Yesterday was the first anniversary of the day that Makiah went to be with Jesus. Her parents call it her Heaven Day. So in honor of Makiah's Heaven Day, everyone who loved her (and many who didn't even know her) painted their toes in rainbow colors. Later, you will understand why.
Makiah's parents, Rachel and Cameron, are family friends of ours through Matthew's parents. Cameron is a church pastor in Cairo, Georgia. On October 8th of last year, the three of them were passing through Thomasville on their way home from vacation, when their car was hit by a teenager who was high on marijuana. At the time, Rachel was just a few months pregnant with twin girls. Sadly, 4 year old Makiah didn't survive the accident and she went to be with Jesus that night. Although they were bumped and bruised pretty badly, Rachel, Cameron and the twins survived. This past February, Makiah's baby sisters were born. They are now 7 months old and absolutely adorable. Makiah would be so proud of them.
Rachel started a blog shortly after Makiah died and I have been following it ever since. In one of the very first entries, she wrote this:
"I look down at sparkly pink toes, and they are lonely. Makiah, our last Sunday together you spent the morning in bed with Mommy (because I am on bed rest). We ate fruit loops and snuggled. We practiced drawing your letters and painted our fingers and toes. You wanted rainbow toes, but I didn't have the colors with me. I promised I'd paint you rainbow toes later. Once we were all pink you said, "I got an idea! Let's put sparklies over the pink, and you have to do it, too, Mommy, so we can be twins!" You are such a princess! So pink toes became sparkly toes. We giggled and hugged and admired our matching feet.
Now mine sit all alone. Ten toes that should be twenty. Sparkles remind me of your glittering eyes and passion for life. I promised you rainbow toes. I kept my promise. Pretty shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Your sweet little toes looked so perfect before they closed the casket. No four year old should be buried with old lady toes. No four year old should be buried. Mommy is so sorry, baby, that you didn't get to see your pretty rainbow toes."
Now you understand the significance of the rainbow toes, and why we all painted our toes yesterday in honor of sweet Makiah. I would encourage you to read Rachel's latest blog entry, which she posted last night. She writes a letter to Makiah and tells her all about how their family spent the first anniversary honoring and remembering their sweet girl. Keep some tissues handy, because I promise you won't be able to read it without crying. I also encourage you to go back and read other entries that Rachel has posted. She is a phenomenal writer and I am so captivated by her thoughts and her stories about her memories of her precious daughter. Each time I read her blog, my perspective is immediately put back into focus. I am reminded of the frailty of life and the importance of each and every moment we have with our loved ones. Reading her words makes me want to reach through my computer screen and just hug her and cry right along with her. Please, take time to go read her blog. http://www.rachelsuzking.blogspot.com/
Sweet Makiah
My Toes for Makiah
The Slideshow that her Daddy made for her yesterday......
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