Missing you  / Michelle Yahre (Friend)
Dear Kaylee

As Thanksgiving and your baby brothers 1st birthday approach I wanted to send you a note. I want you to know I absolutely adore Timmy. Or as I call him Mr. Tim chubbs and beauty-boy. He looks so much like you and his smile is as captivating as yours. I am truly thankful to be a part of his life and to watch him grow. I am also extremely grateful for the bond I share with your mama and dada. And I know Kyle and Max feel the same.

I"ve never really been a “mushy” person. Actually quite the opposite. But I know I am not alone when I tell you that on many regular run of the mill days I find my eyes fill up with uncontrollable tears. I know I am not alone when I tell you the times I wake in the middle of the night and more than 5 minutes go by I look at the clock and 2 hours have gone by thinking of you and your parents. I believe that time helps to ease pain. But I know we will have pain in our hearts forever and I have come to grips with it as unfair as I think it is.

I thank you Kaylee for sending your sweet and lovable brother to us. I thank you for bringing your mother and I together. She is one of my closest friends. I thank you for being a constant reminder of how much your father means to me and how important he is in my life.

I love you and miss you. And continue you to think of you every single day.

Michelle
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Thinking Of You Today And Always  / Lisa (Ms. Lisa) Abramo (Mommy & Me Teacher )

Dear Amy Ed and Timothy

I thought of you and your family all day today.  It is hard to believe that three years have gone by.  You have had to deal with a lot of challenges and overcome the obstacles along the way.  Kaylee holds a very special place in my heart and I will never forget her beautiful smile and attentiveness during our playtime every Monday morning.  You were both great parents to her and it was apparent that you gave her so much love and enjoyed every minute of being with her.  I noticed that from the beginning and it will always stand out in my mind.  This is something that so many of us take for granted.  When people ask how many children you have you can say you have two beautiful children but one has gone home to the angels.  Timothy has an adorable big sister who is forever young and remains present in your hearts and love.  She is always with you and that connection will never separate you.  Her little brother is a gift that she gave to you and your family.  Know that I am thinking of you today and always.  You are in my thoughts and prayers! 

                                  Love

                                  Lisa

 

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Three years of missing you  / Maoo &. Papa (Grandparents)

Our sweet beautiful Kaylee - it's been three years today since you left us brokenhearted.  We love you and miss you more everyday.  Watch over your baby brother Timmy.  You are his angel big sister.

Love & Kisses

Maoo & Papa

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Another Year  / Mama

Another year without you.  Another year filled with missing you and wishing you were here to share in all that we do.  Its hard to believe it is 3 years.  You are now gone longer than you were here......something that just doesn't seem possible. 

This year we were blessed with your baby brother.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish you were here playing with him and teaching him all the things that you knew.  I know you would have been such a great big sister.  I truly believe you sent him to us.  I think you knew he was just what we needed and you were right.  Having him this year has brought us so much happiness.  More happiness than I ever thought I would have again.  We are smiling again laughing again and most importantly living again.  Thank you Kaylee for sending Timothy to save our lives.  I look at him and feel like I have a piece of you back.  He looks so much like you.  Sometimes he will make a face and I'll think that is a "Kaylee face".  We talk about you all the time and tell Timmy about you.  He will grow up knowing his big sister and how special you were.  We are trying to teach him to say KK.  Sometimes he will look at your picture and wave.  Please continue to watch over him and protect him. You are his special guardian angel.

No matter how much time passes it will never change how much I miss you and how much I wish my life was different.  I should have my 2 kids with me here to love.  I shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable every time someone asks me how many kids I have. So many things shouldn't be because you should still be here with us. Nothing has really been easy since we lost you and I know it will continue to be challenging but somehow we find our way.  I'm sure you are there and will continue to be there to guide us.  It is a journey that will last a lifetime just as our love for you will also last a lifetime.  I think of you every moment of every day and miss you as much. You are forever in my broken heart.  I love you my sweet baby girl.

