Carmen is still hanging in there. She seems to be back to her baseline during the day. She did have a few episodes of heart-stopping and breathing-stopping last night but they were shorter than the night before. We appreciate your prayers so much.
Our good friends Rick and Shar came over last night after 10pm! You know you have good friends when they call at 9:30pm and say they can stop by. We are very, very blessed to know this couple. They have used the experiences and pain of their own lives to help others. They really are role models for us. We hope and pray that God will use us in such a magnificent way.
One thing I said to Rick and Shar last night is that the hardest part of losing Carmen is thinking of Lauren losing her sister, her only sibling. From the very beginning, Lauren ADORED Carmen. And Lauren never cared that Carmen could not do much. She loves her and plays with her anyway, even if she has to make up what Carmen does. A few days ago, I was taking a shower and Carmen was in the middle of my bed. Lauren was playing in my room and when I came out she said that she and Carmen had been playing hide-n-seek. She said, “I would hide under the covers and then Carmen would find me. Mom, she always seemed surprised that I was under the covers!” Carmen can no longer see or respond or move but it doesn’t matter to Lauren.
Shar reminded me last night that kids respond so very differently to death than adults. They have an acceptance that we don’t have. They live in the now but we think about the future and the “what could have been” and “should have been”. I don’t know exactly how Lauren will respond but I expect that she will go back and forth between moments of sadness and then happy-let’s-play moments. My biggest prayer for Lauren is that this whole experience will mold her into an amazingly compassionate person who learns early that our faith is not dependent on the circumstances of this life but on Jesus.
Thank you to Azeb and Reena for taking me out last night. I am still full from the fabulous Ethiopian food! Beef stew, chicken stew, sauteed beef, lentils, split peas, collard greens, hard boiled eggs, and spongy bread to pick it all up with our fingers! For those of you around here, try Addis Cafe on 355 near Lake Forest Mall. We got the Sampler and the Doro Wot. Dave and I will definitely be going back for a date night!
A few pictures of my two girls….
May 2007, Lauren was always the one person who could make Carmen smile.
May 2007, Sharing a laugh.
December 2007, Lauren reading My Little Pony to Carmen.
May 2008, Lauren and Carmen, picture by Sarah Mattingly
Hi Dave and Lana-
I am praying for you guys and Carmen and Lauren. I was reading in Psalm 121 this morning and it is so amazing that we know that our help comes from the Lord and He is the Maker of heaven and earth and Carmen. The pictures are beautiful and I can see why you are all so love in with this angel. Be blessed and please let me know if you need anything.
Your daughters are so beautiful as Christ beams through both of them. These photo’s are so very precious.
Praying for your family.
My heart aches that you three have to go through this difficult journey. We love all of you so much and are praying every day for all of you.
May our mighty God comfort and keep you during this time and always.May His mighty hand shelter you and protect you. May He grant you much peace. We are praying for you everyday.
Carmen’s a fighter and I appreciate how much love you show her and Lauren. You’re in our prayers!
Thinking of you and praying for Carmen. My heart aches for Lauren.. she is such a sweetheart. After seeing Carmen at her party, Leela (who is about the same age as Lauren) had so many questions about her and every single day she asks about her. It is hard for her to imagine that there is a sickness that you don’t get well from. Sometimes she will be sitting there very quietly (which is unusual for her) and will suddenly break her reverie and ask me questions about Carmen. All that to say, Lauren just seems so wise to me.. her acceptance of her sister just the way she is is amazing and wonderful. She really is a very special girl.
xoxo
Rashmi
Thank you for sharing your difficult journey. Carmen is an angel whose life here on earth has touched so many people and inspired us through your faith and love. You must be incredible people for God to have given Carmen to you to hold, cherish and love. And she, so blessed to have such a beautiful family. I continue to think of you an pray for you everyday. Hold on to His strength.
I have been following your journey with Carmen and it has really touched my heart. We have a little girl that we adopted from Guatemala who is now 19 mos. old (brought home at 6mos. ) and we have a 5 yr old. I think about how my two love each other and how hard it is for your whole family but I know that Carmen is so blessed to have Lauren and a family that has loved her and taken such good care of her. You have given Carmen the love and care that I am sure she couldn’t have gotten in Guatemala. I am praying for you and your family for strength and peace. Keep your eyes on God He will not let you down.
These photos are precious. I love the one of Lauren reading to Carmen. I appreciate the way you are documenting Carmen’s life and relationships with pictures and writing. These will always be such a treasure to Lauren and to all others who know and love Carmen.
Su familia es un ejemplo vivo de fe y entereza. Que Dios los guarde cerca y los acompañe ahora y para siempre. Gracias por compartir su vida y la luz que ha sido Carmen en sus vidas.
a picture is truly worth a thousand words! but don’t stop your words, they are truly amazing… all my love and prayers