 1000 thankyous, to Mandy for creating the illustration we have included and now hangs in so many homes around the World. It was perfect for the words we wanted and when I look at it, I also reflect on the past year and how much comfort those illustrations have given me at times. More than anything, I hope what we’ve created shows Ava’s beauty and her love of life.
It’s hard to post this entry tonight but I thought it would be nice to share the image we used for those who can not visit Ava’s garden. It is quite large and sits behind glass – it is truly beautiful to see in person. Please click to enlarge if you wish to read it.
With love
84 shared sentiments
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God bless you and your family.
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Oh Sheye,
After the comment in your email tonight I had to come straight here…It’s beautiful. So beautiful. Just to actually have it finished has obviously taken so much out of you, but you have captured of what I imagined Ava to be. It’s perfect and obvioulsy from the heart.
She would be so proud of you all I’m sure.Much love,
Emps..glad I could make you smile, something made me rush out this afternoon to take those pics to send, maybe it was Ava giving me a nudge, knowing that you needed to see them tonight. I’d like to think so.
And yes Kitty’s a bit of an Oilily girl, It was a sad day when the Melbourne store closed down earlier this yr!!
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sheye, what a beautiful tribute to ava and what a beautiful space you now have to visit. the words you chose are perfect. may she rest peacefully xx
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It’s beautiful, Sheye. Beautiful and perfect. You did a wonderful job.
My prayers for you as my heart aches for you today.
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I’m crying with you-
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what an absolutely beautiful tribute to your equally beautiful daughter. God bless you all.
hugs.
tara
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What a beautiful testament to your darling Ava.
Hugs,
Rachel
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It’s amazingly beautiful! Whenever I see a picture of Ava, it just takes my breath away and I can’t believe how beautiful she is……this is one of my favorite pictures of her.
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It’s as beautiful as it could possibly be. Perfect.
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It is beautiful.
xoxo
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Even after clicking on the photo to enlarge it, it was still hard to read because my eyes were so filled with tears. What a precious tribute to a beautiful darling angel.
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Wow! That is absolutley beautiful. And the words are so so sweet!
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Sheye, that is so beautiful. SHE is so beautiful. My heart aches for you, I cannot imagine what you’ve been through – but I know you’ll get to be with her again.
Much love and hugs to you and your beautiful family.
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Beautiful X
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So beautiful. I’m beyond words. Only tears.
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Sheye – it is Breathtaking, Beautiful. I have never seen anything so Grand. I’m sure Ava would approve. What a wonderful tribute you have made to her. You continue to be an inspiration to me.
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Oh gosh what words are there for this. Beautiful Sheye, you, her the headstone, all beautiful. Like I said before Ava’s phtos are so mesmerizing like you can reach out and touch her. You have honoured her beautifully. I wish you comfort and peace.
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She is just so beautiful and I am deeply touched.
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love and blessings from the other side of the world…
~dani
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Withyou today Sheye…
Rosie……
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Oh Sheye!! So many hugs to you!
I’m sitting here with chills. It is like you say; both beautiful and awful.
Beautiful because it is a reminder of your precious angel,
and awful because it even has to be.
You’re in my thoughts today.
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simply beautiful. simply PERFECT.
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Sheye,
No parents should have to do what you did today. But you did Ava proud, everything about it is perfect and Superprincessy.
I’m just so sorry you had to x
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That is truly one of the most difficult things a parent may have to do. Ever. Sorry you had to. Many hugs and kisses for you and your family.
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sheye, that is just gorgeous. I am in tears. SHe is so lucky to have such a beautiful mom. You have said so much in such a little space, and it is just perfect. Love makes everything perfect.
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It’s beautiful and fitting. In some ways I feel like I know Ava even though I live on the other side of the planet and never had the opportunity to meet her but you capture her beauty and spirit so well in pictures and words. God bless you and your family.
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Sheye-that is so beautiful. I think it is so perfect, from all that you’ve shared about sweet Ava.
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breathtakingly beautiful.
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My prayers are with you and your family. My heart aches with you every time I read your blog. I was in tears reading this post, as always happens when you write about Ava. I appreciate you finding the strength to share this beautiful, perfect monument, to a much loved, and missed Ava.
Mommy hugs,
Caroline
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What a beautiful tribute to Ava. Truly. It’s amazing how you were able to fit so much of her personality and who she is in such a small space. There’s no doubt she’d love it! Wishing you much love and “only blessings” today.
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Thank you for sharing something with us that is so difficult.
Her memory is gorgeous.
~Tara
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she is absolutely beautiful sheye.
and this turned out perfect. many prayers and hugs to you! xx
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Wow Sheye,I came to your blog this morning and upon seeing Avas face, realised that she was in my dream last night.She was sparkly,sweet and gorgeous,and i was crying for your family and their loss.Find comfort in the fact that she has touched so many lives with her spirit that you,her mother,created and have kept alive so beautifully.Another step on your journey,and another amazing tribute to your angel Ava. xx Lou
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Sheye, it’s just perfect. xxx
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(((XXXXXXX ))
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Wow Sheye… that’s beautiful and those words are beyond perfect.
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Playing in God’s garden…….
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The photo, the wording it says it all, this lttle girl was SO loved.
Beautiful.PS Mandy has just completed an illistration of my 4 boys. She is amazing isn’t she.
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breath takingly beautiful. wonderfully amazing. and she will be remembered for ever.
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Absolutely breathtaking. You continue to be an inspiration to me everyday. Thank you for sharing this.
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As I read this the tears started to stream down my cheeks, and as I looked into those eyes my heart broke. This is a beautiful tribute to her. I can’t imagine how difficult it was to share it, but thank you for doing so.
love. jbxo
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What a beautiful tribute. Thanks for sharing.
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so beautiful, perfect image, perfect words.
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What a wonderful and beautiful memorial for your little SuperPrincess!
Just Perfect.
Hugs,
Tanya
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Beautiful.
Tara (msf)
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Sheye, Ava’s beauty and love of life shine through in this beautiful tribute you created for her. The photo you selected is breathtakingly beautiful and captivating. A perfect tribute to your Superprincess.
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Oh Sheye,
I think it is just perfect!! You can just “see” how cherished and loved your Ava is. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you and your Ava. I will continue to keep you in my htoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Chesnye
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i cant imagine how hard this would have been for you. its beautiful.
i dont know ur family but ive been reading your blog for about 10 months. ive visited here nearly every day since then. sometimes it makes me smile, other times it makes my heart ache for your family.
today it gave me an image. i imagined little ava in heaven and she was just surrounded by feathers. God’s feathers. it was just so peaceful. they were falling down around her – like God was playing with her, enjoying her friendship.
i hope im not out of line by sharing that. but it made me realise that she is still who she is … just in another world away from ours.
she is so beautiful. is.
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I hope this will give you comfort.
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20050501/article_02.htm
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I love seeing in frames, I love the beauty in the ordinary, I love my camera, I love that when I see images I hear too. I love the latelight, I love finding moments I didn’t imagine and I love creating moments I did. I love learning more every day, I love sharing what I’ve come to know, and I love making pictures pretty.
I’m so glad you stopped by. xx
Just beautiful xoxo