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Your 5th Birthday  / Mama
I find it so hard to believe that you would be turning 5 years old this birthday.  You will forever be my little 2 1/2 year old.  I went to Party City today and bought paper plates, cups and a table cloth for Sunday. Even though you are not physically with us we still "celebrate" your birthday with family and our close friends.  Mama is going to make cupcakes and we will do our annual balloon release in the backyard. As I was picking out the stuff at Party City it made me feel sad because I bought Sesame Street which was your favorite but then it made me wonder what you would like now and what you would have asked me to buy. I doubt at 5 you would still love Sesame as much as you did at 2.  At least this year I am thankful I had your brother with me at Party City so it wasn't as depressing as other years.  It made me look forward to going for him and picking out things he would like for his birthday.  I wonder if he will love Sesame as much as you did.  I put it on for him sometimes and he seems to like it.  Its funny because not many of the shows have changed since when we used to watch it.  It makes me smile remembering you watching it and how you loved your "friends".  So baby girl we will remember and celebrate your life this birthday as we have done the other 2 years without you.  We will remember what a beautiful, smart and sweet little girl you were and how much we all loved you.  We will bring some favorite balloons to you and Mama has some new "friends" for you too.  I love you with all my heart my beautiful birthday girl.  I will miss you and feel the void you left in my heart and in my life forever.  Lots of huggies and kisses to you in Heaven. Close

may / Francine Pilgrim (friend)

may a month of beginning.  the trees budding again, flowers arriving... and your birthday coming up.  i cant beleive you have been gone so long.. it still feels like a short time ago to me. i think of you all the time and wish you were here to play. and especially with benjamin.  although i could see you now getting mad at benjamin because he would make you play ball all the time even when you wouldnt want to... but then again, that was not in your personality to get mad. you are so much like your mama. i bet you would be the little lady today with so much politeness and patience. and with an even bigger cuter smile.  and a big met fan like you daddy. i bet you would be the smartest in your class with math too...    Thank you for bringing your parents your brother. i wanted to tell you the other night benjamin found a picutre that was taken of me and him and elmo from your first birthday party.  I was so surpised that he found it. i thought i put it away.  But somehow he found it in his hands and i found that very fitting with your birtdhay coming up.  you always find little ways to let people know you are with us.  Please let your moma know this sunday you are with her even more so this mothers day.  watch over timothy..  let him know it is okay to sleep in his/your crib by himself.   make your parents feel comfort this month... and let them be truly happy again.  with your help i know they will be okay. your parents are very strong. i am very proud to say they are my friends.

never forget you 

xoxoxox

Uncle Fran 

   

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Mother's Day  / Mama
Mama has a lot of different emotions associated with this Mother's Day.  I wish I had both my babies here with me to celebrate.  It makes me sad that you aren't here, my first baby, but yet I feel very blessed and happy to have your baby brother with me this year.  I guess I will always feel torn like this.  Sad on one hand and happy on the other.  Your baby brother has brought so much joy back into our lives.  We feel alive again.  We talk about you all the time and tell him lots of stories about things you did and said, your likes and dislikes.  He will grow up knowing all about his big sister.   I think you knew Timothy would bring us back to life and that is why you sent him to us.  So on this Mother's Day I will think about you, my beautiful daughter, how much I love you and miss you but I will also be thankful to share the day with my son, your baby brother who looks so much like you and who we love very much.  I will come visit you in the morning on Sunday and then spend the day with Maoo, Papa, Dada and Baby Timmy.  I will hold you in my heart as I hold Timmy in my arms- I will have both my babies close to me. Close

This Week...  / Tracy Beyrodt

Dear Kaylee,

Please watch over your mommy and daddy this week as they begin a new chapter in their lives by welcoming your baby brother or sister into the world.  I, like so many others, am thrilled that they will have this opportunity yet again to love and care for another child, just like they have always done for you.  My wish is that this baby will bring about a renewed sense of hope and inner peace for your parents.  They have always been an inspiration to me.  I wish them nothing but a lifetime of happiness, love and peace.  Kisses & Hugs!!!

Love, Tracy

PS- Kiss my Joseph for me, sweet KK! 

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God Bless your family  / Karen Robinson (Friend)

I just want to say you have a very brave family.  I hope you are watching over them and sending your special kisses and warmth to them to help them through the tough times and that they can feel you with them.  My heartfelt wishes to you all.

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Hello Sweet Kayllee I sent you yoru Balloon  / Julie Stein (Internet Friend )

Hi Kaylee, little angel I want you to know I am thinking of you your Mama,dada,family & friends on this very sad day!!! 2 years ago yoube came an angel in heaven and I know you are the most beautiful and perfect angel there!!!! Today I sent you a beautiful green Balloon just like the one you had in the picture online!!!I know you caught it and are enjoying it!!!!! Your Mom & Dad are two of the most wonderful people Ihave ever heard of!! They reached out to little Anthony & his family in thir time of crisis and need when their own hearts were broken and aching so very badly!!! Mama & Dada keep close with those who truly understand the lost and love you.Kaylee I really care and love your Mama and dada for being such terrfic people and shareing you with us, who never got to really know you and yoru fantastic family & Friends!!!!! I am sending you Kaylee and everyone a great big Hug and kiss!! enjoy your Balloon!!!Much Love & Hugs Julie

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What I've Learned  / Maureen Indiviglio (Friend)
I also wanted to share some of the things I have learned from Kaylee and her amazing parents:

I have learned to use my words more carefully and no longer say things like “this is a nightmare” or “what a horrible day”.

