Post by Admin on Aug 26, 2015 15:47:46 GMT 8
Heather McManamy has been fighting breast cancer since 2013. Her disease is terminal, but Heather is determined to be a part of her daughter’s life, even after she’s gone.
Earlier this year, Heather began thinking of ways to help her family deal with her passing.
"It was beyond heartbreaking to know that my daughter and husband would be sad when I passed and there was nothing I could do to comfort them."
But how could she give her daughter the love and support she knew she’d need, without actually being there?
Heather had a brilliant idea: She’d create a memory box for her daughter, containing cards for all of Brianna’s future milestones.
Understandably, the project was incredibly difficult to start, but Heather said it became almost therapeutic:
"It gives me a feeling of control over something that none of us have control over."
So far, Heather has created over 40 cards, videos, letters, recordable books, and a box of trinkets for Brianna.
The letters contain messages for every occasion in Brianna’s life that a mother would celebrate: Birthdays, her engagement, her wedding, her first baby, labor and delivery advice, when she gets her driver’s license, her anniversary, and Mother’s Day.
But they’re not just limited to big life events. Heather also wrote her cards with everyday messages like encouragement for a tough day, a get well card, a card for the loss of a pet, a “way to kick butt” card, a “here’s a hug” card, a card to celebrate Brianna’s first beer, one for her first breakup, and cards that tell Brianna she is beautiful, to be herself, and that her mother is proud of her.
And while some people would be angry that they’d be missing out on their child’s life, Heather is taking the time she has left in stride —
Most people just die and that’s it. I have been given the gift of time to prepare. To do whatever I can to make this easier on my family. Everyone mourns differently. But, if there is some way that I can provide comfort, I want it to be there. That brings me comfort and peace of mind beyond words.
Heather was inspired to share her story in the hopes that other parents will try to live in the moment, too:
Most people my age are naive to the unfairness of the world and how fragile life is. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.
We can only hope that Heather and her family have a wonderful life together, however long that may be.
Earlier this year, Heather began thinking of ways to help her family deal with her passing.
"It was beyond heartbreaking to know that my daughter and husband would be sad when I passed and there was nothing I could do to comfort them."
But how could she give her daughter the love and support she knew she’d need, without actually being there?
Heather had a brilliant idea: She’d create a memory box for her daughter, containing cards for all of Brianna’s future milestones.
Understandably, the project was incredibly difficult to start, but Heather said it became almost therapeutic:
"It gives me a feeling of control over something that none of us have control over."
So far, Heather has created over 40 cards, videos, letters, recordable books, and a box of trinkets for Brianna.
The letters contain messages for every occasion in Brianna’s life that a mother would celebrate: Birthdays, her engagement, her wedding, her first baby, labor and delivery advice, when she gets her driver’s license, her anniversary, and Mother’s Day.
But they’re not just limited to big life events. Heather also wrote her cards with everyday messages like encouragement for a tough day, a get well card, a card for the loss of a pet, a “way to kick butt” card, a “here’s a hug” card, a card to celebrate Brianna’s first beer, one for her first breakup, and cards that tell Brianna she is beautiful, to be herself, and that her mother is proud of her.
And while some people would be angry that they’d be missing out on their child’s life, Heather is taking the time she has left in stride —
Most people just die and that’s it. I have been given the gift of time to prepare. To do whatever I can to make this easier on my family. Everyone mourns differently. But, if there is some way that I can provide comfort, I want it to be there. That brings me comfort and peace of mind beyond words.
Heather was inspired to share her story in the hopes that other parents will try to live in the moment, too:
Most people my age are naive to the unfairness of the world and how fragile life is. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.
We can only hope that Heather and her family have a wonderful life together, however long that may be.
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