Mourning

Tonight we are mourning the loss of my Uncle Alton. We lost him to a heart attack this morning.

I am glad that Anya got to meet him a few months ago but I regret that she won't have the opportunity to grow up and really get to talk to him and enjoy the wonderful person that he is. Someone that I highly respected and so greatly miss right now.

Several years ago after the passing of my aunt Jo's granddaughter Audrey, a poem was on the service page and I always remembered it. It's a reminder that while we may physically leave this world our essence in the hearts of others does not go with us. We continue to be touched by our loved ones long after.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

- Mary Elizabeth Frye

Christmas Fun

We celebrated our first Christmas with Anya and what a day it was. Santa was very kind to her and we now have plenty of marginally noisy toys for her to enjoy at the wee hours of the morning. We only have a few pictures available at the moment but I wanted to share some that we have.







Have a happy holiday !!

The Townsends

Pray For Kayleigh

I honestly don't know how many people visit our little corner of the web here but for those that do I ask for a brief moment of your time.

Some may have noticed the banner above on our blog leading to the story of a little girl named Kayleigh with a story that I can hardly summarize for you and give it the respect it deserves. She was born the day before Anya was born and at 5 and a half months her fight for survival has reached a dark hour.

As a first time parent I cannot fathom the emotions that her parents, Aimee and Adam, are going through. I am in awe of them for their strength. I am not sure I could travel their path with the example they have shown.

I ask that in whatever way you wish to do, please send out some love or a prayer for little Kayleigh and her family. If you haven't read her story I greatly urge you to. You will be amazed how someone so tiny can have such a large impact on your life.

Brad

Catching Up

Well the last month or so has proven to be quite busy in the Townsend home. All of us have been passing around the sickness of the week on a fairly steady rotation and keeping up with the little one is an acrobatic feat unto itself.

So to make up for lost time we have another post with several pics to enjoy.

First up is one of Anya's favorite new activities...The Jenny Jumper. We set this up at grandmas house and she just went to hopping around and really had a blast.



Next up we have a trip to Grandma Ford's house for Thanksgiving where Anya got to try out a new chair that grandma got for her. As usual, the trademark smile is in full affect here.


And whats your first Thanksgiving without some holiday noms, sweet potatoes!


And last but not least we have a few pics of Anya in another new exotic location, her first time in her play pen. Jury is still out on this one.


Till next time...

The Townsends