This mama, Anissa Scholes, and I began what has become a year long across-the-miles friendship. It turns out that we had many similarities that went beyond our special girls.
Anissa and Mark Scholes are the proud parents of Elisabeth Maxine and her three brothers. She is also loved and cared for by many adoring family members, including Brittney, Anissa's sister. Better known as Aunt Bees, Brittney also followed our Everly and came to know and love her through Facebook posts and our writings.
Fast forward through the year of communications, calls, texts and messages between Anissa, Brittney and myself to Everly's Celebration of Life. We were thrilled and so excited to find out that Brittney would be coming and representing the whole Scholes family. We were just in awe that she would make the trip here from Texas, though we had never met, to honor our child.
I was pleased to be able to spend some extra one-on-one time with Aunt Bees the day following the service. One, it allowed us to get to know one another and speak about the two girls we both love so much. And, two, the day after laying your child to rest is hard. So to have plans and someone with a good ear is a blessing. We had an enjoyable afternoon going for a walk on the beach, a drive through downtown Clearwater and lunch at Columbia (believe it or not, my first time even though I've lived here 20 years!). Though Anissa was not understandably able to attend, she was with us in spirit and called during our lunch to send her love and treated us to the lunch!
I've felt such a connection to this family and through them to baby Elisabeth Maxine who turns one tomorrow! They are on a journey that we know all too well...the tense doctor's visits, the worry about germs and illness, the increased oxygen needs and all that goes with this unique walk we share. Anissa and Mark just recently shared that Elisabeth's cardiologist has some special concerns about her future. Anissa writes about this visit here and I would encourage all of Everly's friends to read and show some love to this wonderful family. (The link to Elisabeth Maxine's Facebook page is on the right.)
I am excited to be traveling to Texas at the end of the month to meet little Elisabeth and the Scholes family. I expect it to be an emotional challenge but have felt the urging to make the visit. They have been remarkably gracious with me inviting me in and welcoming the visit, even understanding my trepidation. I am glad that I have made the decision to go and expect that it will be a special time. Another perk of the trip aside from meeting all the Scholes is that I will also get to reconnect with Brittney, who has many plans for us which I love!
I know that God's ways aren't our ways and many times we aren't able to see the reasons why things occur. I will probably never know while I'm on earth why my daughter passed away at 11 months and 6 days. However, I do know that God is with me and he continues...just as he has the entire journey thus far...to be with me. I also know that the faith the Scholes family has will hold them up as they continue this roller coaster of a ride. God has been with them and they will be the first to tell you that it is He who continues to comfort them even now. Thankfully, only He is in charge and only He knows the future. We have Him to cast our worries upon and just live in the moment today.
This is probably one of my favorite verses because it tells me that He's got this and so just let it go.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Much love and blessings to all!