I take pictures of just ‘regular’ moments – waking up in the morning, laying on the couch or just playing in the yard. I have realized these ‘regular’ moments are what matters most.

It consider it a privilege for parents to be able to take their kids to school, dance, soccer, football, etc., no matter how busy or frenzied it may seem to some parents. This is not something to complain about.

I value the little things more - coloring with your child and talking with them…laying in bed and watching cartoons - these things can have more of an impact than taking them to the biggest carnival or amusement park. I think of the saying ‘Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
I listen more closely to my daughter and write down things that she says so I can always remember them.

I am very aware, on a daily basis, that life can change in a moment.

I know Amy and Ed valued all their moments with Kaylee. They have been an inspiration to me, and so many others, as parents. I know their journey will never end and they will miss their little girl forever. I also know that Kaylee’s little brother or sister is so very lucky to have them as parents. And I know Kaylee will be a proud and wonderful Big Sister, guiding her family here on earth until they all meet again someday.
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WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH  / TERESA MAININI (SPECIAL FRIEND )
TO MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL KAYLEE ROSE,
IT WAS 2YRS AGO TOMORROW THAT YOU CAME INTO OUR LIVES. ON OCT 7TH 2006 YOU BEGAN TO HELP MY LITTLE BOY HEAL AND BECAME BABY ANTHONY’S FAVORITE GARDIAN ANGEL. KK YOU HAVE HELPED SAVE HIS LIFE SO MANY TIMES AND YOU HAVE HELPED ME HELP HIM. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND IAM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE YOU TO TALK TO HOWEVER I STILL HAVE THAT VERY SAD FEELING WHEN I TALK YOU TO AND PRAY TO YOU. KK HOW I WISH INSTEAD OF PRAYING TO YOU, I COULD PLAY WITH YOU INSTEAD AND THAT IS WHEN I REALIZE HOW UNFAIR LIFE REALLY IS. I KNOW YOU’RE WITH GOD BUT LIKE MAMA SAY’S THAT BEST PLACE FOR YOU IS WITH YOUR MAMA AND UNTIL THAT HAPPENS WE WILL ALWAYS BE SO SAD. KK PRETTY SOON YOU WILL BE A BIG SISTER AND I KNOW IF YOU WERE HERE YOU WOULD BE SO GOOD AT THAT SO FROM UP ABOVE SEND YOUR BABY BROTHER OR SISTER LOTS OF BIG KISSES. YOUR MEMORY WILL ALWAYS LIVE ON. WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND WILL ALWAYS BE THANKFUL TO YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS MIRACLES.
TO AMY AND ED,
WE LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH AND MY HEART ACHES FOR YOU GUYS. I COULD NEVER IMAGINE OUR LIFE WITH OUT YOU IN IT. YOU HAVE BOTH BECOME SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR LIVES AND BABY ANTHONY LOVES YOU BOTH SO MUCH. ED, I CANT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE JOY YOU BRING TO MY SON EVERYTIME HE SEE’S YOU. THE LOVE IN HIS EYES EVERYTIME YOU COME TO VISIT IS SO AMAZING. AMY I LOVE HOW BABY ANTHONY JUST KISSES YOU AND TOUCHES YOU LIKE HE KNOWS WHO YOU REALLY ARE. I GET SO EXCITED WHEN I KNOW YOU’RE COMING AND SO SAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. YOU TWO ARE THE MOST SPECIAL, AMAZING AND GREATES PEOPLE I KNOW. WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IS SO UNFAIR. I KNOW PRETTY SOON YOU WILL HAVE A NEW BABY AND I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH. I CANT WAIT TO FINALLY MEET HE OR SHE. HOWEVER I KNOW THIS TIME WILL BE BITTER SWEET. THE JOY OF A NEW BABY IS ALWAYS SO HAPPY BUT FOR YOU BOTH IT WILL ALSO BE SO SAD, THERE WILL BE DAYS IT WILL MAKE YOU REALLY MISS KK AND DAYS WHEN YOU WILL LAUGH ABOUT SOMETHING HE OR SHE DOES THAT REMINDES YOU OF KK. I KNOW YOU BOTH WILL ONCE AGAIN BE AMAZING PARENTS BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE THOSE QUESTIONS AND STILL NO ANSWERS. AMY AND ED I PRAY FOR YOU BOTH EVERYDAY AND I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN GIVE YOU THE LOVE AND JOY THAT YOU BOTH HAVEN GIVEN TO MY FAMILY NOT JUST WITH KAYLEE BUT WITH YOURSELVES. WE LOVE YOU BOTH SO MUCH AND ARE ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU. PLEASE KNOW WE GET IT.
WITH ALL OF OUR LOVE, HEARTS, THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
TERESA, TONY, BABY ANTHONY & BABY MARCELLO
XOXOXOXO
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To little blue eyes  / Debbie Kennedy (Shannon's Mom )
If tears could build a stairway,
And memories were a lane,
We would walk right up to Heaven,
To bring you home again.

