Thanks to all for the incredible outpouring of love and support to our family the last eleven days.
The celebration service for Hannah was all that we hoped it would be; from the slide show showing pictures of her wonderful life (now attached to this web site), to the service itself, the Dikeman Engine & Hose Company honor guard, and launching of balloons towards heaven holding messages to Hannah. And let’s not forget that wonderful spread of food. We have heard over and over “ Those Lutherans really know how to do a meal!”
Gathering with balloons of love and messages.
Ballon launch.
Hannah’s friends came over to our house on Tuesday. They spent the evening assembling 6 wonderful collages of pictures spanning 15-1/2 years. They are beautiful, the collages were really nice also.
The Dikeman’s Engine & Hose company presented a Flag at the visitation on Thursday evening. They also traveled to Monroe and provided an honor guard for Hannah. Hannah was an honorary member of the Dikeman’s.
During the service, we had an opportunity to say some family reflections - a chance for us to tell all in attendance about Hannah. Though we are unable to post Colin’s words, spoken directly from his heart, or Nathan’s, spoken in his heart, we are able to post the words Austin, who is 12 years old spoke, and those Bill spoke on behalf of both of us.
Austin’s Words
Hannah Rebecca Crossley was the best sister a 12 year old child could ever have. She was the strongest person I ever met and my greatest inspiration.
As I sat at the end of the bed rubbing her feet, I remembered all the wonderful things she gave to me in my life. She was a beautiful soul who fought with cancer for 5 years. No matter how annoyed I got with Hannah, I know she will never be replaced in my heart. At exactly 2:48 on April 19, She escaped our grip and went into the kingdom of heaven. No matter how sad we feel, we all know that Hannah is in a cancer free Heaven enjoying every part of it. What really was wonderful is when I spoke to her and she opened her eyes. Seeing my beloved sister in a funeral home was so intense. No Matter how unreal it is for me, God has Hannah's hand in Heaven. Bless your soul Hannah, and thank you for coming.
Mom & Dad's words about Hannah at the funeral.
Thank you for coming to Celebrate Hannah with us.
This week we spent a lot of time contemplating what would be said about our princess. The topics and thoughts came amazingly easy. How to put them together was the challenge on our minds. The more we poured over ideas, the more we fell back to a couple of sentences that we wrote to post on her WEB site.
"Another turn in the road, another battle in the war and as always, Hannah has "just been Hannah". Thoughtful of others, kind to all, looking to the future and spending the day."
The words almost speak for themselves.
"Hannah has just been Hannah"
You, our extended family, witnessed many of the journeys that Hannah experienced these past 5-1/2 years. Some of great joy. Some of great pain. The spectrum was certainly full. Through high & low, thick & thin, easy & hard and bright & dark, Hannah accepted all. She absorbed what came her way. Her gift has been the ability to channel it all and allow the light she generated to be seen in her smile.
"Thoughtful of Others"
Hannah was first in many hearts, but seldom did she place herself first above others. Even during some of her toughest battles, and she had some extreme ones, it was not uncharacteristic for Hannah to ask and show great concern about the welfare of others. Her friends, her brothers, Becky and I and even the cat & dogs.
Only recently did we find that she was withholding many concerns and fears of her illness, causing her sleepless nights. She did this so as to prevent mom and I from worrying to much. We are awed.
"Kind to all"
It has always amazed us of the friends that Hannah has. Not few - but many.
Wherever she was, what ever she did, she opened herself to others and they to her. We don't totally understand the dynamics at play other than honesty and kindness being important building blocks to those relationships.
"Looking to the Future"
Hannah had her eye to the future. She wanted to be an onocology nurse. Just like many of our dear friends here today. She wanted to use her experiences to help and bring comfort to those who were traveling similar journeys. Hannah was planning on going to camp. She was talking plans about the upcoming relay for life event. She was planning for a garden with flowers and vegetables. And yes, she continued, up to very recently, doing her homework so she can keep up at school. This looking to the future was a reflection of her positive nature and the desire not to let little things like cancer get in the way of her life's goals.
"Spending the Day"
If you were to speak with Hannah over the phone, not seeing the shadows under her eyes form treatments, the numerous scares from surgery, the thinning loss of hair, you would hear the voice of a young lady who possesses a positive and wholesome happiness of youth. The many obstacles of her illness seldom overshadowed her being and her enjoyment of the day.
Those sentences sure do sum up a lot but are only a small part of who she is.
I want to thank you for coming to celebrate Hannah.
We have a daughter, a person who binds us. She is above us, beside us and most importantly inside us. Though she has left this physical path, our lives and actions will carry on, permanently enhanced by the gift of her being that she set upon us.
We celebrate today, tomorrow and forever, she who is our daughter.