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Comments (317)

1. Hailey:
   Feb 03, 2013 at 02:10 PM

   Came across this today, thought you might like to read it. It's not a sad story, I promise! Hope you're all having a good day. Hailey
   
   http://mariashriver.com/blog/2013/01/how-long-do-we-grieve-claire-bidwell-smith
2. Natalie:
   Jan 21, 2013 at 07:34 PM

   Thinking about you tonight. Saw this video and made me think of stella. :D
   
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-rqXotdct8
   
   Peace and Love and as always GRATITUDE for sharing your wisdom, your love and your most precious Stella. ((((HUGS))))
   
   Natalie
3. Shauna MacKenzie:
   Jan 12, 2013 at 09:10 PM

   We've sung "Twinkle, Twinkle, Stella Star" during my boys bedtime routine many nights during the past few months. Tonight after a prayer to God to meet his favourite superheroes (boys will be boys!), he ended his prayer with "and Merry Christmas to Stella!". It brought tears to my eyes, and it warmed my heart. I just wanted to share that with you, and say goodnight to you all :)
4. Shauna MacKenzie:
   Jan 01, 2013 at 12:34 AM

   Mishi, Aimee, Sam, Hugo & family - wishing you all a happy new year. Hoping 2013 brings many new experiences, new smiles, new memories and a bright new future for your family. Precious Stella will shine on through the years ahead, and will be with you all every step of the way.
   Take care,
   Shauna
5. myfunniebunnie:
   Dec 18, 2012 at 07:35 PM

   You don't know me and i don't know you (much, though i suppose more than you will ever know me) but i will not forget your beautiful daughter Stella. Not ever. Her beauty and the love that surrounds her will stay with me for all of my life.
6. Hailey:
   Dec 17, 2012 at 03:49 PM

   Aimee & Mishi ...
   
   I've just read Allison's post, and I could NOT have said this better. She said exactly what I'm feeling, so I won't repeat it! I will say, I read your story last year in the Star, I think soon after Stella's diagnosis. When I saw Catherine's article, I knew that Stella was gone. I have 2 little girls, Ruby is 5, and Lilly is almost 3. Since becoming a Mom, I can't watch or read anything sad, so I decided I'd better not read Catherine's article, but then I started ... and now I can't stop, I can't get enough of your little Stella. I know that you wouldn't have wished for any of this for Stella, but I'm wondering if you had ever wished that Stella would have such a profound impact on so many people.
   
   Your story, your love for one another and your children, the awesome support structure from your family and friends, and the love you showed for Stella is unbelievably inspiring. In the past 2 weeks since I've immersed myself in your story, I have already started to spend the time I have with my girls in a more meaningful way, not worrying about the small things, and ensuring that they understand just how much I love and respect them. I'm a better Mom because of Stella and her two Moms!
   
   I hope you are both able to find the strength and peace to go on and live life to the fullest with your wonderful little boys, and I hope you find comfort in the love that everyone, even perfect strangers, have for your beautiful daughter.
   
   Merry Xmas to you. Hailey
7. MIchelle McKnight:
   Dec 16, 2012 at 02:35 PM

   I am getting ready to plan a memorial service for my two and a half year old Sophia. This December 23rd will be one year since she left us.She quietly slipped away while we all slept peacefully. There was no warning,no sickness no chance for hospitals or medication.My friend sent me the link to your website. I haven't stopped crying since I set eyes on your beautiful precious Stella. She reminds me so much of our Sophia, not just in looks, but in your description of a child that was fully alive and full of love. It makes you wonder how we got so lucky to have these beautiful spirits in our lives, even if it was for a short time. I have read a few of your blog posts and feel as if I am reading my own thoughts and feelings. You are so brave for sharing this way. I haven't had the strength, energy or courage to begin anything like this. It is difficult to focus my thoughts on Sophia. The sadness is the kind that could take me down. Thank you for sharing Stella's story in this way. With compassion and love ~Michelle McKnight
8. Katrina :
   Dec 14, 2012 at 11:04 PM

   I have read about your little girl. She is a beautiful soul that has certainly impacted my life. The snippets of her life that I had the priveledge of learning about left me laughing, crying and completely breathless.
   When I have children, I will gladly share chocolate tim bits with them for breakfast- and think of Stella.
   
