Today is Emma’s 16th birthday. I have thought about this post for 7 months now. I still don’t even know what to say.
I can’t believe she is not here with us. I just can’t even believe it.
There just isn’t a scenario in which I would live this life without her. She is my oldest girl. Our rock. The only one who would answer their phone or text me back. My hardest delivery and most stubborn child. But the child who was most like me.
Emma 15th birthday photo credit: Avery Ivanovsky
There is so much to say. Yet, I can’t find the words.
My husband wrote a beautiful message on his site, that you can read HERE. I know that it was very hard for him to do. I am so proud of him for being able to say anything at all so personal.
We are asking that you help us remember Emma today by doing a random act of kindness for someone today. Please read more about Emma and why we do these acts of kindness in her name. Emma’s site is called A Gift From Emma.
You can print her pass along cards and hand them out.
If you want to read more about what I have written about the grief that you feel when you loose a child, you can see my posts about Emma here.


















Part comedian, part Dad, part athlete. He will boss around your children while they play ball.
Just as angelic as she looks, this girl could easily raise a Village by herself, and all the children would grow up to be President.
Self proclaimed, she would be a webkinz dog. Because, "they're cute, and puppies are too. And they're sweet and they always get along with other puppies."
This mini-Martha Stewart can handle ANY craft you send her way. She isn't all bows and rainbows, she's got karate kid moves!
Not "Pick-Me-Up" like caffeine, she wants you to pick her up! AND NOW!
Anything that can be destroyed WILL be destroyed!
Practically Perfect in Every Way for now! Nicknamed "The Panda" she is rolly polly and lives by the motto, "the little one, is KING!"
The resident Labradoodle, Miller got his name because Mom won and got to name the baby! Need something chewed up? He'll take care of it. Especially if it's expensive..