~* Carleigh Lauryn Grace *~

"I give thanks to God always for you..."
I Corinthians 1:4



"Fly"
Celine Dion

My sweet Carleigh Lauryn Grace was born on November 8, 1999.
She had Trisomy 18, which also caused her to have
Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Chiari Malformation,
and Bilateral Clubfeet.
In addition she also had four heart defects:
ASD, VSD, Pulmonary Stenosis, and Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

Carleigh was shunted for her Hydrocephalus on January 27, 2000.
She had to have a shunt revision on February 11, 2000.

Even with all of Carleigh's health problems
she was such a wonderful little girl.
She had learned how to smile
and she brightened every one of my days.

Carleigh gained her angel wings on April 8, 2000, at 5:35 a.m.
We had her memorial service and laid her to rest on April 11th.

These are the words I said to her at her Memorial:


My Dear, Sweet Carleigh Lauryn Grace,

Once upon a time a mommy had a dream in her heart. Her dream was to have a beautiful little girl that she could hold, care for, and most of all, love. That Mommy was me and on November 8, 1999, I gave birth to an angel. You.

Your Daddy and I knew from the very beginning that you would be a little girl. I was so sure of it, that I bought your fuzzy pink blanket before we had even had our ultrasound. I can't even begin to describe how ecstatic we were when the doctor told us you were, indeed, a girl!

We were heartbroken when the doctors told us you would be less than perfect. You would have Trisomy 18 - something that was "incompatible with life" and would cause numerous problems.

Well, they were wrong. You WERE perfect. I will always remember your beautiful blue eyes and long eyelashes. Those were the things I noticed most about you. You showed the world that it was possible for a little girl with Trisomy 18 to live and enjoy life to the fullest.

Carleigh, you have taught me so many things. You have taught me the importance of being thankful for every single day and have shown me what it's like to feel unconditional love. You were the best daughter a mommy could ever ask for.

I miss you so much already, and because of you, my life will never be the same. I miss your smile, the adorable way you would pucker your lips like you wanted a kiss, and your sweet baby smell. I miss holding you in my arms, sleeping with you, and giving you "snoogies".

I know that the last few hours were very hard for you. I made a few promises to you and I want you to know that I will keep my promises. I promise you will have your pink ballerina bedroom and I will finish your Precious Moments picture.

I promised you that I would let you fly just as soon as your brother got to see you one last time. Thank you for waiting for him. I have dreams of looking up into the sky and seeing you peeking from behind a cloud. You smile your sweet smile, giggle, and wave at me. Then you jump onto a cloud, slide down it, and fly off to be with your angel friends.

Carleigh, my first promise to you is about to come true. I'm sending you all my love forever. It's time to grab your fuzzy pink blanket, spread your tiny angel wings, and fly.


Carleigh's page was created on Tuesday, May 16, 2000.

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