It has been a birthday week and on Sunday we had the enormous honor of attending the 3rd birthday celebration for Miss Zoey Grace. Zoey is a gorgeous little miracle who continues to inspire me with all the odds she continues to beat, the accomplishments she continues to reach, and because she is just such pure joy. And her parents and sisters and brothers are the most awesome family ever! We were so thrilled it didn't rain so we could be part of the wonderful celebration of Zoey's life; a very poignant celebration because Zoey battled Leukemia last year.
Zoey's mom, Heather, was one of my first “blog friends.” After being forwarded our petition from a friend, she stumbled on our blog, reached out with a kind comment, and I am so grateful for our friendship. Heather is an amazing mom who has been through the ringer with Zoey's many medical issues over the last few years and, yet, Heather has an infectious positive spirit. Even while entrenched in her own busy doings, scares, and worries, she has been encouraging, caring, and supportive of us. I am a better person for getting outside of my life and following the journey of this beautiful family.
Miss Zoey was darling in her butterfly wings and Gwendolyn had such a nice time — she even managed to share the birthday song with Zoey — only crying at the end. We had the added honor of getting to meet several other wonderful families that I only know through the blogging world and their darling children (Ella, Reid, and Jaxson) are even more adorable in person!
And while we were celebrating Zoey's special day, March 7th also marks the date that our dear, dear SMA friend, Owen, should have been celebrating his special birthday, too. It should have been his second birthday. And so we thought of him and his incredible family, too.