Surrounded by Angels

Shelby's song

For eleven months I have held onto this clip. I watch it when I am at my saddest, during most crippling of moments. I watch and I cry and sing with my little girl. I watch Shelby singing last December 2ND in her hospital bed, holding herself upright, swaying and without sight..she sings with all of her might. She takes time to catch her breath..and sings with her heart. Only 16 days later she would be gone from us.

Aimee (sister) and Keaton (brother) recorded the CD she is singing to in the early cold morning the day after Thanksgiving last year. Children's Hospital Music Therapy Dept. recorded it. Keaton played the guitar and they sang this beautiful song for Shelby. It is Hear You Me by Jimmy Eat World.

Shelby had heard it only once when she began singing. I had my camera near and captured her "feeling" her way through this song. Tears streamed down my face and the face of the nurse who was in the room. We quietly witnessed Shelby, in all of her pain finding a beautiful moment.

This is my most precious possession. It is my heart here I am sharing..
because it is so raw, so personal and so brave this clip. An angel to be in motion.

I am sorry it is sideways but that is how I held my camera and cannot turn it on this blog.

Shelby's song