JulieLeung.com: a life told in tidepools

Ever since reading Dear Elena (via Ted) yeasterday, I’ve been wanting to hug Daniel Steinberg and his family. No, parents are not supposed to bury their six year old daughter. She died suddenly this week and bacterial meningitis is suspected. I’ll be reading this blog again and again for the wisdom there. He describes how the garbage man who knew his kids came to comfort them, what a wonderful wife he has, what happened on the day Elena died .It just happened so fast. Like Elena, our Abigail just lost a prominent tooth in her mouth. Daniel and his wife started dating on our wedding day, and like us, they chose each other despite an important difference. The story is written with beauty in the pain, with hope and sadness. It makes you ache for Daniel and his family. It makes you grateful for your own family, to treasure, hug and kiss these kids who are only in our care for a short time. His posts encourage us not to leave any unfinished business. His stories encourage generosity. Daniel and his family are generous, teaching us by example and explicit instruction, letting us share and letting us learn from Elena.

But it isn’t because of privacy that we aren’t posting her picture. It’s hard to describe, but I’ll try.
I’ve read all of your comments. Thank you. Many of you have sent us support and that means a lot. But many of you have sent us a note about looking at your own child differently. Others have sent stories of losses you have suffered. A picture makes this story about one particular little girl. We’re touched that you have personalized this story and made it about you and your family.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Daniel, Kim, Maggie and Elena.
Hugs from us to you. Many hugs and thoughts and prayers.