To my Skylar,

My sweet Sky, it’s been another one of those days. Today I have been haunted by the men who came to our door on the morning you died…….I can’t get the things they said to me out of my head. I can’t quit thinking about how I felt when I saw them and knowing it was going to be awful news, or when they asked to see a picture of you. I can’t erase the memory of how my body felt at the realization that you were gone……it’s such an indescribable feeling. It was of course sadness, gut wrenching pain and denial but there is also another feeling there that I can’t quite describe, an earth shattering feeling that when I think back, I don’t know how that feeling alone didn’t kill me.

I feel the anger inside of me and it isn’t for anyone in particular and perhaps that is worse, as I don’t know where to direct these feelings. I keep telling myself over and over and over and over again that you are safe and happy and forever in the presence of Jesus…..and for moments at a time I am at peace and I smile at those thoughts…..and then they fade.  Reality sets in and the human in me can not forget all the plans you had, the dreams, the friends and your entire life ahead of you.  With each day that passes I see others moving further and further away from the memory and impact of this tragedy, while all of us (and Soph and Juls families) are stuck in neutral and at times even reverse.

Ashton helped me wrap presents last night and the entire time I had a knot in my stomach knowing that there would be no gifts for you this year, having the name tags out and not writing “Sky” on any tags was making me physically sick.

Sky, I’m done trying to make sense of all of this, because I know that I never will; what I want is to know how to breathe again.  How do I get up each morning and lay my head down each night knowing that in this lifetime I can never touch you, hold you, kiss you, laugh with you, argue with you, talk with you, make plans with you…..ever again? How does a mother go on?  I feel so alone Sky, how do I deal with a pain that I can’t even describe?

We are all aching so much for you, how is Lexy suppose to travel through this life without her big sister?  She needs you Sky, please stay close to her always and let her feel and know your presence.

I  held your clothes tonight from the day you died….holding them and touching them help me feel close to you, just knowing it is the last outfit you picked out and the last one you wore somehow brings me momentary comfort. I know you’re gone and I know you’re in eternity but there is a part of me that is failing to accept this reality, the enormity of this is too much for my brain to comprehend. I suppose it’s a coping mechanism meant to keep me sane.

A million memories have come rushing in today, from the moment I first held you in my arms to literally the last time I did. I wish I had hugged you longer before you went out on Saturday November 3rd…..I wished I’d held onto you and never let you go.

Christmas is just 10 days away and to say that it is going to be hard, is the understatement of the year. Each day without you is virtually unbearable and to celebrate a holiday that is centered around family without you present is going to simply be hell on earth.  I beg of Jesus that he let us all feel your presence and warmth around us.

I miss everything about you Sky and I’m fighting so hard to keep my chin up and my head high. I thought I had faith before but WOW I’m learning every single day just what faith truly is!

Telling you “I love you” and ” I miss you”  doesn’t even seem powerful enough. I need words that don’t even exist in order to describe the love that I have for you and the feelings of loss that I am experiencing.

I pray that I dream of you tonight.  I love you more my sweet baby…….xoxo

7 thoughts on “To my Skylar,

  1. I am a mother of a 16 year old daughter and I have been reading you blog and every single one of them touch my heart even though I don’t know you or your daughter you have opened my eyes in many ways and I’m so thankful for this I cry everytime I read your blog’s I can’t even imagine what you go through every single day I juat pray that eventually your days become easier from one mother to another you and your family are in my prays

  2. Kelli-
    I only knew you as a young person at the West Milton Church of the Nazarene. I was Sheri Sowry at that time.

    I live in Florida and have been following Skylars accident since the night it happened. I have facebooked your mom a few times and grieved your loss.

    The blog you have created is a beautiful tribute. Your raw emotion is so true and heartfelt. There are no words to say to you or even verses to make it better. My parents have buried 2 children. I remember a time when we thought we would never be able to laugh again. But, you will. Continue you on, keep strong for the 3 children you have. This too shall pass….never forgotten….forever changed….but, you will go on, you must go on.

    Love and prayers from all over are being sent up for you daily may Gods arms hold you tight…and may you dream of Skylark tonight.

    Thoughts and prayers
    SHERI

  3. Kelli, I can not tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your beautiful daughter and the loss of Sophie and Julianna! I just wanted to let you know that I had the pleasure of spending two nights with your daughter at Camp Kern! I was there cabin chaperone. She was the kindest, sweetest young lady. We had so much fun on those two nights! Our cabin stayed up later than we were suppost to. we laughed and shared stories for a good part of the night.Your daughter made me the sweetest card just a few days after the girls returned to school! She put so much time and thought into making that card for me. I was so moved by that card Skyler made me! It was so beautiful. I was so touched by her thoughtfullness! That card sits on my dresser and I look at it almost everyday and think of your daughter! I wish there were words to tell you how sorry I am! You and your family are in my everyday thoughts and prayers!

  4. Thinking of you and your family as you go through your “firsts.” Every special day will have times of happiness and sadness for the one that is missing. Just know she is there with you. You always talk about feeling her. You will when you least expect it. The first time it happens it will take your breath away and make you feel peace all at the same time. Keep your Faith. It will get you through it all!

  5. Kelli, thinking of you and Skylar every day:) I wish there was a way to help ease your pain…I hope the holidays despite being so hard to get through are filled with cherished memories from Christmas’s past when your beatiful angel was still on Earth:) I have no doubts she will be watching over all of you from heaven and will wrap her love around all of you:)

  6. Kelli…one moment at a time is all you can do right now and that is ok. As the years go by there will be larger spaces between the pain for you and your family. My sister and I continue to pray for you.
    Nancy

  7. Kelli I know this blog helps you with your feelings and I cry for you and Skylar every time I read your blogs. Have you tried a support group of other parents that lost a child? I have a friend that her child was murdered. She says it gets easier but still have very rough days and it has been 3 years. Just a idea I thought might help. I wish I could do something to ease your pain. You and Skylar and your family are forever in my thoughts and prayers.

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