Over the Rainbow.
I am waking up to your footsteps on my floor. Making toast for four. Finding spotty socks for kindy. Prettying your hair. Making strawberry milk. Buying things that sparkle. Taking you to ballet. Showing you off. Watching you swim. Hearing you sing. Taking your photos. Holding out my hand for your frangipanis. Laughing at your laugh. Reading Pat The Bunny. Kissing you goodnight. Breathing you in. Marveling. Adoring. Expecting a tomorrow.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, I am with you.
She always takes my breath away!
Sunshine & Rainbows beautiful family x♥x
Such a sweet post Sheye. Such a sweet photo of your precious Ava. Still thinking of you.
Marsha
xx
While browsing a photography website I came across Ava’s postcard. It immediately caught my eye beacause my youngest daughter’s name is Ava. I clicked, read, gasped & continued to your blog with my heart in my throat. Sobbing with every word I have read, I find myself in awe. In awe of your strength, your will, your courage to keep Ava’s memory alive and make others aware by sharing your tradgedy with the world. You are remarkable in every sense of the word. May God’s love comfort you each day.
Always,
Luci Foster Thornton
this is beautiful sheye. thinking of you and your family at this time xx
Such a beautiful post. I love that photo of Ava.
Thinking of you and your family.
Rissa xx
Beauty Full post Sheye, Ava’s beauty is breathtaking… holding you & your gorgeous family in my heart…
L. Tan xx
I stumbled into your website three years and three days ago. I have been following the journey with tears and smiles for three years and three days. One day when I hopefully get my own pink one, I will name her Ava. There is possible no other way. And when she will get older, she will hear the stories about the original superprincess. Lots of love to you all.
Beauty Full. Yes, some day, over the rainbow.
what a beautiful post! ive never seen this photo of ava before… its so so precious… somewhere over the rainbow dreams really do come true! hugs to you all x
Much love……blue skies and lemon drops x
My heart still aches for you! Someday you will be on the other side of the rainbow with your darling Ava.
Although I don’t know you I’ve woken up thinking of you for several days now…this doesn’t make it easier for you but know that you have impacted a mother and her daughter with your beautiful stories.
beautiful as always…I’m in tears….
You really have a special gift to write your feelings down. I am sooo sorry for your loss and I wish I could make it unhappen.
I am always in awe over the amazing pictures you have of sweet Ava and how you describe your grief so beautifully. You truly have turned something so tragic into something beauty-full to share with the rest of us and touch us in such a way that we are never the same. My heart goes out to you Sheye & family during this most difficult week, and every other day of the year that you must miss your dear Ava.
heaven must be celebrating the day they were blessed to have that princess with them!
I just know in my heart that Ava is waiting for you at the other end of the rainbow, missing,yearning, and loving you just as much as you love,miss, and yearn for her. Your post is so moving, and Ava’s photo is beautiful.xo
What a beautiful post.
that is such a darling picture of Ava….I love seeing new pictures of her,
they are like little treasures. I am sure they are like gold to you!
This is just beautiful Sheye. I wish so much that she were here with you.
My heart breaks for you often. LOVe, Tara Pakosta
I will never forget her, Sheye. All my love and strength to you.
Words cannot express how deeply I hurt for you. Your little girl IS so beautiful in every way. I do not even wish to imagine how you miss her. Much love to you.
all our love to you and your strength is amazing.
May the rainbow shine all of its lovely colors over your family during this hard time…and may Ava dance her Superprincess dance across it.
All our love to you and yours,
Nessa, Lissandra and Brianna
Beautiful words, Sheye. You are my hero.
thinking of you and praying for you always.
Oh Sheye,
I can not put into words how my heart aches for you and your family.
All I can say is God Bless you all. Lots and lots of hugs and love from my
family to yours.
Every time I think you’ve posted the most gorgeous image of Ava, you turn around and post another. Sending my love and as always … thinking of you.
I have no words…I just want to tell you there are a lot of people with you and your beautiful family…Ava is the best super princess forever…
Beautiful rememberings of your beautiful daughter. xx
Beautiful Sheye….thinking of you every day. Thank you for sharing Ava’s beautiful light
with all of us. She shines bright.
she is such a beautiful girl sheye and it feels like ‘to know’ her. Because she is ‘around’ us and that’s because of you. Thank you for sharing your deepest feelings and rememberings. Love from switzerland.
