Happy birthday Hannah! It doesn’t seem possible (or right) that we have now celebrated more of your birthdays without you even being here with us. We still miss you like crazy. Every night your brothers and I give thanks for the time we had with you but I still wish we had more…a lot more. Do you ever get to hear those prayers? I hope so. It is so sweet to hear your brothers talk about you. They are still so proud to be your big brothers. Levi especially loves talking about his “baby sissy”.
Even your baby brother seems interested in you. He really enjoys it when we lay him down next to the blanket with your pictures. He will often just contently lie there and talk to you. It’s nice (and kind of weird) having a baby in the house again but mommy and daddy still miss our Hannah cuddles.
Every so often we still hear about people whose lives have been touched by your life and your story. It means a lot to us to hear those things. I hope God lets you know how much your life still means to so many people beyond us. You are such a special little girl!
I’m not really sure how time seems to you in Heaven. To you it may seem like you just left us but it feels like forever since I was last able to hold you. We all are so anxious to see you, hold you, hug you, and play with you again. Do you celebrate your earthly birthdays in Heaven? We didn’t have a cake here today (we’ve had a lot of cake lately) so we let your brothers have a special “Hannah birthday Fanta” instead. They were pretty excited about it. I promise that we will continue to celebrate your birthday in one way or another here until we are with you again.
Before dinner we, along with most of our Tenwek family, went down to the river and had a special time of singing and talking about you. I hope you were able to watch it. Do you remember our time there before you got so sick? Mommy and daddy wanted to go there because it was such a special time with you. You loved putting your feet in the cold water of the river. We are so thankful that we had that time together before you went home.
After we sang and talked about your life, we had a time of prayer and then everyone threw pink roses into the river. One of the other missionary kids even wanted to give you a happy birthday balloon so that was sent down the river as well. You are still very loved by so many people, even some you never met!
On January 22, 2012 you made mommy and daddy so very happy! You wouldn’t even believe how different our family is because you are a part of it. We are missing a lot of the pink and girly things that you brought into our lives. They boys are now mostly back to superheroes, cars, and all things boy. I’m sure if you were still here that would be much different though. Do you remember the tea parties you had with Levi and your special doll baby we gave you for Christmas?
I can’t help but wonder what you would look like now and what you would enjoy doing. Would you run around and keep up with your brothers or would you still like being pampered and dressing up? I think it would be a little of both. How I wish that I could know and experience it. I think someday God will allow us to make up for the time we have been apart…He’s awesome like that…but I guess you already know that.
We love you and miss you Hannah. We have loved you ever since you came into our lives and we always will. You will always be daddy’s little princess! I love you sweetie!!
Love,
Daddy
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12 Comments
Cindi
Jan, 22, 2015❤️
Mom
Jan, 22, 2015Wish I could have been at the river with you today.
Allan T. Sawyer, MD
Jan, 22, 2015My eyes sprung leaks reading this. Thank you for sharing your lives and your baby girl with us.
Miriam Wert
Jan, 23, 2015What a special, loving family you are! So glad you remember Hannah’s birthday. One thing sure, your boys will never forget their precious little sister who will always be a sweet little girl in their memory. Blessings to you as parents with still-hurting hearts. Just know that many of us love you even though we have never met you. I know and love your mothers and realize that is one reason you both are special.
Marianne Dogmanits
Jan, 23, 2015“You are still very loved by so many people, even some you never met!” I think that should actually say something like…..”Tons of people you never met!” If I remember correctly she touched people all over the world!! Imagine ….all OVER THE ENTIRE WORLD!!! Not many of us can make that claim!
Hugs,
Happy Birthday Sweet Baby
Marianne
Sharon Martin
Jan, 23, 2015Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us. What a wonderful way to celebrate her life. We still remember attending the beautiful celebration of Hannah’s life there is PA and seeing her for the first time. She looked like a little angel. Her little life has ministered to more people than any of us will probably ever know. Thank you for allowing Jesus to live through you and holding onto HIs hand through all the hard places. We love and appreciate you and your family. May God continue to keep your hearts encouraged.
Aaron Kelley
Jan, 23, 2015Thank you Sharon. We really appreciated you guys coming to show your support to us. We were/are blessed to know her. It is amazing how God has used her short earthly life!
Barb
Jan, 23, 2015Dear Aaron and Steph
Can never express the depth that Hannah had here on earth and the continuation even after her passing. I remember sitting with Mom and watching Hannah’s funeral and Mom’s questions, oh the questions….. Have often thought she finally came to a conclusion with Doug’s passing knowing that he was there to hug Hannah. Maybe we can connect when you are in the states as it was an amazing (difficult) time with Mom @ her death but amazing……….Love you all !!!!!!!!! Barb
Aaron Kelley
Jan, 23, 2015Will definitely have to connect. We are starting to make some plans. First I need to secure a job and then we can start to finalize our travels. 🙂
Adrian Blackwell
Jan, 23, 2015Whoa. Thanks for sharing bro. I love reading your blogposts. Did I read above that your coming back stateside? Wish you all the best.
Aaron Kelley
Jan, 23, 2015Yup Adrian. Our two year term is up next week. We will be extending for an additional five months or so…plan to leave in June. We are hoping to return in about a year or so. Now I’m in the process of job finding, etc so we can start planning our speaking engagements and other activities. Maybe we can meet up at some point.
Lyn Simms
Jan, 25, 2015Keeping you all in my heart and prayers. Praying especially for His solace for you all, knowing that He has your little Hannah lovingly in His arms. She is playing and praying with Him now, and you will all one day join both her play and her prayers. What a joy to which you can look forward! Until then, may His peace flood your hearts with that special joy that can be felt even in the midst of pain and sorrow.