No farewell words were spoken,
No time to say goodbye.
You were gone before we knew it,
And only God knows why.

Our hearts still ache with sadness;
And secret tears still flow;
What it meant to love you,
No one will ever know.

We knew little that day
God was going to call you.
It broke many hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone;
For, part of us went with you
The day He called you home.

You left us beautiful memories;
Your love is still our guide.
And, though we cannot see you,
You are always by our sides.

Our love,
The Kennedy family. Close

Friends / Michelle Yahre (Friend)

Dear Kaylee,

I want you to know that I will continue to help & support your parents in their new skin. That I will be walking beside them or behind them for the rest of my life.

I heard this song a thousand times. But then I heard it with your parents next to me. If I could sing this song to them everyday I would. There will never come a time when they can't count on me. I will be there through the good and the bad, no matter what.

The song is called "You've Got A Friend"

 

When you're down and troubled
And you need some loving care
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

If the sky above you
Grows dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind begins to blow
Keep your head together
And call my name out loud
Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there

Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend
When people can be so cold
They'll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them
Oh, but don't you let them

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
You've got a friend

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Thinking of you today and everyday  / Aunt Chrissie

Hello sweet, beautiful Kaylee,

It's been 2 years today since I've seen your smiling face, heard your laughter, gotten to hug and kiss you.  I miss you so much and I always will.  This will always be such a bittersweet day for me.  I am glad that I have happy memories of you playing and laughing on the last birthday I spent with you but it also reminds me of the start of that awful week we lost you.  I think about you every day.  I see so much of you in your cousin Sarah.  Her temperament and personality are so much like yours - she loves The Wiggles, Elmo and Blues Clues just like you.  I am sure you visit with her and Emily often.  Emily still talks about you and misses you so much.  The other day she told me that you will always be her best friend.  I am sure Sarah would have felt the same way about you.

I know you have been watching over Mama and Dada and helping Mama feel better.  Please send them lots of hugs and kisses this week.  They are both so amazing but it is still so hard for them without you.

We are all so excited that your baby brother or sister will be coming soon.  I know you would be so thrilled to be a big sister and I am sure you will watch over this new baby.

KK, you will always be so loved and will always be a special part of our family.

I'll keep missing you until the day we are together again.

Love always,

Aunt Chrissie

 

   

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The Things I've Learned  / Annie Lauritsen (friend)
Kaylee,

The ‘dash’ of your life was small; but the impact you made was not.
I did not have the privilege of knowing you well. But I’ve come to know you so much better from this web site and I wanted to share some thoughts.

The Things I’ve Learned

1. Take plenty of pictures.

This web site is such a great way to remember you. I’m amazed at the moments your parents captured, both big and small, with pictures and video. It has allowed so many of us to get to know you better and realize just how special you were. I started carrying a small digital camera to do the same with my own children. I regret the moments I missed in the years before.

2. Pray.

It’s easy to be praying when times are difficult. I read something that basically said that there are essentially two prayers: help and thank you. I am grateful that I have had many more days of gratitude than of need. But before you left this world I’m pretty sure I was short on the thank yous. I’ve tried to change that.

3. Prioritize.

Your mother wrote about this so well in the past two years. It is not the money, the things, the car, or the job that really matter. I know that your parents really would be living in that cardboard box to have you back. But they don’t get that choice. But we all do get the choice- to make time to spend with the people we love, and to make people our priority and not our things and status. Because of you, we’ve gone to the park and left the house a mess more often. Or we’ve gone out to eat for no special reason.


4. The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it.

Your parents are living proof of this. Losing you was just…unthinkable. It still shocks me to try and grasp hold of it. Yet somehow, someway, they move in a forward direction. There is a great new joy to be had with this new baby to be born in November. But it will never diminish the grief of missing you.

