This is a face too sweet to forget! There would have been some sorta cake (probably made by one of the greatest moms I know) with six candles on it today for her. She probably would have sneaked down early while it was still somewhat dark and been excitedly hovering over her mommy or daddy's face...hoping to wake someone on this special day--her birthday! She may have been trying to whisper (and with the eager anticipation her voice slowly getting louder without realizing it) something about wanting breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes minus the chocolate chips in hers :) (daddy's specialty) perhaps as we all know that this girl had a healthy appetite :) Although there won't be any of this today, please join me in remembering one of the sweetest little girls I had the pleasure of knowing. A little monkey that lived life with all that was in her. A cuddle bug who had and incredible family--each loved her unconditionally, and she them. I am thankful today for Maria...she has touched SO many hearts and lives. She was probably way ahead of us...knowing that one day we would SEE just a glimpse of God's plan as her life will continue to touch lives in so many ways.
Thank you for all of your love, support and prayers. As I read through the mail and emails I am blown away by the continued support for the Chapmans. Please remember this family this month of May..one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Be blessed...you are LOVED!
Praying for you and love you so much.Tears are streaming from my face.Love you all.Praying.Hurts!So sorry and just,uh,I love you so much!!!
Stephanie G
Charlotte,NC
Posted by: stephiegdalyrist | May 14, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I will NEVER forget Maria.
Posted by: Laura Miller | May 14, 2009 at 02:54 PM
crying as I read this... thinking about all of you today and praying and praying
Posted by: Tamara | May 13, 2009 at 03:59 PM
Thank you for sharing! It is hard to believe that a whole year has passed. The Chapmans have been through so many life changes and it is so inspiring to see how they are functioning and growing in God in spite of their circumstances. Talk about hope!! They are such an encouragement.
Happy Birthday Maria--I know you will be celebrating with Jesus in Heaven!!
Posted by: Heidi | May 13, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Still & always praying for everyone through this great time of need. Always reminds me of the loss of my beautiful little angel though she didnt pass in the same way. Still cry tears for her everytime I read a teary blog from Mary Beth or any of you all that are close to her. I will be making birthday cupcakes in honor of Maria tonight & praying the Chapmans & everyone get through these next few weeks. Take care & God bless you always.
Posted by: shannon blake | May 13, 2009 at 03:15 PM
So many tears shed for this family! So many prayers lifted! We will pray on for their (and your!) healing and comfort.
Posted by: Tanya Robinson | May 13, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Maria likes her pancakes plain, no chocolate chips in hers...remember? :)
Posted by: Jodi | May 13, 2009 at 01:10 PM
Sweet, Sweet MARIA <3
I think you are right in saying she lived life to the fullest with her sunshine smile and happiness!!
Only GOD knows our plans... it makes me want to be a better person to myself and everyone else I know! As we all know there is only a certain time we have on this beautiful earth with family and loves ones.
Tim McGraw says in one of his songs written for his father I believe..."live like you were dying" there is a big lesson in those words... dream more, love more, play more, pray more, live life more... because as we all know, it can be gone in an instant!
Prayer being said for all those who knew and loved SWEET, SWEET MARIA <3
BLESSINGS
Posted by: Anne from Northwest Penn | May 13, 2009 at 12:52 PM
What a beautiful post Grace. Love and prayers to the Chapmans and you and all who surround them.
Posted by: Sharon - ON Canada | May 13, 2009 at 12:34 PM
PRAYERS BEING SAID.........
Posted by: Debbie from Ohio | May 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Grace,
Just stopping by to give you a ((((HUG))))). You are such a big part of the Chapman family, both you and Jim H., probably lots of others behind the scenes. You have been there all this year. Seems praying is what we out here can do, sometimes it seems like it can't be enough, and, then I see a photo of Shaoey or Stevey Joy with a smile, or I read Mary Beth's words or see her in Chicago with her precious young man, WF, I can see God just moving and Loving. I know our prayers are what is needed. God is peeking into all of our lives right now and dwelling within each and everyone of us. Prayers continue for all of you.
If you see Mary Beth today, could you give her a big old squeeze hug from all of us out here. Please hug yourself, too. Maria was one special little sweet girl....hug one another today and rejoice in having been blessed to love such a sweet gift from the Hands of God.
Posted by: diane | May 13, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I keep getting visions of her in my head: Maria's in her BIG, BIG House, with a BIG, BIG Birthday cake. She lived life BIG. She touched her family's life BIG. And when she left us she asked us a BIG, BIG question to challenge us:
"SEE?"
I see, Maria.
Love and prayers to the Chapmans and all of you that get to hold them close this month.
Posted by: Cheryl & Mike Marshall | May 13, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Grace, even though I see your sweet face just about everyday, I just had to let you know how much it means to me that you remembered Maria on your blog today. You hug that little Jordyn a little tighter today and let her know that Auntie Mary Beth Loves her so very much and that her Mommy is one of the best I know! I love you. Without your help to the Chapmans, where would we be? You are loved my sweet friend. Thanks for loving Maria while she was with us. I'm sure she SEE's fully what we still SEE dimly.
Posted by: MBC | May 13, 2009 at 10:46 AM
That is the most beautiful word picture Grace! Thank you for sharing and reminding us all...
Posted by: Susanna | May 13, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Grace, your post made me cry, again, over dear Maria, and for the Chapman family & all of you who loved Maria so much. Praying...
Posted by: Donna | May 13, 2009 at 09:24 AM
praying on.....heart aching with hope......so many will SEE because the Chapman's LOVED MARIA.
many have asked; but please give them all hugs from the Gordon family in MA
until eternity...we pray on 4 U all,
Christine
Posted by: Christine Gordon | May 13, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Grace, it might help if you guys have chocolate chip pancakes and birthday cake today. My sister and I always go to Sonic on my mom's day, and it helps us a bit.
Hugs,
Melinda
Posted by: Melinda | May 13, 2009 at 09:03 AM
all our love not only to the Chapmans but to those that surround them with prayer and love and support. Thank you for helping us remember Maria - may it be some small comfort to you that thousands across the globe have stopped and said a prayer of thanks for her life today.
Posted by: KP | May 13, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Praying continually today.
Posted by: Bethany | May 13, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Praying...
Posted by: Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska) | May 13, 2009 at 08:31 AM
Oh Grace, I know that "..would have been 6 today.." so well, and it hurts so much. I sobbed in the shower this morning just as I seem to do on my son's birthday.
I'm praying for all of you without ceasing. Thank you for allowing me to feel like family even as a stranger to you.
Please give all of the Chapmans (and yourself and Jim!) a hug for me- tell Stevey Joy and Shaoey that the lady who made them the paper dolls loves them and is praying.
Posted by: Janele | May 13, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Praying.
Posted by: Isabelle | May 13, 2009 at 08:13 AM