We have so many sad and mournful feelings as we mark this point. Those feelings are tempered by our beautiful memories. As we looked through a slideshow of photos this morning, I was reminded again of all the ways Hans was connected and supported and lifted up during his journey. He had a beautiful network in his friends and family and we are eternally grateful to you for that. I was moved to remember that he readily returned love unconditionally and was a devoted friend and family member. His faith in love and friendship never wavered.
Even though we are two years from losing him, I feel that we are not getting farther from our Hans, but that we are always moving towards him.
I think I failed to post that we all got memorial tattoos this New Years eve. It was a first for all of us - me, Kevin, Elle, Grandma Kathy and Grandma Stephanie!
I'm finally posting some pictures tonight. Elle designed our tattoos, and our friends Melody and Ben provided the ink. Kevin and Elle and my tattoos are the same - a bird with two feathers, falling to represent what has been left behind. The grandmas also had feather incorporated into their design. They art was done up at Third Eye Tattoo in Kevin's hometown of Ellensburg, Washington.
My Aunt Pati sent us a card to mark the two years. It was a silk screen of a feather with the following text:
"A feather has many different symbolisms. The Native Americas use feathers to ward off evil. A found feather is a sign of encouragement or a reminder to be lighthearted. It can also be a source of communication, or a message from someone now gone from our lives. The message conveys that all is well...don't be sad. Feathers are as old as the beginning of time. They are intricate, delicate and tell a story. Keep one always nearby."
We have ours so nearby, that our right wrists can simply be lifted to our hearts.
