Balloon for Papa... from Lauren

[Bill]

Ok some may or may not know of this, but about oh a year or so ago Lauren and I started this thing where she writes a message gives a kiss and sometimes even draws a picture on a balloon and we fill it up and send it up in the sky to "Papa" (her grandpa, Stacey my wifes Dad who passed from Cancer).

We haven't done it in a long time, and the last few days she has been looking up at the sky for the brightest star (she calls that Papa) and its been overcast etc so at dinner tonight we went to Applebees and she asked the waitress for 2 balloons.

The girl said we normally only give each little girl one and Lauren was quick to say I only want one for me, but the other one I want to send up to "Papa" in heaven. We explained to the waitress the meaning and all, needless to say she got her 2 balloons, heck the waitress even came outside with us to the door to watch the big yellow balloon that Lauren kissed as it sailed upto heaven to make Papa smile in the hopes his star would shine bright for her to see tonight.

Well of course the waitress Stacey and I were all in tears, Lauren had the BIGGEST smile on her face tho and didn't quite get why we were crying ....

She never made it to dark, she fell asleep in the car on the way home but I will tell her Papa's star was out watching over her as she slept....


Bill

[spmusic49]

This is a wonderful story ! I did have a friend who passed away a few years ago at the age of 33. My youngest daughter didn't go to the viewing and funeral, so what we did was something like your Lauren did. We bought some yellow balloons, wrote messages on them, and let them go by the lake in center of town. This was a way for my youngest daughter to say goodbye to a good friend.

[leducred98]

ok bill its 623am and you got me crying!!!

s

[barbara]

Bill it's 7:47 here and you have me crying too.What a sweet story she sounds like a special little girl.

[judy]

Please pass the tissue Barbara. It is 12:26pm here, half the day started and crying already.

What a darling daughter you have Bill, you must be so extremely proud of her. She is going to be a wonderful, fine woman some day. Many people could take lessons from this special little girl. Thanks for sharing. Everytime I see a balloon I will smile and think of Lauren's Papa and say a prayer.