The girls always had fun together. They sang, danced, watched the same movies over and over. Our vacations were always a great time too. We had a karaoke machine, actually we went through several of them and that was their favorite thing to do. We had dozens of cassettes with all kinds of music and they would literally sing for hours. Danielle and Kendra actually performed all over for different organizations and competed in talent shows.
But now our middle is missing. She was always saying what was on her mind and lot of times growing up, I would have to say "Kendra " in a warning voice. But she would just laugh and keep right on talking. Once right after Ethan was born and she was still feeling out of shape, she came dancing out of the bathroom in her underwear and singing "Gimme more" by Britney Spears. We laughed till we cried. Now we still laugh and cry when that song comes on the radio.
The girls had drifted apart during the last couple years when Kendra was hiding her drug addiction. Sadly she had pushed us away and no one was sure what to do but they hated the distance between them. But we were so happy to finally get her back and she messaged her sisters when she could from rehab. We were so excited for her homecoming we bought Bravelets in the purple color for addiction. They say Be Brave on them. Part of the proceeds go to organizations helping to fight addiction. She only got to wear hers for two days but she was so touched. She cried when we gave hers to her. Danielle kept Kendra's and gave hers to our dear friend Angel, who lost a brother to drugs. Again, my wish is if anyone reading this is struggling with addictions, abuse or depression, or you know of anyone, please do not let fear, shame or embarrassment stop you from getting help. If talking about Kendra helps anyone, I will be thrilled.
When Kendra came home, they were three again, they were whole again. They had so many plans for the future and so happy to have their sister back. So excited for good times again, for laughing and fun.
But now our middle is missing, for good this time. Only an oldest and a youngest, no more middle.
We rejoice in our faith that we will be reunited some glorious day and our family will be together again.
But that missing piece in our family will never be replaced, we will forever miss our middle.
The girls had drifted apart during the last couple years when Kendra was hiding her drug addiction. Sadly she had pushed us away and no one was sure what to do but they hated the distance between them. But we were so happy to finally get her back and she messaged her sisters when she could from rehab. We were so excited for her homecoming we bought Bravelets in the purple color for addiction. They say Be Brave on them. Part of the proceeds go to organizations helping to fight addiction. She only got to wear hers for two days but she was so touched. She cried when we gave hers to her. Danielle kept Kendra's and gave hers to our dear friend Angel, who lost a brother to drugs. Again, my wish is if anyone reading this is struggling with addictions, abuse or depression, or you know of anyone, please do not let fear, shame or embarrassment stop you from getting help. If talking about Kendra helps anyone, I will be thrilled.
When Kendra came home, they were three again, they were whole again. They had so many plans for the future and so happy to have their sister back. So excited for good times again, for laughing and fun.
But now our middle is missing, for good this time. Only an oldest and a youngest, no more middle.
We rejoice in our faith that we will be reunited some glorious day and our family will be together again.
But that missing piece in our family will never be replaced, we will forever miss our middle.
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| On vacation in Monterey, CA |
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| Steph, Kendra and Danielle in front |
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