Thank You Layla

I awoke this morning and went through the same routine I do every school morning. I fed the kids breakfast. I checked homework. I said I love you's and gave kisses. I checked Twitter to check on little Layla as I always did every morning. It became routine. She captured my heart. There was nothing new. I hoped with all hope that she had made it through another night. At about 1:30PM though, that hope was gone when I read this message "Layla went to play with the angels early this morning. Rest in peace precious Layla. 11/26/2007 - 3/9/2010". My heart sank for the Marsh family. My heart cracked for little Layla. I actually cried. It's hard not to cry now. I never met her, I never met her parents, but her fight touched me. Over the past few weeks I found myself celebrating the little things and hoping for a miracle right alongside of thousands of other people reading her story. Over the past few weeks, I learned. Here's what I've done since "meeting" Layla.

-I let Claire "help" fold the laundry without getting angry or saying no. I watched her unfold all of my folds and giggle that little giggle. I drank in her laugh and tiny shrieks of joy. It didn't matter to me that I had to do it all again.

-I left the dishes in the sink and on the counter and played with Grayson's toes instead. His belly laugh was better than the sound of water hitting the bottom of my sink.

-I read Ethan extra pages of his book when he asked. I was exhausted and he had school the next day, but I flipped ahead a few pages and put the bookmark in our new stopping point, and picked up where we left off.

-I lingered over cribs in the night to watch my children sleep. I rested my hand a little longer over Ethan's hair when I pulled his blankets up at night. I felt my heart swell with love over my baby's.

-I've taken the time to cuddle each one of my children close, heads rested on my shoulder, hearts beating against my chest, and cherished every moment of it.

Little Layla changed the way I interact with my children. She's touched my heart. I'm terribly sad that she had to go, but her work here is done. She has done more in her 2 years here on Earth that I will ever do. She's given people stronger faith, stronger connections to their families and raised awareness for other people suffering from Neuroblastoma. She did not die in vain. She'll always be remembered. So, thank you Layla..Thank you.

((Donations to help with Layla's medical bills can be made to Layla's parents on their blog at http://laylagrace.org and you can still purchase Layla Grace tutus from Little Miss Diva Tutus with $15 from your Layla Grace purchase going to the Marsh family.))