Well...my old camera never turned up, so I had to purchase a new one. I'm kind of a gadget guy, so buying a new camera didn't take any twisting of my arm. The first picture of Em and P on the new camera is great!
I was looking at this picture a few minutes ago and could not believe how old the girls look. It actually took me back to a conversation with a counselor at North Kansas City Hospital just before we lost Jen. This particular counselor specialized in helping children cope with mortality, whether it be their own or that of a loved one. She said children that lose a parent at an early age "become old souls very quickly." At the time it made sense but I could not agree out of experience. Now, I know exactly what she was speaking of. Besides being very intelligent--don't I sound like a boastful parent--there is something additional they have gained from their experience in losing their mother. I can't quite explain it, but "old soul" fits. It is almost as if they have found peace with their loss and are now stronger and wiser because of it. I wouldn't be surprised if during one of my difficult moments they would sit me down on their lap and console me.
We are planning a relaxing weekend here at home. I hope you all enjoy yourselves and stay safe. Memorial Day weekend is one of rememberance for those that have given their all, which is often a life, in service to their country. As far as I am concerned, our nation is at war with cancer and Jennifer Ireland gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Chris,
Your girls are so cute! I hope that you and the girls have a wonderful relaxing weekend. You & your family continue to remain in my thoughts & prayers daily.
Jennifer
Posted by: Jennifer Teegarden MD | May 24, 2007 at 10:25 PM
Be safe and secure this week-end, and keep those two cuties safe and secure, also.....
By the way, how is the kittie? Hopefully all is well, since you have a new camera, a kitty picture would be fun, also....
Bless you and yours. Dinah
Posted by: Dinah Wonderly | May 24, 2007 at 10:42 PM
Chris & Family,
Nice picture of the girls; how sweet and adorable they are. I hope you all have a great and safe weekend. I'm sure you will have fun with the girls and I hope you get to relax and enjoy the time you have with them. Praying for you and the family. God Bless you!
Peggy
Posted by: Peggy Patrick | May 24, 2007 at 11:08 PM
DEAR CHRIS,
YOUR PIC IS WONDERFUL AND WORDS EVEN MORE POWERFUL. I FIND MYSELF SO RELATING TO YOUR WORDS OF CHILDREN BEING OF OLD SOULS. MY CAROLINE LOST HER DADDY WHEN SHE WAS 4 AND IS NOW 13, ONE WOULD THINK SHE WAS A COUNSELOR HERSELF AND HAS SAVED ME ON MANY MANY OCCASSIONS...HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND AND KNOW YOUR JEN IS ONE WE REMEMBER ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.....WITH FRIENDSHIP IN WIDOWHOOD, JEN MILLER KC, MO
Posted by: Jen Miller | May 25, 2007 at 08:12 AM
WOW! That is a wonderful picture. Even before I read your words, I thought to myself how grown up the girls looked. What sweet girls!!
Have a wonderfully restful weekend.
Posted by: Kristi E. (Lee's Summit, MO) | May 25, 2007 at 08:23 AM
What a cute picture! Sometimes I look at our girls and can't believe they are ours. They grow up way too fast.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Posted by: Alaina | May 25, 2007 at 08:35 AM
I relate to this post. My children were very young when their daddy passed, but I have noticed that they have always seemed to be a little bit more mature and caring than others their age. Your girls are no exception. They are beautiful. Have a nice holiday!
Posted by: Kim | May 25, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Great picture! The girls do look quite a bit older...they sure grow up fast! Your girls will always have a special something about them...Jennifer passed along many great things to them and they will carry those with them their entire lives! What a blessing to have! I hope you all have a wonderful, safe and fun weekend! Hope the weather is nice. What a great weekend to remember all those who have gone before us...they are always watching down over us! God bless!
Posted by: Becky | May 25, 2007 at 09:29 AM
Chris,
Your girls are adorable! Thanks for sharing your pictures and letting us continue to be a part of your life.
BTW, if you want to come to the luminaria ceremony on June 1st....it is at Fort Osage High School at 10:00pm.
Have a great weekend! We have lots of family coming down from Iowa so we will be busy.
