The following is a written by my mom, Jeanine.
I will remember this moment forever. It was the hardest walk of my life.
I felt like it took a lifetime to get to our car.
I felt like I was on display, except I’d then look around and realize no one was looking at me.
Everyone had their own agendas, and their own places to be.
And then the balloons, and the teddy bear that was rushed passed us to congratulate someone on their baby girl… I will always remember…
A Note From My Mom
When it was time for her to leave the hospital, the nurse asked her if she would like a wheelchair, or if she felt strong enough to walk out.
My daughter, of course, said that she was fine, she would walk.
She was tired, she was weak, she was broken, this was going to be a long slow walk to the car.
We gathered our belongings and she stood up tall and held her husbands arm as we all walked out together, tears silently falling across her cheek.
As we stepped out of the elevator to make the walk across the bridge to the parking lot someone came by, excited, carrying celebratory balloons and a huge pink teddy bear.
They were so excited that they nearly ran into her.
For a moment I lost my breath.
My daughter was carrying none of those things.
She carried a much heavier load, she carried emptiness and sorrow… and the tears continued to fall across her cheeks.
My heart aches for you Katrina Villegas.