My heart aches for you…many prayers!
you are very much in my mind and heart sheye. sending love.
So much love to you, Sheye. So very, very much. I need to send you a song. It’s really important. Going to email you now.
Her beautiful face and your precious memories move me to tears…. Thinking of you always and today especially! May your Superprincess wait on her pink cloud and watch over you all until you’re together!
Wow, that picture literally took my breath away. So gorgeous, love her hair!
Thinking of you always, much love.
Beautiful Ava. Sheye, you do an amazing job of keeping your heart intact, cracks and all. I so wish it could be different. Sherri XO
Thinking of you and your family Dear Sheye…..xoxo
I would love your blog even more (as if!) if you would post the actions that you used with each photo. I got your eye candy actions for Christmas, but there are so many of them, I don’t know where to start.
to the superprincess!
Impossibly beautiful.
Unimagineably painful.
My inspiration.
Thinking of you with love; I never tire of your beautiful pictures, especially those of Ava. After happening upon your website this last year, I immediately began teaching my precious 3-year old boy how to unlock and open the car door from the inside, and he finally got it after much practice. It had never crossed my mind before that I should teach him to do this.
she is gorgeous. and someday, over the rainbow, she’ll be even more beautiful. praying for you tonight.
She is so beautiful. Just beautiful. Thinking of you…
I love this photo of Ava, I love seeing new photos of her picture perfect face.
Such beautiful words. such a beautiful family. such a beautiful super princess.
thinking of you always.
much. love. hugs. and. kisses.
Emma
xxxx
Everyone has a story, and Sheye I really want to thank you for sharing yours. Your words and photos are so heartfelt and poignant…I always get misty eyed reading your blog, but I also get such a sense of hope. That even when the unimaginable happens, we can somehow, through the grief and darkness, grab on to the tinest ray of light and move forward. You are an inspiration, and your story is a timely reminder that we should all slow down and cherish every moment. x
my heart aches for your heartbreak…it is just not fair we have to suffer life without one of our precious children…
Thinking of you and sending your love and sparkles.xxxxx
lovely image. thinking of you and sending big hugs!
Beautiful words for your princess. I wish so much your Ava was here with you.
She is beautiful… I often think of you and then I remember to appreciate every moment here on earth.
Warm hugs from Norway!!
Your superprincess lives on in all the hearts who read your beautiful words about your beyond beautiful girl. You truly are an inspiration….thinking of you and your family and sending you hugs and love <3 x
Tears. Admiration. Respect. Inspiration. Love.
K. xox
What a beautiful post. Thinking of you right now xx
My heart is with you and your family this week Sheye, it’s my daughters 6th birthday on Tuesday and I almost feel guilty celebrating it, but Ava is my inspiration that we should celebrate everyday like there is no tomorrow, not just celebrate the special occassions, but to rejoice and find pleasures in the simple things and to try and soak up those little moments that at first don’t seem very special but are more times than not the things that end up warming your heart.
As painful as it is losing your beautiful Ava I am sure it warms your heart thinking of all little things that made Ava the special little girl that she was and that can never be taken away.
Love and hugs Kylie xx.
I am gasping at her beauty. I am crying tears for your heartache. I am in awe of your courage and your grace. I have an Ava too, an Ava born in August, an Ava who is 3 years and six months, an Ava who crosses her arms and huffs `unfair’, an Ava who wears many skirts! When my girls and I dance in the kitchen, I think of your precious Ava twirling above us – thank you for inspiring me daily to be easier on myself and to hold onto my three girls extra tight. There will be a place for you both to be together over that rainbow.
oh sweet sheye… i have you in my heart today, this month, and always. so brave. so strong. such a wonderful mama.
emily
Absolutely breathtaking.
Beautiful, Sheye, both Ava AND you.
This is my favorite picture of Ava. She is sooo beauty full :)
Lots of love
you may have already heard this…
but if not, look up “somewhere over the rainbow”
by eva cassidy…it’s my favorite version
and everyone i’ve showed it too falls in
right along with me…
you’re stronger than i could ever be.
Have you ever heard the version of “Somewhere over the rainbow” by Brother IZ. He was an amazing Hawaiian singer. This song made him famous, such a beautiful emotionally strong version. I think you would really love it!
Love you Sheye…
Simply. Beautiful.
Sheye,
What a beautiful post and beautiful picture of sweet Ava. Thanks for helping me recognize and appreciate all the wonderful little moments that I get to experience with my boys. Will continue to pray for your family and think of you as always.
