Thursday, December 2, 2010

30 Days of Thanks—Day #8

I am grateful for little signs, wherever they might be from.

Last night, on Hudson’s birthday, after the hardest parts of the day were over, I was just suddenly inspired to go ahead and get out some Christmas decorations. Sitting on the top of the pile in the second box I opened, I found a framed picture that my dad had given us last Christmas after Hudson’s first (and only) visit to see Santa Claus. She was less than thrilled with the experience and in their zeal to get Hudson to smile, the mall photographers handed her a toy to hold. I had totally forgotten about this altogether until I pulled the picture out of that box.

Look at the toy in her hand.


Little signs.  Grateful.

32 comments:

  1. LOL my goodness! That is quite something!

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  2. I love it! That is really special.

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  3. That is fantastic. I had been meaning to tell you how much I liked the Penguin nickname.

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  4. That just gave me chills, how sweet...

    J.F/Singapore

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  5. Chills....

    This is amazing Mandy! All day yesterday I prayed that Hudson would give you some sort of sign that would bring you some peace...what an amazing sign this is!

    Love it.

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  6. Unbelievable. A sign for sure.

    The Penguin will surely treasure this, too.

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  7. Just amazing...truely! Renee P.

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  8. Wow, this actually made me gasp out loud! How about that!?! That's really something special, Mandy... I hope it brought a big smile to your face ~ and to your heart. :)

    ~Jillian

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  9. This just brought the biggest smile to my face :) Sometimes the world works in such mysterious ways!

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  10. Wow! That gave me chills....definitely a sign from Hudson. I'm glad you made it through the day. Hudson is definitely watching over you and the Penguin, as she always will be.

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  11. That is amazing!!!

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  12. I have always believed that life isn't just a straight line between birth and death-- it's a web that holds the "living" years as just one strand of a whole. Hudson is showing you that she is still with you-- I'm so thankful for this small sign on the hardest of days.

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  13. Yesterday I cried - more then once. Today I smiled!

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  14. WOW! That is unbelievable! Truly a sign from your girl.
    XOXOXOXO
    Claire

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  15. There is such a bond between moms and their children - this beautiful photo must have given you such peace! Last week at 12:50pm Wed, my dd began to crash after surgery. I arrived home to find a voice mail from her - 'Mom, you can come and get me now' - dd's cell phone # @ 12:50. Later that night, she and her husband tell me no way - her phone was in his pocket and he had run to get help as she began to crash....@ 12:50. Mothers and their children -- the bond is always there....nothing will break it. (((hugs))) Mariann

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  16. OOPS - forgot to add - when they did check my daughter's phone, my home phone number was in her outgoing calls at 12:50pm. Mariann

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  17. the turtle composes an ode for the penguin...as big sister this will always be her way..touching her younger sibling...doubt does not exist in this...we may trust in dust..as my mother still speaks with me..through and with care we cannot help but to embrace...as we talk of being still amidst the race..we do fall back into chairs as she speaks i sit still and listen...she speaks...as we may die today..it is a plea that we stay close..that what we are..thus were...will always be.. a comfort to those whose love remains in the cause of life..each face ours to press between the heavy leaves of this great book where we all live to look back.... to better love... standing under the great pursuit of our understanding...damn it..ohh yes..perhaps just to hold life closer when great fortune allows the chance...in the missing and the minding it Must be joy we are finding..for we are the only ones who can do this...

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  18. Looks like you found your Christmas card!

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  19. i just wonder in text where tf how tf did jimmy become my name on your blog...as i have for years become distant from a phantom as my fathers name is Jackson..i do not comprehend..i am surprised..may you know this emotional residue was sent and said by jason hitchcock son of jackson gibbs

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  20. Hi Mandy,
    I read your thoughts almost everyday..... always think of you, Ed and Hudson..... but rarely write a comment. But today, this picture of Hudson just took my breath away and brought me to tears.
    She's holding him, she's protecting him, and she so close to you. I believe you are the mother of a very very special angel. I hope Hudson's picture gave you a sign of peace to help carry you through this Christmas season.
    Blessings,
    Linda Miller (Ashley's mom)
    p.s. Could be a "her" but I think he's a "he".

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  21. Oh wow, how cool!!

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  22. Amazingly beautiful.

    Lisa S.

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  23. That's incredible! Simply marvelous. And a wonderful little sign that gave me chills and made me smile for Hudson, your penguin, and your family.

    Lauren V.

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  24. LOVE this! :) Made my heart smile!

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  25. You question where Hudson is..I tell you she is at the right hand of God a precious Angel. She is holding her sibling (maybe a brother) in her hand and she will always be by his/her side..Hudson was here for a reason and her work is not done..she continues to touch everyone everyday..

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