Our sweet daughter died in 2023.
I could easily sum up the entire year in that sentence.
And it is true. And it is awful. And it is painful.
But it would be unjust to summarize the entire year with only that impossibly heavy event.
In 2023, we saw so many miracles - BIG ones - and so much beauty.
Georgia was accepted for deep brain stimulation surgery in January - something we were expecting to wait months and months for. Our community rallied behind us - covered us in prayer, provided us with so many meals, and blessed us financially. The surgery was successful, no complications (which are common for younger children), and we got discharged early! We started seeing improvements shortly after as well. Miracles.
Two days later, we got approved for provincial funding (very, very rarely approved) which would provide 24/7 nursing in our home. Miracles.
We brought on five more nurses who treated George like the absolute princess she was. They all cuddled, researched, and looked for any ways possible to keep G happy and comfortable. Miracles.
Through Georgia's palliative doctor, Georgia and I were invited as guests of honour to a Gala to raise funds for an upcoming hospice project. To see G's eyes light up when she saw her dress and to watch her experience the night with absolute glee is a memory I will treasure forever. It was her first good night in months. Miracles.
George got her Wish (a therapy pool), through Tender Wishes, delivered exactly a month before she passed. It was her happiest place. Miracles.
When we got the news that Georgia's body was shutting down, our community once again rallied around us and held us up so tightly. We had 3 angel photographers reach out and do our last family photo sessions before she passed. One of those photographers even came after G had passed to do some final photos (Bless you, Melissa Miller). We had the most meaningful and stunning presents given to us. We felt an incredible peace in the midst of our darkest days. Miracles.
Georgia's doctors warned us that children often pass when their parents are away, as a way to protect them. When I heard this, I told Connor that I would not be able to handle that. I needed her to go to heaven from my arms. And she did. And with a smile on her face.
Miracles.
Georgia's funeral was so full of people who had been impacted by her...even though she had only met a small handful of them. Miracles.
We had a family member generously offer to send us on a trip so we spent 10 incredible days in Hawaii (special shout out to Annette Tomlinson for making that trip happen with zero notice). It was a special blessing to have the space, beauty, and time there to grieve. A time we will never forget.
Connor was able to take off three months of work, paid. Miracles.
We have seen some of the most beautiful butterflies and sunsets since Georgia died. We call them Georgie kisses.
I met a mom through Instagram who lost her 3 year old, medically complex, daughter two days after Georgia had passed. We are now incredibly close friends. We just know our girls are now the best of friends in heaven now too. Miracles.
To say 2023 held the darkest days for us would be true AND it also held the brightest, most unforgettable blessings and miracles.
In 2023, Jesus swept Georgia out of this world, away from her suffering, and He lined an impossible path of grieving and mourning for us with so much heavenly beauty.
Grieving and grateful,
Sarah
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