How Do You Cope?

Saturday morning found me up early, ready to get some work done. What it didn't find me was expectant of receiving a devastating phone call from my mom.

She called with news of the death of our beautiful 2.5 y/o niece. She was healthy (except for some sniffles) and was running around when they put her to bed. My sister found her hours later.

The devastation is so complete--we were shocked, horrified, and hysterical all at the same time. How in the world do you adjust? How do you cope?

Emily was vibrant, vocal, and active. Her place in our family was set--the strawberry blonde with the impish smile, trying to keep up with her big brothers and being a mother-hen to her little sister. She is deeply missed and the hole she left will never be filled.

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The arrangements include visitation on Wednesday and a funeral on Thursday. We are currently in Indiana with family, and I will do flowers for family. We covet your prayers as we say our final goodbye and grieve our loss. For local readers, Max Vanderpool has information regarding our plans with the instructions to disseminate freely.