Honoring Emily in Tennessee

I thought this deserved a post all of its own. The whole reason we went to Tennessee was to escape, heal, be together, lift each other up. Each of us had our turn being sad. And there were 15 people around to hold us while we cried, speak of a memory and make us laugh. That made the sadness bearable. This week was so sad without Emily. The four month anniversary of her death, her 17th birthday, and Christmas all in one week. Can you blame us for going to Tennessee? It wasn't a miracle place. We aren't instantly fixed. But it was a little bit of a band aid. We will never forget our four story lakeside house in the hills.

Our last night there, after all the cleaning and packing, we payed tribute to our sweet Emily. She was in Tennessee with us...we took her there in our hearts. We whispered to her when we were sad. We laughed and smiled when we felt her presence as we talked and played. She was right there with us. Each of us took a rock and wrote a message to Emily. Then we made the trek down to the pier. On the count of three, all 14 of us yelled We love you Emily and threw our messages into the water. They will forever be there, the same way Emily will forever be in our hearts.