Name in the Sand

Several weeks ago I came across a very cool blog. A very talented photographer and fellow bereaved mother lives close to a beach. Upon request she will write your angel baby or child's name in the sand and then takes a beautiful picture. I requested Tess's name be written because I thought it was so cool. I have been waiting several weeks to get that email saying that her name had been done. Yesterday afternoon I checked my email and I had a message with a link to go to. I could view the picture and even purchase a copy. I got out my credit card because I knew it would be gorgeous(I have seen her work on this blog....amazing). The girls were home from school and so I called Avery in and told her I had a surprise for her. I explained to her what we were about to look at and that she was going to think this was so cool. I clicked on the link and there was my baby girl's name written on this exotic beach at twilight. Then I noticed immediately that something didn't look quite right. The photograph was exquisite, but they had misspelled her name. TESSA had been written. Not Tess. Avery immediately burst into tears. She got so upset. How could they have spelled Tess's name wrong? It was the saddest thing. I even got tears in my eyes and I can't really explain why? Avery said that she thought about it all day at school today. I have given Avery's strong reaction a lot of thought. I think that Avery carries Tess and the memory of her close to her heart. Tess is her sister and she wants her to be acknowledged just as she would Scarlett or Saylor. It was an innocent mistake and the photographer doesn't know us or Tess in any way. Avery's nine year old feelings were still crushed that someone would get her sister's name wrong. Tess is important to her and should be to everyone. I knew that Tess's unexpected and sudden death had a profound effect on my girls. Maybe more than I even know.

I emailed the blogger and made her aware of the mistake. She was so apologetic and is going to do a new one for us. Sweet Avery was so relieved when I gave her this information this afternoon. We are anxiously waiting for Tess's name in the sand.