Some people come into our lives and quickly go.

When my sister made a scrapbook for our daughter Sophia, she used the only sonogram images, photographs, hand and footprints, and hospital bracelets that we had after our young daughter’s death. Today, as we brought the book out to reminisce about the day she born, I was reminded of the poem she included on the very last page. These words, by poet Flavia Weedn, brought tears to our eyes. They are simple, wise, and so true for us all.

Today, we celebrate Sophia’s seventh birthday. We talk of her daily, we think about her often, and we tear up occasionally. Our toddler Evelyn feels the impact as much as we do; she pointed to a picture of my husband and me holding her sister and she said the words, “night night.” While she may not fully understand she had a sister who could not stay, Sophia found a way to imprint on Evelyn too. Sophia is a force of nature, guiding us each step of the way on life’s journey after loss. The footprints she left on our hearts are far bigger than the inky prints we took the day she was born.