Friends

My dear beautiful girl,

Today your sister had a playdate with "A" after school. Her mom invited me in when I picked her up. You would remember her. We picked Bella up there once before. Her house was so beautiful & I was in so much awe, I almost drove right into the ditch. Remember? This time we went in & it's even more beautiful inside. :)

Her son was in your class last year. He was very upset when he found out. Many of the kids at school were. The same day, one of the neighborhood kids posted a video on Instagram of himself walking up to our front door & laying a poster there saying, "I love and miss you Hailey." They showed it to me. It was very sweet. I think I know who the kid is. Your sisters told me it was one of the boys who had a crush on you. Apparently there was another post later on with a picture of notes many of the kids left on our doorstep. There was only one when we returned from our trip. Not sure what happened to the rest, but I put that one in your memory box. :(

Her oldest daughter is a year older than sissy, & has Type 1 diabetes. She was diagnosed not too long ago. The dad is a doctor. I met him too. All very nice people. We talked about the disease, how their daughter got diagnosed but surprisingly not right away. Even with the dad being a doctor, and having 3 family members with type 2, they didn't catch it right away. They explained about the weight loss, & thirst being the first signs, overall malaise all happening within a course of a couple weeks.

Their daughter too ended up in ER. However, her condition wasn't as severe as yours. She survived & is now doing fine, managing her medicine, injecting insulin up to 4 times a day all by herself. They gave their sincere condolences that this wasn't the case with you. I explained to them what happened. He said it wasn't abnormal for things to happen the way they did. That although sad & tragic, we should at least take comfort in knowing that you did not suffer. That the doctors most likely did try their best to treat you, just like we as parents did everything we could. I did feel some comfort hearing it from him. He had a kind & honest way about him. I hope he's right...that you didn't suffer.

They offered help in anything we need, said to consider them neighbors & friends. I told them the play date is a start. Since Bella misses you, her best friend. She needs someone closer to her age to play with. It was good to see her have fun again, to smile & get excited.

They invited us back for a barbeque in the summer. Sissy even made friends with the oldest. While we talked she went up to her bedroom & found out she's also a 1D, Alana & 5 sauce fan. She's also in the AP scholars program & goes to the same high school sissy's going to next year. I am happy she made a new friend. Friends are good, specially at a time like this.

Well my baby, Bella made me promise I wouldn't stay up too late tonight. It's made me so tired & run down during the day. Some days I don't even want to get out of bed. I'm glad for your sisters who give me no choice.

I miss you baby girl. So so much. I love you so so much. When I look up at the stars, I see you. When I look up at the sun & moon, I see you. I wonder if you could see me...

Always & forever,
Your mommy. <3