This weekend was our last visit to Meemaw and Papa's house before the move. Well, technically D will be staying there a few days next week and we'll be there the night before we fly out, but it was the last relaxed weekend there before the move. It was tough being the one who had to keep it together. Mom and Dad are going to miss D so much. It doesn't help that she doesn't understand that Meemaw and Papa aren't going to be as close at the new house. It's going to be pretty darn tough explaining to her why we can't hop into the car and see them on the weekends. Yup, pretty sucky when all I wanted to do was cry and I felt like I had to keep it together for everyone else.
Mom and I escaped this afternoon to get some items I needed to get before the move when I received the most unexpected phone call. D just finished another round of ISR refresher lessons on Friday. Just a few days ago. The woman introduced herself and asked if we had scheduled ISR lessons with her teacher, Ms. Cindy. I figured it was some sort of new program where perspective parents called currently enrolled parents to find out more about the lessons and the instructor. Considering it's such a huge commitment, it made sense to me. What I didn't expect was for her to then tell me that Ms. Cindy passed away yesterday. I just can't wrap my mind around that. She was so young. We just saw her Friday. I was making plans to bring D back once a year to see her, to send pics of D swimming.....I just can't wrap my mind around it. I felt for the woman who had to make all the calls to the parents. She's known Ms. Cindy for 15 years...what an awful job to have. Then I thought of Ms. Cindy's family. We used to talk a lot during the lessons, she has two daughters in their 20's. D reminded her of her youngest. She was thinking of retiring from teaching after 20 years. Don't know how it happened, I didn't think that was appropriate to ask. The woman did offer to let me know about funeral arrangements and I hope she does. Ms. Cindy gave D skills that will last her her lifetime. D loves water, has self rescue skills, is enthused about swimming. What a wonderful legacy to pass on to so many kids and families.
I've been praying for her family all day. Would I feel like this if I weren't pregnant? I can't say. My heart hurts for her family. What am I going to say when D asks for her? We were talking tonight before bed and she said a phrase and I asked her who said that and her whole face lit up and she said "Ms. Cindy!" Yup, she adored Ms. Cindy. I've not seen her get so excited with many other people like that before. I trusted her with my child. I handed over my precious little girl daily for these tough lessons and I am so grateful that I did. What a wonderful gift she has given us.
I always give a little gift at the end of our weeks of lessons. This time I was running late and almost didn't; figured I would stop by in the next few weeks and drop it off. For some reason I took the time and sat down and wrote her a thank you note expressing exactly how much she meant to D and to our family. I left that note along with a boomerang (for our move to Oz) for her. I really hope she read it. I hope she knew how much she meant to our family.
I just don't know what to think or feel right now. I am glad I listened to my God whisper on Friday and wrote that note. I need to open my ears and heart more to these whispers.
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