I try to keep this lesson in the forefront of my mind. I am very aware that in a “New York minute” everything could change. At some point in the last two years I realized that these are the best years of my life- having my parents, husband, and children with me here on this earth. It will not always be that way. That day will come. I cannot prepare for it, but I can read #3 and assure myself I will survive. Your parents have survived every parent’s greatest tragedy.
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The Last Two Years  / Mama
It’s hard to believe we are approaching 2 years since you were taken from us. The pain of losing you is still so fresh and the trauma we endured still takes my breath away. We have been through a lot these past 2 years. The first year after we lost you we were in pure survival mode; still in shock and walking around in a fog. We pretty much just existed, barely functioning, overcome with grief. This past year has been a little different. We have been learning to live again while at the same time still grieving. We are learning to enjoy things again little by little although maybe not with the same enthusiasm we once had. We accept that nothing will ever truly be the same again including ourselves. The people we used to be died with you. This last year we have started to reinvent who we are now. We may not be for the better but I do think we are stronger. I think the saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” is very true. We have simplified our lives in the last 2 years. We only do what we feel comfortable doing and only spend time with those we feel comfortable with. We have lost some friends along the way and may not have the same kind of relationships we once had but we have learned who we can count on. We no longer have time for the people who wanted us to just “get over it” or who did and said hurtful things, or for those who just did nothing at all. They didn’t understand and never will so they are not a part of our lives anymore. We no longer have the patience for selfish people or for those who constantly complain about their kids or their lives. They should know how lucky they are. Instead we choose to spend our time with those who stuck by us and have walked with us on this difficult journey, offering their understanding, patience, time and acceptance of the people we have become. Without them we never would have made it this far. I still have plenty of bad days where I don’t feel like getting out of bed or nights when I cry myself to sleep. We still struggle every day. I imagine it will be a struggle for the rest of our lives. There are many times when I’m out somewhere and have to fake a smile and put on a happy appearance when inside my heart is breaking and aching for you to be there with me. I don’t think there is ever a second when you are not on my mind. I’m getting used to being asked the dreaded question, “do you have any kids?” and lately with my big pregnant belly “is this your first”. I always say “no, my second” and then answer the usual questions that follow like "what do you have at home, a boy or girl?"  "how old is she?" etc. It breaks my heart each time I’m asked but I know they are questions I will have to answer for a lifetime. You will always be my first born child and I will always include you as part of our family. These are just the type of things we are learning to deal with and accept as part of our new life. I’m often reminded of that line from Forest Gump that says “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get”. I never would have thought something like this could ever happen to me but it did and I have to learn how to deal with what has been given to me. I don’t have to like it but I have to accept it. I think that has been a lot of what this past year has been about for us, accepting that you are gone forever and learning how to live again while at the same time still missing you. Now especially with your new baby brother or sister on the way, we have to try to do our best to give this baby a happy life. I’m learning to accept the fact that we’ll never have the same kind of happiness we had when you were here with us. It isn’t possible because our family will always be incomplete. It makes me sad but I know it is true. Life as we knew it and life as we imagined it could be ended when you left this world but we are doing the best we can and I know you are proud of us for that. Even though we are battered and bruised and scarred for life, we have survived two years without you. We still have a lifetime ahead of us. It won’t be easy but it can’t get any harder. We will miss you and love you forever and until we can hold you in our arms again, we will hold you close in our hearts. Close

thinking of you  / Christine Dunlap (Friend)

It has been awhile since visiting the website and the amount of love shared through messages and stories gives me such a warm and inspirational feeling. It reminds me to enjoy each and every day and makes me realize that bad days are even good ones. Kaylee I didn't get to know you as well as I would have liked to but from past stories and visiting the website I know you were truly an amazing little girl. It doesn't surprise me since your mama and dada are truly wonderful lpeople with big hearts.  My thoughts are always with you and your family.

Christine

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wishing you the best  / MaryEllen (Passerby)

Amy & Ed,

You don't know me but I have been a visitor to this site since it has been put up. I feel as though I knew Kaylee and your whole family for that matter. I have watched all of kaylee's videos and laughed and cried. I have thought of Kaylee and you both often.  I so hoped that you would be blessed with another child, when I read today that you would be bouncing another baby on your knees, I felt compelled to write and offer you my hearfelt congrats.

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For Ed  / Kyle And Michelle (Friends)

A Father means so many things...
A understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way.
A special generosity and always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you...

~Author Unknown~



We saw this poem and thought of you.

The most devoted, dedicated father Kaylee could ever have.

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