Thank you to everyone that has offered support before, during and after the passing of my beautiful daughter, Faith. She was an inspiration to many and a source of light for our family that is beyond compare.
I needed this blog during the many stages of emotions I went through over the past 6 months. It was a valuable tool for me and a very helpful way to unload the emotions I was feeling during this horrific time. However, I now realize I should keep my feelings private and am developing another way to share them that will continue to be beneficial for myself and my children in the years to come.
Our family is moving on in the best way we can. Each day brings new emotions and sometimes...you just can't fight them. "It is what it is". Grief is horrible and can bring you to your knees; sometimes when you least expect it.
But, our family is strong and we will continue to move forward. Some days we cry, some days we smile, some days we even laugh.....most days we do all 3! We do so with Faith's love in our mind and in our heart. We do so in honor of our precious angel looking down on us and wanting us to find peace and happiness once again.
Thank you to all who followed Faith's story. Our family really appreciates the outpouring of support we received and we will never forget it. We hope Faith made an impact on your life as she did so greatly in ours.
With love.......The Duarte's
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. You are making yourself so vulnerable, which is good but also hard I'm sure. I will never forget you or Faith, whether you continue to post here or not.
I would be honored to share your grief journey in any way that felt safe to you.
Jane
Jane - Thank you for your continued support throughout this blog. I really liked your analogy on the other post of a person in deep grief being like a drowing victim and is incapable of holding others up. I will always remember that analogy and it rings so true. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteI have made myself vulnerable...a bit too much so. My "public" self very much differs from my "private" self and that is why this was a helpful outlet for me. But, I will continue with other avenues of release that allow me to make it through this process of grief. It will be ok.
But, again, thank you for all the support you have given me. Wish you all the best in your life.
Shelly
Hi, Shelly,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that your blog has been a blessing and a reminder to me of how difficult it is to cope with grief. I think you have done an admirable job in being transparent and open, though I can understand why you'd like to close this particular way of communicating. Jeff and I are still in your corner :-) and would love to stay in touch.
Love,
Laurie
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this difficult journey with us. I check your blog all the time and have followed Faith's story from the beginning. I don't always post because I am at a loss for words. Faith made me appreciate every day with my children and reminded me that nothing should be taken for granted. Your unwaivering support and love for your little girl touched my heart and life and I am forever changed because of it. I wish you nothing but the best in all your endevors! Michelle
Laurie, I would love to keep in touch with you and Jeff. Without Faith, I would have never met you two and I am grateful she allowed my family the priveledge of knowing you!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I am so glad that Faith's story touched you so deeply. It warms my heart to know that. Thank you.
Shelly Duarte
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI for one am honored to have been given the opportunity to pray for Faith and for your family. we will continue to pray for you as not only is the first year hard but the other years as well. The pain of a loss just doesn't magically disappear on that first year anniversary.
I understand your need to go quiet as you grieve as its so hard as many people feel that if you are public they can judge. Praying for you as you find that middle ground, its not easy.
I am not sure if you are aware but you can create a private blog so you can journal your feelings and still have the opportunity to create a book in the future for your children. Just email me if you are not sure how. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Terri and crew
Here is just one of the websites that can create a book for you out of your blog...
ReplyDeletehttp://blog2print.sharedbook.com/blogworld/printmyblog/cutestblog/index.html
Terri
Terri - THANK YOU!!! That is great! I love to express my feelings because it really helps me heal. I don't do it well with words and can much better through writing. So, good to know. Yes, it is hard to feel like you are being judged when you are grieving because there is no right or wrong. There is no time frame for "moving on". As a mother...I am not sure you EVER move on...you just learn how to cope with your everyday life missing a piece of your heart and the missing part or your family. Is that correct since you are someone that can relate? So, thank you for giving me another avenue. To continue with my writing privately would be a blessing! Shelly
ReplyDeleteHi Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog for a while now. I got the link from Jane's blog (Ramona's mom). My son has tetralogy of fallot with pulmonary atresia. I wanted to thank you for allowing us all to follow Faith's journey and your story. I feel honored to have been able to 'get to know' Faith through your blog and I can assure you that I will not forget her. Thank you for sharing Faith with us all. I wish you and your family the very best!
Kelly
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your incredibly painful and touching journey with so many. You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Your story is a powerful reminder of how very precious life truly is. Thank you for your candor and raw honesty!
-Laura Jaeggi
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteYes, that is very correct. We just learn to move on missing a piece of ourselves. Each moment our family shares there is always someone we miss and realize is not with us. Its there like an elephant in the room that no one wants to acknowledge. As a Mother and parent we love our children with every fiber of our being. Our hopes and desires are in each breath they take. So its only natural and NORMAL to ALWAYS remember and hurt as we walk through the days, months and years we have left on this earth without them. Yet, we as Mothers, and Parents, learn to adjust and live on cherishing the moments and memories given. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.
Terri
I also want to say at times its not easy moving forward. The pain is always there. That is what we learn to live with.
ReplyDeleteTerri
Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI am sad to say goodbye to your blog postings, but understand your reasoning. It was a true honor to get to know you and your family through Faith. I will continue to pray for all of you. I hope we can stay in touch through email.
Love,
Andrea
We can only have Faith, Hope and Love!!!! I will miss checking up on you and your family. Faith and your family became apart of my family. Nick and I will always think of all of you. Stay strong and "KEEP The Faith". Barbara and Nick. NH.
ReplyDeleteShelly-If you only knew how much Faith and your family has touched mine. She is still considered our guardian angel and will always be, I am sad to see you go...
ReplyDeleteLynne B
Shelly & family, I drove past the Colfax exit about 10 days ago, & I wished I had called you before I left home! I think about your sweet family, Faith's family, several times a week. I thought about her the day school began here & how the rest of you were doing. I need to write you more often! Don't worry, she is not forgotten a UCD! I hope your day has gone well. Love, Diane
ReplyDeleteShelly,
ReplyDeleteI carry Faith and her story in my heart. Thank you for sharing her with us.
I've been thinking about your comment of being "too vulnerable" - I honour and respect your feelings. I shutter to think how the body of Christ could "share in His sufferings" as He did and does still today, if we didn't weep and cry out loud to one another and "carry one another's burdens." How dangerously vulnerable for Jesus to cryout on the cross, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me." Thank You O Lord, for showing me Thy humanity.
Thank you Shelly. We are one in Christ.
With love and continued prayer for you and your family,
Jackie Lipuma