Monday, April 2, 2018

Our Little Hazelnut

It has been an incredibly difficult past few days for the Hammersley’s. Lauren is taking some much needed rest so this post is written by Lauren’s friend, Megan. For those of you not on social media Lauren wanted to make sure you were all updated on what has happened these past couple days. You have all been faithfully praying and supporting the Hammersley’s over the past 5 years and we are all so thankful for you.

Friday morning, our sweet Hazel went to be with Jesus. What we thought was pneumonia, was just extensive disease progression, consuming Hazel’s entire left lung and other parts of her body. She was surrounded by her family and siblings and passed peacefully holding her daddy’s hand and resting in her mama’s loving arms. Hazel was either resting quietly, answering questions appropriately or talking of kitties and butterflies right up until the end. When she was ready, she spoke her last word of “good-bye” then she was gone. Her body was tired from 5 years of fighting, but her spirit stayed strong till the end. Hazel has been so abundantly loved and has been such a source of inspiration to all of us. Aren’t we all better because of her?? We are all trying to fumble our way through the days without her. It will take time. Hazel had a tribe of warriors surrounding her and we all feel a deep sense of loss. We selfishly wish she could still be here with us, but know without a doubt she is pain free and full of joy in Jesus’ loving arms. She fought her battle well. No more chemo, no more surgery, no more fevers, no more hospital stays. Enjoy the well deserved rest, sweet Hazel❤️

Even though it has been a long battle the end came so suddenly that we all feel unsure of what to do or how to help. I love that compassion is so natural for all of us, isn’t it? We all see when there is a need, a deep void, and we all have a desire to help fill it and attempt to make it better. If you didn’t you wouldn’t have been following Hazel’s journey this long. The Bible says that our God is a God of compassion and the God of all comfort. We are all made in His image so it’s fitting that we all want to help❤️ For now, please consider donating to Hazel’s fund at: http://www.bumblebeefoundation.org/neuroblastoma-relapse-bees.html
I’m sure more needs will arise, but right now is a time to be still. To grieve. To remember the good times. To begin to heal. Please continue to pray for Aaron and Lauren as they process the loss of their daughter. They have difficult decisions to make and a life to face without Hazel. They will be experiencing a very new and foreign sense of normalcy in their lives in the days to come and it will take time to adjust. I can only imagine how difficult it will all be. Please pray for Micah, Elizabeth, Jonah and Zoey as they process the loss of their sister. They have been incredibly resilient and God has definitely been comforting them in His sweet ways, but I know the road to healing won’t be easy. Thank you again for your love, your support, and your prayers. I know they could not have gone through the last 5 years without every single one of you. Let’s continue to love on the Hammersley’s and lift them up in this difficult time. ❤️