Crystal
Posted by: Crystal | May 25, 2007 at 10:29 AM
How proud Jen is of you Chris...I just know she is smiling down at you and your adorable daughters...bless you
Posted by: sue | May 25, 2007 at 03:31 PM
Your girls are gorgeous!! They're going to grow up to be heart breakers!
Posted by: Tatum Twyman | May 25, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Adorable, beautiful girls. I hope you all enjoy your relaxing weekend @ home, you all deserve it. I will be remebering Jen this weekend and always!
Posted by: Sarah Hunter | May 25, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Too cute! That picture needs to be made into a reprint to display around your house. You are doing a great job with the girls. Enjoy your weekend and try to get some relaxation time in for yourself.
Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | May 26, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Chris they are getting so big and very beautiful! Thank you for sharing all that you do with us. I can see Jen watching you and smiling from heaven....you are doing a great job!
Posted by: Christol | May 28, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Memorial Day is the day on which the United States honors the dead of all its wars and is observed as a legal holiday in most states. It is also the day we honor Jennifer Claire Ireland, February 17, 1979 - February 4, 2007, who valiantly fought against the devastating war of cancer. To most people, this weekend holds barbecues, a weekend at the lake, openings of pools, yardwork, sleep overs, sleep ins, and an extra day to enjoy with their family. To our family it is a day to officially honor our fallen fighter... our daughter, sister, grandchild,niece, cousin, aunt, and to Chris, Emma and Peighton, their wife and mommy.
I also honor Chris on this day. He bravely and lovingly stood by my daughter's side helping her face what became the inevitable...her death from cancer. It takes a special spouse to be able to daily watch the one they chose to be with forever, suffer. Jen was comforted knowing that Chris loved her so unconditionally. Was she afraid to leave her precious daughters, her "man of her dreams", her loving family? Yes, but she knew her husband would carry on her wishes for her daughters to be loved and well cared for and for her mom to be "taken care of as well." Although I don't know about that last statement as being actually spoken by Jen, I know, as her best friend and mother, that she'd want Chris to make sure I'm ok too. And to his credit, he has. Not many son-in-laws teach their mother-in-law golfing, take them furniture shopping or buy them a grill for Mother's Day and then bring he and Jen's friends over to "christen" the grill. To be surrounded by their friends, makes that voidness that I have since Jen's passing, just a bit more manageable.
For you who get the Blue Springs Examiner, you read in Saturday's paper an article about my extraordinary son-in-law. I don't know how to add the link but perhaps if you Googled Blue Springs Examiner and entered Jen's name, you could read the article and see the photos. It is a fitting tribute not only to Jen but to Chris.
Today, in honor of your own loved ones, tell them you love them, hold them tightly, and love unconditionally.
I thank you all for continuing to follow Jen's blog site and for the continued thoughts and prayers. Also, thank you for supporting The Jennifer Ireland Foundation. Her fight and her short life will not be in vain if we can succeed with her Foundation. Being able to help Shawndra was our first step in our quest to keep the name Jennifer Ireland in people's thoughts and prayers.
God bless you all,
Jan
Posted by: Jan Velander | May 28, 2007 at 10:10 AM
What an amazing entry your mother-in-law wrote! Living in Blue Springs is a great place to live because of all the love and support this suburban area has for people! I just read the complete archives of the beautiful lady from Kansas. How amazing! I told my mom to tell my aunt to read this blog. She recently learned that one of her family members on her husband's side of the family has cancer and has 6 weeks to live. I can't help but think how this will help in comforting someone during their difficult journey.
Blessings to you and your beautiful girls on this Memorial Day.
Posted by: angela danley | May 28, 2007 at 04:43 PM
Your daughters are just beautiful, they are so lucky to have the looks of their mom. I too lost a mom to cancer at age 5 and to this day at 28 I am so happy to look like her. I used to volunteer for a great organization that I am sure you have heard of but if you haven't check it out http://www.solacehouse.org/ Can't wait to see many more stories and pictures on your wife's blog, what an uplifting site.
Posted by: Kimberly | May 29, 2007 at 09:18 AM