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. ❤️






10 comments:

  1. Dear Lauren, I found a short story about your family and your blog almost 5 years ago digging through the press in my home country, Spain, and somehow it got my attention and so I clicked and read your story. I absolutely fell in love with that little sweet face, so full of life, full of innocence, and over the years I've kept coming eventually eagerly looking for the post where you would announce she was totally cured. I just couldn't forget about her. It didn't matter how many months went through, something would remind me on my head that I had to check on her as if she were part of my own family.
    Last Saturday, my heart broke into pieces when I logged into Instagram and the first picture that showed up was hers. I knew exactly, without even reading the words below, what that meant. "Life is not fair" was my first thought. No one should go through this, specially children. No matter how great our Faith is, a part of ourselves will never understand it so we just need to BELIEVE this life is just a way to get to the other one. Those souls who leave prematurally are definitely more pure and so they belong there sooner. Please, keep finding comfort on that huge Faith of yours. This life will still give you and your family many many joys, of that I'm sure. Sending you lots of love from Madrid, Nieves <3

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  2. Hammersley family, I came across your blog years ago by accident and have followed Hazel's journey ever since. I am so very sorry for your loss. You have loved your daughter well, and I know she is joyful, happy and pain free now. My prayers are with you.

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  3. God bless your beautiful family may he bring peace and comfort in these difficult times. Your Daughter was an inspiration to many of us she fought hard . She is now with many other children looking down on us smiling and playing.

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  4. No words can comfort you but knowing we are here lifting you up will help. I too have lost my child so I know the darkness yet continue to walk in the light.
    Hazel changed my life long before my own loss, that is a blessing. Your faith has held me up, just know I am here and will continue to pray for the strength to walk in the days, weeks and years to come.

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  5. Dear sweet Hammersley family, I write this with tears in my eyes, both of sadness and of joy. Sadness that Hazel is not with you in your arms and joy that she is dancing cancer free. I cannot begin to imagine what your family is going through but always know that so many of us are praying for you!

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  6. There are no words, only prayers for His peace to wrap around all of you. Thank you for sharing your angel's journey with all of us. I'm abetter person, having read about Hazel's bravery and strength.

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  7. I came to follow Hazel's story when I read an article about a little girl with cancer in the hospital who had asked people to send her pizza. From that moment on I followed Hazel's story on this blog and on the facebook group. Words cannot express my most heartfelt condolences for the loss of sweet Hazel. Sending love to the Hammersley family! My heart breaks for all of you. Thank you for sharing Hazel's journey with us.

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  8. I've been following Hazel's story via a friend's timeline, and was saddened by her passing. I didn't know anything about her or her family, nor did I know they were from a neighboring community. I just cared about Hazel, and thought a lot about her, and other children in her condition. I will never forget her, and I am sending caring and healing thoughts to her family and friends.

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  9. Fly High My Sweet Angel HAZEL, Fly High With My Sister Angel MICHELLE, Fly High With All The Angels !

    https://ourlittlehazelnut.blogspot.com/2018/04/our-little-hazelnut.html

    We Are Praying For Your Family And For All The People Who Love You Princess HAZEL.
    ❤️��❤️ We Will Always Love You HAZEL, I Will Always Love You Princess HAZEL ! ❤️��❤️

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  10. Dear Hammersley family. Your beautiful daughter made such a huge impact in my life. Hazel opened my heart to love deeper , my mind too truly listen , and my soul to more compassion. She fought long and hard and now she can rest and be free, she’s earned it. Your grief although profound , I pray you find peace in knowing she’s healed and safe and one day you will be together again. I hope you feel all the love and prayers being sent too you all. R.I.P Hazelnut!! ❤️����

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