The Molly Connection

Molly never met or even talked to Savannah Angel.  She did see all the pictures I plastered on Facebook, like any self-respecting grandmother worth her salt would do.  And she instantly responded when she heard about the physical challenges Savannah was facing.  Like Savannah, Molly was born with a congenital defect, although Savannah's is a Chiari Malformation, which is neurological, and not intestinal like Molly's Hirshprungs Disease.  But Molly knew from personal experience what it was like for Savanah to have 7 major surgeries and extended PICU/hospital stays before the age of 3.  Molly understood what it was like for Savannah to be "different" - and to have a life that was not like the lives of other kids she knew.  She had also seen how hard it was to be the mother (or grandmother) of a child who was chronically and sometimes critically ill - to watch them hover at the gateway to the next world and not be sure how long they would stay here this time around. 

No matter what was going on in Molly's life or what tremendous challenges she was facing personally, when we connected - she would always ask about Savannah and want to know what was going on with her.  She would ask about me too and how "Mawney" (my grandkid's name for me) was holding up.  And Savannah knew Molly as well, because her Mom and I told her about the bright and brave young woman who understood, and was sending her love and good thoughts.  Two incredibly powerful spirits, connected by a common thread of living every inch and ounce of life full-out, no matter what!!

In June of 2013, after only a brief 24 years on this planet, Molly's body had finally had all it could take, and she made her transition. We talked to Savannah about Molly's spirit still being with us, and about her being a special angel now.  Being only 3 at the time, and not really understanding the concept of death, Savannah just accepted what we said.  She was sad - and then she  moved on, as young children are blessed to do.  She was just too young to linger on it.

About a week after Molly passed, my daughter was in the car with Savannah.  Molly had not been mentioned for several days, but out of the blue this tiny, wise and connected child said, 

"Mommy, that angel is here."

"What angel?" my daughter asked.

Savannah replied, " You know - that girl angel."

It was Molly.

When my daughter told me the story, tears filled my eyes.  Molly's Facebook page sat unused - the little chatbox with her name no longer popped open  - and there were no late-night talks about school or her job or her boyfriend or her new hair color.  But she was still watching over my sweet granddaughter.  She has continued to be with Savannah through more than a dozen major surgeries now. And I know that whether Molly is just hanging out in Nirvana with the horses and Lila, her Great Dane, or she has chosen another exciting journey to take, her spirit will find the time to be with my granddaughter when she needs her. That's just who Molly is... and her HUGE spirit is way to big for a little thing like death to stop her!

I don't actually believe we become angels when we die.  That was just the easiest way to explain it to a young child, who I call my "Angel Girl."  But if Molly comes to Savannah in the form of an angel - who am I to argue with that?  I do believe that after our physical bodies are gone, a part of us remains with those we love and have shared our lives with, and we can still connect with them in different ways when we allow it to happen.  It's not something mystical or magical… but then again, maybe it is.  It's the mystical magical power of love…and when it's real, it lasts forever!

 

For more of Molly's story go to August 2013

"24 Years and 7 Months"

https://undissolved.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-poem-below-was-written-by-my-dear.html