Sad post

I have been putting off writing this for a few days and can't avoid it any more. On Monday evening I got the email below from my sister-in-law in Indiana:

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry that I have to tell you bad news in an email. Chris and Stacie's 8 year old daughter, Lauren, died this morning. She had been released from the hospital into hospice home care about 10 days ago. Lauren died at home with Stacie and the hospice nurse in her room. Today also happens to be Chris' birthday. Stacie did not know what day the memorial would be but I can get that information to you once I find out more. Please pray for their family--Chris, Stacie, Marissa (7) and Sarah (3) as their family mourns and adjusts to life without Lauren. Lauren would have been 9 on June 5th so the next few weeks will be emotional for them. This family has been through so much in the past year with Sarah's cancer diagnosis and now the lose of Lauren. Thank you for showing your love to them.

I first blogged about this family when the baby was diagnosed with cancer last summer. They were already coping with Lauren's medical conditions. Things seem to look up for the family when Sarah's prognosis was good. She is doing well, but now they are coping with the loss of their oldest daughter. From what I understand, they knew this day would come for Lauren. But, knowing death is approaching never makes losing a child easier, I would think. Makes me feel bad for taking my beautiful healthy children for granted.