Much love to you. She is just so lovely and so missed.
raindrops on roses xxx her love is all around xx :)
Absolute perfection ~ your writing, your photography and your gorgeous girl.
x
A reminder. Among lovely words of missing and loving. The love of today. Thank you Sheye.
She’s still beautiful, as are your words x
your words and how you express yourself never ceases to amaze me.
Ava will live on in your words, and your heart forever.
thank you for sharing…
Beautiful, and heartrending. How I wish she was still in your arms.
Sheye, she is so beautiful. Ava has taught me so much, to appreciate the moments, even the most difficult of moments with my children. Much love and strength to you, Ava and your family.
I was fowarded your eyecandyactions link from a family member about 2 weeks ago and I started reading your blog. I am SO sorry for your loss…for I can’t even imagine. Your daughter is the most BEAUTIFUL little girl….! I have a 1 yr old little girl,Rylee Rae and I love her more than anything in the world..and my heart just breaks for you. Please know that I have been praying for you for many days…I don’t believe that I came across your site by accident…prayers are very powerful when we don’t have the strength of our own. I also would like to say that ALL your photos and actions are amazing, reading your blog shows me that your are an amazing person too! I VERY MUCH admire you for posting pics of Ava and keeping her memory alive…she was lucky to have you for a mommy!! Also, you have a beautiful family…I love reading and seeing your beautiful photos…! You have awesome taste in everything…I too am a vintage, anything girly lover. Stay strong…& God Bless! -Hugs-
Thinking of you and your family so much. Love and prayers from NY.
~Kristin
I’m not sure what moves me more–your beautiful words or Ava’s beautiful face. I think of your family so often, especially whenever my daughter does a twirl! Love and prayers from Oklahoma!
I’ve read your words, looked at Ava’s photo and then read the comments. I’m sorry Sheye, I have no words right now – the tears falling from my eyes won’t allow me to think of any words. But I am thinking of you…and your little girl.
Thinking of you, your family and beautiful Ava. Hugs and Kisses from Kentucky! I dedicated the song I can only Imagine…search it on youtube! May you always keep God close as you grieve!
I can’t escape her sweet little angel face. I’m a photographer as well and discovered your superprincess card while visiting a blog. Your grace is astounding and your will to create a legacy for your beautiful Ava is remarkable. Love to your precious family.
She is beautiful. It is obvious that she is her mothers daughter. I am sorry for the heartache.
Love you Sheye. Sending rainbows your way…
There’s not a day that goes by when your not in my thoughts. Sometimes Im even lucky enough to have you in my dreams. (someone posted this on facebook, it made me think of you and your Ava when I read it)
Ava, I think this picture represents you exactly how I imagine…you sitting at the feet of Jesus…pink, sparkly, beautiful, I can only imagine how you looked as you entered into Heaven–holding Jesus by the hand….I bet you took the angels’ breath away…such a perfect little angel
I stumbled across your blog last week, and have since read it from start to finish. The first night, I went straight home and talked to my 5-year-old son and three-year-old daughter about Ava’s rule. The second night, I sobbed hysterically as I read more about your beautiful daughter and thought about how much you must miss her. The third night I realized how lucky and blessed I am, and I hugged my kids a little tighter. Since then, I have dressed my daughter up like a princess, tiara and all, and allowed my son to play trucks in the mud. Thank you for inspiring me to appreciate and embrace even the most mundane and simple things. Your daughter will forever live on in my memory.
Sheye, I want to thank You for sharing. Sharing Your mind, Your soul, Your unbelievably big Heart. Your single word is so impresive, so touching. You exalted the connection between mother and daughter in the way I felt it but never could describe in words. Your blog made me fall to thinking of insignificant caprices of my daughter, I feel differently about recurred colds of my daughter since she started to go to kindy.. Everthing seems so trifle compare to what hapened to Your family.
I follow the sites and forums of mothers who suffers for their child having cancer, I pray for them, I suffer for them, but I’ve never seen such a power of words as I found it here, in Your blog. Your are a SUPERMOTHER. I am fascinated. And your photos they are marvelous, I think the photos make this place, this blog even more celestial.
Even thought I have my own princess who is 3 years old, I admit that there is only one super princess in the world, Ava is unimagenably Beauty Full.
Best wishes for Your faily and for heaven sent Ivy, she has the best angel-guard ever.
