Day 16
music by HELEN STELLaR (Io)
A little bigger here, if you prefer
Or you can just check out the photos without all the cross-dissolve and music and such.
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October 25, 2008
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Falling Down, November 2004
- Balloon in hand, my 4-year-old
twirled across the kitchen floor,
singing nonsense words
in her own key.
"It's my gift!" she declared
to the world at large, which
was really only me,
sitting at the table. Enough
twirling, and she lost
her balance, tumbling
to the floor in a theatrical
slapstick of elbows and knees.
She lay on her back
for a few seconds,
staring
at the textured ceiling
with the mysterious
spaghetti sauce stain.
Suddenly she
began
flapping her arms and legs
there on the floor, as if to swish
the imaginary snow
into a snow angel.
"Falling down is also a gift!" says she.
She is just lovely.
Thank you for the update, you are all often on my mind.
Posted by: Sarah | October 25, 2008 at 09:35 PM
i've been checking and checking and checking and WOW! the video wouldn't roll, but i could scroll through by dragging the button along and Annika looks fantastic! Thanks you donor family, indeed! Annika is one amazing kid.
(cute haircut, too!)
xomox
Posted by: moxiemomma | October 25, 2008 at 09:35 PM
Beautiful. Thank you.
Posted by: | October 25, 2008 at 09:35 PM
she looks fantastic! wow!
thanks so much for showing us.
xoxoxooxo
Posted by: kathy a. | October 25, 2008 at 09:37 PM
LOVE those eyes and SMILES!
HUGS!!
Posted by: Marisa | October 25, 2008 at 09:41 PM
Oh, my goodness. It's marvelous to see her smile again. You must be over the moon, Moreena.
Posted by: Madeleine | October 25, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Okay, tears in eyes. So glad to see her today! Thanks for sharing. Continued prayers for a continued recovery (and medical self-sufficiency by age 9)! Way to go on the haircut Mom.
Posted by: Academic | October 25, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter with us. Thank you for opening my heart and mind to registering so I may be able to help someone someday.
Posted by: Sheryl | October 25, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Thank you for posting this little story, Moreena... I don't know about this whole internets thing -- sometimes it's like we're in the room next to Anni and all of you, and other times we're waiting and wondering...
I agree with all of your thank-yous... She is the most beautiful, precious girl in my world at the moment and she's been on my mind whenever I'm surfing the web -- thanks for all of the wonderful pictures... Give Frankie a hug for us too...
And her scars are awesome -- I know that sometimes she might not feel that way, particularly being a growing, young lady... If I ever meet her, I can show her my scars... They're like the ribbons and bows on the beautiful gifts we've been given that allow us to stay here with the people we love a little bit longer...
You take care... Hope you're getting a little more rest now. I have an awesome Mom too -- I don't always know how y'all do it, but you rock.
Love,
Steve
Posted by: Steve Ferkau | October 25, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Oh, thank you for sharing! It was so good to see her smiling and active, after all the mental images from the previous posts. I'm so glad she's doing well, and continue to send you my best wishes for your whole family during Anni's recovery.
Posted by: Vicky Atkinson | October 25, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Oh my GOODNESS! She looks so grown up to me! I am sure you don't want to hear that so much, but she does! The hair cut is beautiful! Almost as beautiful as her new tummy. Blessings to you all. So much love and so many warm and loving thoughts also. I can't tell you how relieved I was to see this update. xoxo
Posted by: | October 25, 2008 at 10:35 PM
How wonderful to see Annika looking so well! Thank you so much for posting those pictures, it's a great relief.
Thoughts are with her donor's family at this so very kid-centred time of the year, too...
Posted by: Vicky | October 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
That video just made my whole day! Just to see her smile...ahhhh!! She's better than Princess Fiona any day...and thank god she's not green anymore!!! She's beautiful, as always, but it is so nice to see her looking more and more healthy every day. Thank you modern medicine and donor! This time around=AMAZING!
Posted by: Angie - Em's mom | October 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Moreena what a joy to see these wonderful photos. Annika looks glorious.
Posted by: Lisa V | October 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM
What great pictures and montage you've brought to us! Thanks for sharing! I've been watching for updates on your site and praying for Annika! Prayers continue for healing and blessings!
Posted by: Cindy mom2tyman LF | October 25, 2008 at 11:08 PM
She's a much better Fiona than Cameron Diaz was. And I love the new tummy.
Posted by: uccellina | October 25, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Oh, she looks wonderful! And great haircut :)
Hoping that her recovery continues to go smoothly.
Posted by: Rev Dr Mom | October 25, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Not a dry eye in the house. The hair job gets an "A". Just in time for Christmas.
Love, the Aragons.
Posted by: Bobby | October 25, 2008 at 11:23 PM
What a beautiful girl! Thank you for sharing your inspirational (and heartwrenching!!) story with us. I found your blog through amalah.com about a week ago and have been following your story, rooting for your little girl ever since. Best wishes to you and your family!
Posted by: Dawn | October 25, 2008 at 11:50 PM
She's gorgeous. I started my day by checking out my reader and saw this video first. Thank you, I'm grateful you shared.
Posted by: kerry | October 26, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Oh she looks beautiful. I am so very glad she is doing well.
Posted by: vanessa | October 26, 2008 at 01:04 AM
great blog some how i found you when i was looking for stuff on our son and his birth defect on esophageal atresia such a great blog site you have i wish you all the best.
Posted by: kayla | October 26, 2008 at 01:36 AM
Oh, what an indomitable soul. And such beautiful, clear eyes! We all are much richer for Annika's presence among us.
Thank you for your courage and grace, Moreena. And thank you for your glorious light, Annika.
Posted by: Analisa | October 26, 2008 at 01:43 AM
So glad to see the gorgeous update! And nice job on the haircut! You must have been taking notes during your own. Thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Norah | October 26, 2008 at 01:55 AM
Oh My...... how beautiful is that! I hope you don't mind that I posted a link to the video on my blog for others to see what a miracle has occurred.
She and you all are so very brave..
Bring out the tissues....
Hugs,
Nancy and Joe in Calif.
Posted by: Nancy, waiting for a liver in CA | October 26, 2008 at 02:35 AM