Hannah’s Journey

Last night was a very special evening. Many of Hannah’s friends were inducted into the National Honor Society. We are very proud of all their accomplishments and were happy to see them receive this honor. Last night was special for us in another way. The ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Hannah, who would have also been inducted into NHS this year, her junior year in high school. After the new class was formally presented, Mrs. Moran, the advisor, gave such a beautiful tribute to Hannah and then called Bill, Austin and I up to receive Hannah’s membership card and pin. It’s hard to put into words what an incredible honor this was for us. Maybe in the next posting, I will share Mrs. Moran’s words. The Honor Society has also decided to donate all the proceeds from their fundraiser in December to Austin’s fundraising campaign, which he has now named Journey of Hope.

Speaking of Journey of Hope, Austin’s fundraiser at the Burger King in Goshen was a great success. Not only was it successful, but it was a very fun evening. Thanks to all who came out in support. One of Hannah’s nurses even made the trip out from the Bronx for a whopper. Austin plans to sell buttons with Hannah’s picture and Journey of Hope written on it in the very near future for his next fundraising venture.

Austin and I are headed to Chicago tomorrow for a long weekend to visit my family. Both Nathan and Colin are heading home for a few days and I will get to see each one briefly. Austin turned 13 last week, so this is part of his celebration of finally entering those teenage years. Starting about the age of 8, Austin began announcing that he was a preteen. This of course, infuriated Hannah, who was a preteen at the time, and informed him that it just wasn’t possible. He would answer back that technically, he was a preteen as soon as he was born. Can I tell you, the battles over this! We would tell Hannah that if she didn’t respond to him, he would stop, but she just could never let it go. She felt that if she had to wait until 12 for the honor, so did he. I really miss those battles, but it makes us laugh when we remember.

We are all doing okay, though the tears still come frequently and often when least expected. I’m sure the next months with all the holidays will be difficult, but all the memories will be there in our hearts, so she will be too.