Sheye.you are incredible.you have no idea of the amount of people that you and your family has touched.I am in awe of you.The way you live your life,the way you capture the moment,the way you make us feel your words.ava takes my breathe away with each new photo.she is always with you.Thankyou for inspiring XX Lou
While browsing photos on a 365 photo project site, I came across a link to your actions. I was impressed by the look and feel of the photo, so I hopped on over, expecting the average photographer’s blog. But average you are not – you are amazing, and inspiring. I went back to the beginning and read almost straight through – stopping only for meals and to play with and bathe my 15 month old daughter. Your story has really struck a chord with me. I’ve lost family members due to illness before – my father from lymphoma when I was 19, grandparents from various cancers when I was younger – but the fact that you lost your Ava so suddenly, on such a normal day, has made me want to cherish and treasure every single moment even more than I already do. My husband laughs at me for having a mini photo shoot with our little Emily nearly every day, he used to think it silly – now I can only imagine how important they will be to us if something were to happen to her.
I also truly admire your newfound fearlessness. I have always been afraid of change, anything new, anything that could hurt me (I don’t even drive a car!), and pretty much anything that takes me out of my itsy bitsy comfort zone. It’s like I’m afraid to really live. Your courage and strength, however, inspire me to stop being such a scaredy cat – start living life because you never know when tomorrow’s not going to come.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, as well as your beautiful photos of your family. You are an inspiration, Sheye.
Ave is SO breathtakingly beautiful, Sheye, as are your words and thoughts of her. Love to you and yours. Thank you for sharing her with us. I have a lump in my throat. When you are with her again it will be as if you were never apart.
Just noticed I hit the wrong key! Ava, not Ave. Sorry!
I cannot imagine your pain. (((HUGS))))
listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAIKznMPXUk
it’s beautiful
Everything happens for a reason. Some things just happen to early. God had his reasons for taking precious Ava away. Now she is an Angel with wings and a halo. Don’t be afraid to feel her. They say children when they die they become angels and fly around their loved ones everyday. I pray for you and your family to be well. x
When I discovered your site, I instantly fell in love with your photos and your heart warming stories. Thank you for sharing your journey…those days when you held your precious AVA in your hands and now that you still hold her dear in your heart. You are truly an inspiration to all mothers, wives and women.
Beautiful memories…thank you for sharing Sheye.
So beautiful, so sad. Thinking of you!♥ – Heidi from Norway
somewhere over the rainbow all is right. this must be so. xo
Many blessings to you and your family. I do not understand the pain of a mother losing a child, but that same February, I lost my best friend – so I can imagine the pain. Like you, I’ve chosen to live my life with more vigor and a passion for loving every moment spent with the ones I love. Thank you for sharing your story and little Ava with us!
Sheye, I don’t think anything happens for a reason–I can’t imagine why losing a precious, beautiful daughter like Ava would have a purpose in the whole scheme of things! (In response to reading through some comments above.)
No, the dance of life is simply that terrible things happen to wonderful, undeserving people, and sometimes you just have to get right in life’s face and yell back to it, “You know what, right now this is so UNFAIR and I’m so ANGRY at you for doing this to me”!
I’m only 19, but last year I lost my boyfriend of 2 years to a car accident; we were both 18. Your words shoot straight to my heart—and your pictures illuminate a sense of beauty I haven’t seen for a long time. I too want to be in that place over the rainbow where we can hold our loved ones again–not on this long dark road of grief, which we never imagined we would have to walk.
Ava is beautiful. I think of her often since I found your blog. Know that she’s in my heart, just as much as my Micah is. Wishing you happiness today. XOXO -Becca
Hi Sheye
I’ve been silently popping in and visiting your beautiful blog from time to time over the last little while, and I just wanted to say, I completely feel your pain over losing your gorgeous daughter. My own younger brother passed away a couple of weeks before last Christmas, and without doubt, it was the most difficult thing I have ever had to deal with. He’d been fighting a very aggressive form of cancer for about 13 months. He gave it his all, but sadly, it wasn’t enough. Even though we knew it would probably happen, nothing could have prepared me for the depth of shock and numbness I experienced the day it did happen, and have felt many times since. Even now it still feels very surreal. It’s wonderful that you’ve had so much support through the experience. My thoughts are with you. warm regards, Tracy Edgar
O Sheye … Yes, yes you are.
This photos is so beautiful, my heart aches for you. Your family is wonderful.
She’s beautiful.