Avleigh's Journey

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Mostly because… what do I even say?

We miss her every single day. We wonder who she would be today every single day. And although the day-to-day life gets easier with time, the reality that she is gone never does. Especially during this time of year.

Years ago, I started writing a book for her. After she passed, I came so close to finishing it. But deep down, I knew our story wasn’t over yet. So I kept pushing it aside, waiting for the right words to come to me.

Now, six years later, I feel guilt for not finishing it — for not putting her story out into the world. A story I am incredibly proud of. A story of pain, sacrifice, devotion, love, and faith.

Her story reached people we never even met in person. At one point, people didn’t know me as Kristy — they knew me as Avleigh’s mom. But now, in this “new” life we’ve learned to live, many people don’t even know who she was.

And that hurts.

I’ve realized I don’t want her story to quietly fade into history. So I am going to finish that book.

Her story deserves to be known. Her personality deserves to be remembered. Not only for other special needs parents. Not only for healing within our family. But for anyone struggling to understand that there is meaning in everything.

Everything has purpose.

That purpose can be embraced with gratitude, pride, love, and care… or it can be abandoned with bitterness and disappointment. The choice is ours.

And on this anniversary, I am choosing once again to share my pride.

I am proud of her.
I am proud of us.
And I am proud of the community that carried us through the moments we needed support the most.