Monday, September 8, 2008

A Conversation with Sabrina

I don't have many photos of Sabrina holding Camille, but it was a daily occurrence around our house. Sabrina loved to tote Camille around on her hip like a little Mama. I think that is what Sabrina misses most is holding her baby sister. 

This morning I was having some alone time with Sabrina. I asked her if she ever felt mad that Camille isn't with us here anymore. 

"Mad?" she asked. "No. Not mad. But I do miss her." Then she began to tell me about a show she watched that reminded her of Camille. "I was watching Franklin the other day," she said. "And in it Harriett had a blue blanket that Franklin had given to her. It was to make her feel better when she was sad or hurt. Well in the show, Harriett and a little boy named Kit got hurt at the playground and Harriett got a Bandaid for her scrape. Then she went to visit Kit and make sure he was okay. He had sprained his ankle. Harriett gave Kit her special blanket to help him feel better while his ankle hurt. Then when Kit felt better he gave the blanket back to Harriett.

"It reminded me of two things about Camille. First, it reminded me of the magic blanket that someone gave us to feel better when we miss Camille. Also, it made me think that Harriett is like Jesus and Kit is like Camille and the blanket was like her life. Jesus gave life to Camille and when she didn't need it anymore she gave it back," Sabrina concluded. "I thought of those things and then I just couldn't help but cry," she finished.

What insight for a sweet seven year old girl to have. I just had to record her deep thoughts for my own record of this time in our lives. Thanks again for the magic blanket, Wallaces. And thank you forever for Camille's life, Jesus.


36 comments:

heather {WhipperBerry} said...

I am new to reading your blog (I am a friend of Jason and Autumn Vanderhoeven) and I was so moved by this post. Thanks so much for sharing it.

Anonymous said...

I think that this is why in the scriptures we are told to be like little children. Thankyou for sharing Sabrina with us.

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! what insight. I am amazed by the little things kids learn. Amazing. Thanks so much for sharing it.

Jennie said...

I am amazed at her insight. You are teaching her well. Thank you for sharing your daughters with us.

Mrs. Morty said...

Children often astound me with their insights. When my father passed away my then four year old came into the room after his body had been taken away and asked "where is Papa?" When he was told that papa died he simply said, "oh, he went to live with Heavenly Father." and was satisfied.

Anonymous said...

Oh, that last sentence just made me tear up. Yes, thank you.

Darleen said...

So sweet! She has such an amazing insight. Give her a big fatty kiss for me!

*tif* said...

I had to read over that a few times before I realized it was HER insight. I loved that you just listened until she was done...or so it appears. Camille has brought so many gifts to your family. It seems the faith of your daughters is one of the more prominant gifts. Its so inspiring to read about such an amazing faith. You have taken care of your seeds of faith so well. It is apparent that the sun has pressed it's heat down upon your little family (as the scripture says--well sort of) and you are being made stronger and growing so much rather than withering and wilting. It is obviously because of the great care you took to fertilize that soil and nourish that seed for each member of your family. You are a light set upon a hill that cannot be hid.

Umm...did I loose anyone? sorry. If so, just put me on the "cool post" list!

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your posts everyday. I really appreciated the post about what to do and say when someone close loses someone they love. Do you have any suggestions for visiting teachers. I am currently assigned to a women that just lost someone close to her and its hard knowing how much help, what to say, etc...do you have any suggestions or did your visiting teachers or relief society do anything for you that helped? Thanks!

me said...

I so sorry any one has to endure the pain of losing a child. i love you blog, when our justin died just 89 days after returning home from his lds mission on the usu van rollover. our little girl gracie heavenly father to just fix justin so would just beg he can come home. I get so sad about how everyones life just moves on. i don't want to have a family picture or go on vacation cuz it feels like a void and whole is there. i guess we know what a heart ache feels like.

Anonymous said...

How truly precious. Jesus is so clear in the minds of our little ones, the absolute truth really makes sense in their untroubled minds.

Mama, you are doing a wonderful job of giving your girls the gift of truth. It's the gift that will last a lifetime- and on into eternity.

