Never forget....

"And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation." -Khalil Gibran

-This is a post about the events of our past week. I will post more about the babies soon, but this has been our world for the past week-

Family. One simple word that means so much. It saddens me everyday that my children will never know my father. He was a wonderful man and would have been so thrilled to have so many grandchildren to love. Unfortunately, now my children will never remember another very important person in our family- my husband's youngest brother, Timmy. We lost Timmy on October 12, 2011. He came to the hospital to meet the babies when they were in the NICU and I always envisioned him and Jack playing baseball together in a few years. I hear he was a phenomonal t-ball player as a child. I picture him playing with Marley and running around with her on his back the last time he came to visit. And I picture the fear and awe he had when he met the triplets for the first time, definitely too nervous to hold them and almost too scared to stand too close. Tim was a good guy, and we will all miss him every day until we meet again. You always hear, that when one door closes, another opens. I believe this is true. The death of Timmy brought people close again. Rifts that had divided are now forgotten. Mike's family spent the week with us and Marley and the babies got to see family members that they've never met. Their Uncle Chris, it was my first time meeting him as well and we had a great time talking and even playing a few pranks on the family. He bears such a striking resemblance to both Mike & Timmy, my friends and I nicknamed him Hybrid. Another uncle, Shane, who was asking to hold a baby any chance he got. We can't wait to meet his family one day soon. Their Great Grandmother, who is one feisty lady for being 90 years old! Her mind is still as sharp as a tac. Their cousin John Paul, who just battled thru some challenges himself and is a rock for everyone.I will always be grateful for the support he has given Mike thru this.  And their Grandpa Boucher who has such a gentle touch with the babies. He stayed with us for the week and we have some great memories that were made. Of course Marley, in typical fashion, gave him her own name, "Papa." Grandma Boucher was here also. Marley knows her well, as do the babies (as well as 5 month olds can) from her previous visit, but it was great to see her again. They also got to see their Aunt Debbie & Uncle Tony, but unfortunately they were only here for the funeral and then had to get back home. But, they did get to meet the babies and hold them. It's always so nice to see family and spend time with them, I just wish it was for a different reason. It's so hard to see people you love going thru such heartbreak, but everyone stood strong together and we all had some good times between the tears. We will never forget Timmy. Everyday we will miss him and wish things were different. But, we can't turn back the hands of time, and in moving forward, we just have to ensure that we will always honor his memory. We will tell the triplets all about him and make sure they know he loved them. We will tell Marley about the fun times they had together, even though as she grows up her memories will fade. We will always remember.

Uncle Tim & Jack

Timothy Boucher

Tim, Mike, Patty & the babies

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."