As we are driving in the car on our way to be with our families gathered for Thanksgiving, we cannot help but to reflect on the past 6 months since our angel grew her wings, and we prepare for this holiday season without her.  I sit here thinking how we should have a 6 month old screaming in the car for the 3 hour drive, and I should have been “stressing” all week on packing for a few days, and what she would wear for her first Thanksgiving all while trying to squeeze in family pictures for our first Christmas card. Instead, the truck is quiet, I never got to shop for “the outfit”, and another year goes by that we don’t send out Christmas cards of our growing family. As anyone can imagine, every emotion is present: sadness, anger, jealousy, anxiousness, confusion, but at the same time we can’t help but to feel beyond thankful to be surrounded by so much love. This past year is what we like to hopefully think will be one of the worst years of our lives. We will never even begin to fully explain the challenges we faced as we prepared for months to meet our daughter, give her the best life we could no matter how short, and lay her down to rest peacefully. Even though this year has brought upon so many trials, we are forever grateful that God trusted us and made us Emery’s parents. We are thankful for the six most wonderful days we were blessed with her, which were filled with so much love and joyfulness. Seeing the impact she made and continues to make on so many lives comforts us knowing that all of this pain has a purpose. We are beyond thankful to our parents, families, and friends for your patience and understanding as we know that we are not at our best, yet you all continue to show us so much love and compassion when each of you are hurting as well. We are thankful for every random text, phone call, e-mail, and note just checking in on us. For every heart resemblance or turtle significance that reminds you of our sweet girl; knowing that Emery was thought of and remembered brings more joy to us than you will ever know! For every parent who has told us that they try to be better parents since hearing our story, for anyone going through a rough patch and question their faith but then remind themselves you can’t do it alone, and for everyone who doesn’t know what to say but prays for us…thank you! From the bottom of our hearts, we are forever grateful for each of you who have gotten us through this year. We have found strength when we have felt like we couldn’t go anymore and truly believe it is because of the power of prayer from each of you that gets us through.  As we all embark on this holiday season, remember to squeeze your loved ones extra tight and don’t take a second for granted. May God Bless and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, The Bordelons