Sunday, March 18, 2012

Remembering Annie on March 25th

I got a card in the mail a couple of days ago from my niece, Lorraine, reminding me that she remembers what's coming up next Sunday: Annie's first birthday in heaven. Hmm, first birthday in heaven sounds so much nicer than the first anniversary of her death. I'll stick with that one.

As I've been thinking about what our family should do that day, I came up with 8 ways to honor Annie's memory. Then I had another idea: if you knew Annie and felt inclined, you can do one of these things, too!

1. Wear something pink.
2. Plant something pink.
3. Buy a pink balloon, write a message to Annie and let it go up to heaven where she can read it.
4. Make pink cupcakes.
5. Buy Heaven, God's Promise for Me, and donate it to the kid's ministry of your church.
6. Donate any Dr. Seuss book, or Brown Bear, Brown Bear to your local elementary school.
7. For you big spenders, donate an IPad to your local school's special ed program. Nonverbal kids like Annie need easy ways to communicate, and IPads make this happen.
8. Hug your kids and thank God every day you get to enjoy them this side of heaven.

And for those of you who have lost loved ones, post a comment about how you honor their memory on anniversary days. Then maybe we'll snag your idea, too.

Jean

15 comments:

Gretchen said...

I likey "birthdays in heaven." Been thinking about how to celebrate Annie. Hugs to all.

Gretchen said...

Oh, LOVE the new profile pic!

pam said...

I'm in! Love the picture of Annie - it's so HER - that little grin, the twinkly eyes and , of course, the Pink Princess theme!

Marilyn said...

What good ideas! I kept Annie's picture on my desktop for this first year to remind to pray for all the Sullivans. It's almost time to change it, and I will, but I'll actually miss seeing her every day (as I know you do).

God Bless the Sullivans REAL GOOD!

Gerry Anne said...

Thank you for sharing Jean. Happy 1st year birthday in heaven Annie. Praise God for you and your family! In your honor we are wearing pink and sending a pink balloon to you in heaven.Love, The Coronacions.

Jean said...

Thanks, Gretchen, for putting together that fun little facebook party. ;-)

Yes, Pam--that is one of my favorite pictures of her--we took it on her 3rd birthday.

Thanks, Marilyn, and to you and your family, Gerry Anne!

aunt rebecca said...

Maybe I'll dress Larry in pink...since it's his birthday, too '-)

Jean said...

A pink tie would look nice on Larry. ;-)

Marilyn said...

Maybe you can skip the picture of Larry in pink, Rebecca~

Just sayin'

;)

Anna said...

I don't know Annie, but I recently found your story. I am a 13 year old with Addison's Disease and will be making pink cupcakes, letting a balloon go, and wearing pink for your beautiful daughter.

Jean said...

Thank you so much, Anna! There are also some people who are taking the pink cupcakes to their local fire station as a way of telling them about adrenal insufficiency. If your fire station EMT's haven't met you yet, maybe you could take some cupcakes to them and tell them about Addison's and how it affects you. That would be a good thing for them to know.

Anna, you sound like a very mature 13 year old--thank you for participating in honoring Annie's life!

Gretchen said...

Anna, you rock!!!

Luke's Mom said...

Praying for you today.

Anonymous said...

Aunt Jean, Uncle Bill, and all my cousins, I'm thinking about you all and Annie today. (and I made a pink hat for a friend today =)
Hugs, k

Anonymous said...

I've got some pink tulips ready to go in the ground to celebrate Annie, this year & each year when they come up again! I also know a "pink princess" at church who will be getting an extra hug this Sunday in Annie's honor! Love, Janice