Sunday, July 19, 2009

Living on

It took us a long time to figure out who Lilah looks like in the family. She definitely looks like the twins' and Joey's sister, but she's always had a look all her own that the other kids don't share so much. It was only in the last year or so that I realized that she looks like my dad.

Lilah today, age 2 years 9 months.

I don't know exactly how old my dad is in these pictures, but I'm guessing 8 - 10 years old. There's a definite resemblance, especially in the eyes.

It's hard to find the words to articulate how this makes me feel. I don't believe in Heaven. I believe that we go on existing after death by living on in our children and in our children's children, and in our loved ones' hearts and memories. If this is true, then my dad lives on. He's been gone for 10 1/2 years, and I still miss him, so much sometimes that it can still bring an ache to my chest and tears to my eyes. But seeing him in Lilah's face makes me feel the connection, still.

4 comments:

Wendy P said...

Ah, she's a beauty. I can also see him in her cheekbones. I bet their full-on grins are similar, too.

My siblings are all here, even then it still catches my heart when I see them in my children's faces.

My sister was over the other day and while playing with Kira she said, "Holy Crap she looks like me!"

Unknown said...

She is so beautiful....and I see his spirit in her eyes, and in your loving ways.

Lisa B said...

I also se Kevin in him too...:)

Carla said...

Breathtaking resemblance...