Wow. Thank you Stephanie.

Julie
Sacramento

Shanan said...

This only shows that you're doing everything right Steph. You have taught your girls the importance of Jesus and how He has such a big part in Camille's time here on earth. Sabrina's thoughts are simply precious.

Chell said...

Thank you for sharing that with us. How beautiful and touching.

Amanda said...

You know you are an awesome example and amazing teacher when your 7 year old knows this. That is so moving and deep.

janalee said...

Wow- that's a wonderful analogy. I'm so glad she shared it with you, so you could share it with us.

A Farmer's Wife said...

I think you should write a book! This is such a well-written, emotion provoking blog! I am addicted to reading it!!! Your candor pulls at my heart! I pray for your family! Your seet Sabrina...what a special girl! Thank you for this post!

Melissa said...

How often we miss His whispers when He speaks through the words of our children. Great job on being there to listen.

And thank you for reminding me to go spend some alone time with my kids.

tharker said...

Such pure faith from a child is so beautiful and inspiring.

I agree that this is why the Lord wants us to become like little children.

Thank you for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

That is so sweet. What an insightful daughter you have there.

The Pea said...

Beautiful!

Sarah said...

What a special daughter you have there. She seems like an extraordinary child.

Jas & Cam Fam said...

Wow! What an amazing little girl.

Heather & Greg said...

WOW, I am so moved. I had chills run through my body as I read this. What an amazing little girl to truely understand that. You guys are doing such a wonderful job teaching her!

Cat said...

What an amazing story. I have been following your blog for sometime now and am so in awe of your strength. I lost a baby at 32 weeks gestation and it was so hard. I think of you often and will be back to check in!
Courtney

Marleen said...

Sabrina continually amazes me. How wonderful for her to pick out such a beautiful analogy. We are so blessed to have such sweet spirits around us!

Erin said...

What an intuitive, gifted and brilliant daughter you have. It's amazing how thin the veil is with children and how "simple" things can seem to them when adults can't even see those things.

Anonymous said...

My nephew and his wife lost their baby boy at 14 months to a disease called Biliary Atresia (?) several years ago. It broke my heart to see how they just kind of went on auto pilot for a while in their lives. They had a hard time talking about this sweet boy without feeling anger towards our Father in Heaven for this loss. After some time they passed they started tp slowly bring him up in converstaions and when I asked her about it she said she had a dream where she talked with her son. He told her that he chose the life he lived. He chose the trial, and to be angry at God meant she was also angry with him. She said he promised her that if they would forgive, they would be blessed. A year later they were blessed with twins. Anyway, her and I were talking about your blog, and she said she wishes she would have had your strength, and courage. She wishes she could have been the type of daughter of God that you are. She hopes she can become more like you, strong and immovable. Thank you Stephanie for making us all feel like we can survive when trials knock upon our door. I will forever be thankful to you for sharing this journey with us, and for letting us share in your sorrows. Love your Heavenly Sister.

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Ashley said...

I feel the Spirit almost every time I read your sweet stories. Thanks for making me have a good cry today :)

julie said...

It is so amazing what children feel and learn around them. The spirit can be so much closer to them. How sweet to have Sabrina around to give such insight. I can tell that she is a strength to you.

Karen said...

WOW, think of all the adults in this world who can't comprehend what Sabrina has already mastered. She gets it. Imagine the woman she will become....just like her mama!

Melissa-Mc said...

What amazing insight she has! She will always be close with Camille. I still feel very close to my little sister, and she passed away when I was 13.

Deb said...

You have taught your children so much. I am impressed by their faith.

LaRae said...

So glad you posted this - thank you for sharing the deep, thought-provoking, and beautiful thoughts of little Sabrina! Children can be so wise and yet so simple at the same time. I am amazed!

Presley family said...

What a sweet moment you two shared. Sabrina is such a special girl. Regan will say things about Collin and make me stop and think how very simple yet so true. The faith of a child is AMAZING!

Vonney said...

Wow! What beautiful words from your daughter! I cry everytime I read your blog!