Elle's Above Us

Just a few weeks before her death, Elle drew this picture of herself above the rest of our family. She labeled herself, and Cam labeled the rest under her direction. Hmmmmm.


One night I was crying too hard to not be overheard, so I crept down into the unfinished basement and sat in our papasan chair. After a little while, I looked to my right and saw this wooden beam—it was covered in Elle's signature. Most of the time she drew her E's with multiple lines (to make her point :). I had never noticed those basement drawings before. I like to think it was her way of telling me she's nearby.

I love that girl so much.

On the other side of the beam, Cam had drawn a smiley face. It seemed to say, "Be happy!"

Cam is a pretty wise kid, so I decided to take his advice, and then headed upstairs to bed to escape into sleep.

Sometimes Elle comes to play with me in my dreams. We are always so happy to see each other. I crouch down to her level and hug her tight for a long time. Then we giggle and play. One time, after we had played for awhile, she told me she had to go home. I knew she meant Heaven.
I waved good-bye, knowing I'd see her again soon.