Willy's First Birthday!
Willy's Second Birthday!
Huzzah! Willy made it to TWO! The doctors said he wouldn't!
Willy's Third Birthday!
This was a biggie. We thought he wouldn't live past two and here we were celebrating birthday number THREE!
Willy's Fourth Birthday!
Willy's 4th was a simple home party but as you can see by his face, he had a blast.
Willy's Fifth Birthday!
For Willy's 5th Birthday we went all out at Chuck E. Cheese. He LOVED it.
Willy's Sixth Birthday!
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| <crickets> |
(Otherwise known as I can't find the Sixth Birthday Photos. Sigh.)
Willy's Seventh Birthday!
His 7th was a big gathering. All of his teachers and school friends and everyone was there!
Willy's Eighth Birthday!
Willy's 8th was another home party. He had a fascination with the balloons that I attached to his wheelchair. He was also a chunky monkey for some reason, diet, meds, who knows. But look at those cheeks!
Willy's Ninth Birthday!
Willy, on the verge of being a tween, wanted a hipper party than before so we went to the roller skating rink. It was a blast. He loved going around and around. We also took a small party to his school and visited that week. *Note the monkey cake!
Willy's Tenth Birthday!
DOUBLE DIGITS!!! Since Chuck E. Cheese went over so well last time we decided to do it again. He wasn't as impressed, being a "tween" and all.
Willy's Eleventh Birthday!
Todd, Trish, Ted, and I went to Willy's school with little treats and balloons. Then we had a home party with the grandparents. We didn't know it would be his last.
That's it. That's all the birthdays we can celebrate with Willy here on this plane. We sure did make the most out of his 11 years. No regrets. Not a single one.
Today we will visit the cemetery. While we know his spirit is not there, it's still the place we need to go to remember this day. There will be a group of us. I'm sure we'll sing Happy Birthday and I'll take him some flowers and a little prize. Then we will go to dinner and remember. It's just another "first" to get through.
Dear Willy,
I bet turning 12 in heaven is super cool. My mortal mind cannot even fathom what it must be like. I know there are no tears in heaven so I take great pleasure in knowing you are not sad. You are healthy, and happy, and celebrating being alive in a way you haven't ever been before. And this is your gift to me.
My gift to you on your 12th birthday is taking the memories, looking back, and smiling. Trying not to be sad - although yes, that happens often - but remembering all the wonderful, positive things we did. We had some fun. We made some changes for kiddos like you who the laws and policies sometimes seem to forget. We cuddled a lot. Looking back through all the photos I realize there were a LOT of kisses. I'm sure if you could talk you'd definitely have yelled at me for kissing your cheeks so much!
Your spirit lives on. People's lives were changed because of you. You rocked your 11 years. I know you are enjoying your reward.
Happy Birthday, Willy. We all miss you so much.
Love,
Momma