   May God bless you and your family!
9. Rosa:
   Dec 14, 2012 at 07:22 AM

   Stella was a beautiful little girl who didn't deserve what happened to her. She sounded like so much fun - full of life, attitude and beauty. My heart breaks after reading your story in the Toronto Star - I cried and cried for her and for both of you. I have a daughter who is 3 months younger than your Stella was and the story hits close to home. Words can't express how sorry I am. We should all take Stella's lessons to heart - to love and to live each day being as happy as we can.
10. Allison :
    Dec 13, 2012 at 01:22 PM

    Dear Aimee and Mishi:
    I know you have probably gotten many letters like this one, but I can’t not write it. Of course, I want to start by saying that I am so, so, sorry about Stella. Your story brought tears down my face (and ugly sobs, and the audible repeating of, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry”), for many days. I’m still reeling over what has happened to your family. It’s strange to feel so affected, moved and changed by another family’s suffering. And I suppose, that’s why I feel so inclined to write you today.
    There is actually a logical reason why I have been so affected. I have a little daughter who was born in March 2009, one month before your Stella. She also has red hair and the same “force to be reckoned with” attitude” as Stella. In fact, the very day I read the first story in the Star, about Stella telling someone in daycare: “I don’t like you,” my daughter said the same thing to a girl at nursery school.
    As I read Stella’s story, and I started to cry uncontrollably, something let loose inside me. Your love for your daughter and the tragic way you lost her, brought on a new version of profound love for my own daughter. I realized then that what I had lost with my second child (as I focused more on how to make two children “work”), was the sense of vulnerability that I had when my son came into this world. This new, fresh feeling that came with looking at a little person you love so much and knowing that there is a chance that someday, something bad might happen to him.
    This is a scary feeling and I think that the more children we have, we learn to avoid it as much as possible (how could we possibly get through the day with a feeling so raw). However, I think it is necessary that we submit to this vulnerability, because it is only through this, that we can allow ourselves to experience the in-the-moment joy that comes from having a young person in our life—for however long we can.
    If Stella was able to bring me to this new, more authentic, more loving place, how many other people was she able to touch as well? Probably hundreds, maybe thousands? And that is an impressive impact to have on this earth. How many of us would hope to affect so many people so positively in our lives, and never have the opportunity to? How many of us would be able to raise the vibration of the general population so much, by putting things into perspective so perfectly. I really think that my life is changed since learning about Stella’s joyful spirit. There are many things today that don’t worry me like they used to. What’s the point? Your journey with her showed me that the happiness we want is found in the quiet, peaceful, and sometimes difficult moments. And children like Stella have the ability to go through these difficult struggles without every feeling sorry for themselves, or asking “why me?” or being overwhelmed by the tragedy of the situation. This is in fact, what we should all strive for. A true lesson.
    It was so awful for you to lose your girl, but I just wanted you to know that Stella’s story has had an impact, and that perhaps, this impact is part of the higher plan of her death.
    I really believe that every soul has a purpose for coming to this earth. Some of us come with the intention of living a long, hard life with many hurdles that challenge us over and over. Some of us come with the intention of being parents to little joyful souls that only see the good in life. And some of us, come with the plan of only staying for a short while. Some of us come to experience the joy of being a very young child and seeing the world, and we make our greatest impact on this earth, by leaving it early.
    Thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter and for offering her such compassion in her final days. The world needs more of what you were able to give.
    You and your little girl will be in my thoughts for years to come, maybe forever.
    With best wishes,
    Allison