Gianna's Love, A Poem

With sincere gratitude to the unknown author of this beautiful poem dedicated to Gianna who anonymously sent us these beautiful words just days before her birthday. Today we remember Gianna with greater love, gratitude and peace as it was nine years ago today she entered our world. Happy Birthday & GBG. 🎀
Gianna’s Love, A Poem

I came to you on a winter’s day
Or maybe you, only you, came to me
To hold my hand, shower love in this life
Brief but enduring…that’s what I’ll always say

She’s pretty in pink, that’s what they all think
A gentle smile, she captivates us all the while
The hands of time seek to remind
Our time is finite, forever to unwind

The sun rises early just to see her face
The birds, the bees all take their place
“Greetings, sweet angel, who welcomes the morning glow
Could you look more precious, your pretty hair with its bow!”

Our rose has bloomed
And in her joy…constantly
We are consumed
But quickly we remember our sacrifice and our sorrow
To ask the Lord to borrow
A moment in time for one more tomorrow
With us she can’t remain, all part of God’s will to attain
Her last breath will always be our first breath
Of each sunrise and blessed mourn

And yet our rose of sunburst bright
Must fade and fade, defeated by night
Forever pretty in pink
To join the cherubs adorning heaven’s gate
But patiently we will wait and wait….and wait

Grandma’s love, balloons, and songs of joy
Surrounded by her brothers’ love…
And their silly toys
Remember me, oh please
Remember me
Forever and always as your precious
Little bubble bee
You’ll find me in my garden
Amongst Mom’s flowers I will play
Leave a wiffle ball, bat or glove
I need them near me, I need your love

Come out back, will you, and play?
And all the while along your way
Fight and argue
Laugh and run
And when you’re tired, the games all done
Know that your bubble bee truly
Was the one who had the most fun

And now the stars of night compel my flight
My wonder boys, to you I bid farewell…
A blessed goodnight
Sunrise, I trust, will welcome a new day
Look for me atop the prettiest rose
Come out back, will you, and play?
-Anonymous

Pink Bows and Birthday Balloons!

Today we are remembering Gianna with Love.
She came into our lives five years ago, and we still have her Love in our hearts.

Sister Alice

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia lost a loved one today, Sister Alice Strogen.
She was so sweet and so kind. She would come into Gianna's room, and her presence was a highlight and a fond memory we have of the care that was given at CHOP for Gianna.
We will miss her greatly and hope she enjoys the presence of many angels greeting her in heaven in today.

If you like to see her smile, and  how she blended right in with our family, please watch the video at the 1:00 min mark, from this blog entry:
 http://giannaslove.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-everything-returns-to-normal-yet.html

Cardinal Rigali and Sister Alice

Sending Kisses to Heaven

I think it's harder as time goes by, we miss our Gianna. We know she's an Angel looking over many people here. We also know she has met other Angels in Heaven since her passing. Our hearts go out to all the families who have lost a child, young or old. We send many warm thoughts to those families and know how hearts can heal.
We send many kisses to all the Angels in Heaven, because we miss you.

Feast of the Guardian Angel

Perhaps no aspect of Catholic piety is as comforting to parents as the belief that an angel protects their little ones from dangers real and imagined. Yet guardian angels are not just for children. Their role is to represent individuals before God, to watch over them always, to aid their prayer and to present their souls to God at death. 

I like to think its "the angels who are protecting their parents".

There is no doubt in my mind this is role of many Guardian Angels. Happy Feast Day to all those Angels who guard us on earth! 

Visiting the Vatican and there are always little angels in their pictures.

"when everything returns to normal.. yet, nothing is"

It is one year ago today Gianna was surrounded by Love in her hospital room. We sang songs to her, and we told her how much we love her. Most of all, we Thanked her for touching our lives. We knew we were holding an Angel on her last day on earth, and in return she let us know it. Gianna was not vocal, but she responded with her eyes (and some head rolls). Gi communicated a very special messsage as she let us hold her no matter the number of attached cords and tubes: To be held, is to love. Many of us called her "our" Gianna, because she made everyone feel like family when you held her.
It was such a beautiful moment when she connected with us on many occasions, much like the joy when having a child say his first word. She taught us how to communicate with her. I think sometimes she used the pulse oximeter that was connected to her toe. It would beep like a morse code. We would be in the other room talking, and the pulse oximeter would alert. She was telling us she didn't want to be alone, and wanted to hear our conversation. So we would stay in her room and talk. The pulse ox would not beep so often, and of course the noise would completely dissipate when you held her AND talked to her.

Her brothers would crawl into her crib and play with her. They were gentle, but they still are young boys who don't know the limits. Gianna let them know the limits with her, but mostly she loved their company and would put up with most of it just so they stayed with her. They adored her and loved her company. They knew how to play together. The youngest boy still draws pictures of these moments, a year later. Gi's other brother asked what type of candy do you think she's eating in heaven... a year later. They are so proud of their little sister as an angel in heaven, but miss her dearly everyday.

`
Her community and church recently came together to hold a benefit for her brothers' school in Gianna's name. It was a grand affair and a great tribute of the kindness & generosity of St Patrick's parishoners. Once again, they came together to raise funds for a new science lab for the school much like they came together to support Gianna when she was with us. Her parents are so grateful to be surrounded by such great friends and families, and in return hope the science lab will benefit all their children in learning more about the science of healing at St Patricks School.

Its a year later and the family is thriving on activities, school, sports, friends, parties, and still remaining to keep Gianna in their hearts and their home. So one would say its back to normal, yet nothing is.

Thanks for all your prayers, support, & love.

Memorial service today was held for Gianna at CHOP, her hospital

Today The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia had a memorial service for Gianna and all the Angels that entered Heaven this past year. It was a beautiful service and tribute to the children & families that were cared for at CHOP.