When I first heard we were having a pajama day at school last spring, I thought,” Oh, no! I’m just not going to do that. It’s silly, and none of my pajamas will do.” However, I thought better of it when I heard some of the other teachers were participating. Why not?

I thought about all my pajamas. I used to have some with a picture of a school, but I couldn’t find them. I tried on my animal print pajamas, but they made me look enormous. Finally I settled on my black and red flowered ones with my red Croc shoes. Perfect!

They brightened the day of both students and teachers. Everyone smiled when they saw me. The children waved and told me I was beautiful, one of the few things I miss about teaching now that I have retired.

No one knew the sad story of these pajamas, and I made sure it stayed that way–no need to change those smiles into tears.

When we got the news of Cameron’s death, we packed our bags while in a state of shock. We didn’ know what we were throwing in. Susan was on the phone saying, “Get here! I need you!” When we got there a good friend Amy asked if we had forgotten anything. I realized I had brought nothing to sleep in. She quickly made a trip to J.C. Penney’s and bought me the most beautiful pajamas I had ever seen. I wore them every night for two weeks.

These pajamas had brought me nothing but bad memories until Pajama Day at school redeemed them. I hope when I wear them now that I will think of the smiles on the faces of children, teachers, cafeteria workers, and even bus drivers instead of the unspeakable circumstances that brought them to me.

We had a great celebration for Cameron’s Heaven Day.  On Sunday, a crowd of about 40 met at her gravesite in North Little Rock, AR.  We hugged and cried and laughed.  My dad delivered a message of hope and reminded us that we would all see Cameron again one day.  We launched 3 dozen pink and purple balloons.  They made their way to the sky.

Then we gathered at the home of Darren and Jennifer Bobbitt.  The kids played  and we shared pizza and cake.  We were surrounded by family and friends who love us and wanted to help us remember Cameron. 

Several people gave us books including Carrie Wingert, Mary Beth Benafield, Susan Gill, Ashley Phelps, Kathy James, Jennifer Bobbitt and Kathryn French.  We got some really beautiful books, including some in Spanish!  Cameron would be so proud.

On Monday, our family set out to delivery books to some clinics in Little Rock.  First we went to Arkansas Allergy and Asthma Clinic.  Dr. Missy Graham accepted numerous books on behalf of her patients.  We got to meet several of the staff and take some pictures.

Next we headed over to Little Rock Pediatric Clinic.  We met up with our friends Dr. Chad Rogers and Dr. Cheryl Ahart.  The executive director of Arkansas Reach Out and Read was there to greet us.  We donated a basket full of great books.  We took lots of pictures and I was even able to read to the kids in the waiting room.  It was so sweet.

Finally, we went to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.  We donated books to their child life department.  They help hospitalized children with painful procedures, provided teaching, and have several classrooms and playrooms.  The hospital has had a real facelift since I was last there.  It looks beautiful.  We know these books will be put to good use!

It was inspirational, emotional, happy-sad, and exhausting.  I felt we paid quite a tribute to Cameron and hope that she was smiling down on us from above.  Cameron, three years is just too long for a mother to have to miss her baby.  I don’t know how long I will have to wait to see your beautiful face again.  But I love you dearly and hold you in my heart at all times.  We will never forget you, even for a moment-  my sweet, amazing angel!

P.S.  we will post the pictures soon!

I am so thankful for the loving friends and family God has given me. I am surrounded with support and people keep reminding me that I am loved. It helps, it really does.

I want to say a special thanks to JAB. You are always there for me and I can talk to you so easily. You have become like a real sister to me, and I have come to count on you. Know that I love you and appreciate you.
Also, Mom– you are awesome. I have the best mother ever and I love you so much. Thanks for all you have ever done and continue to do for me, for us. Cameron knew she had the best gr-Ann ma!!!!

Tim and Natalie Carr of Nashville, TN supported the CAB Memorial Fund with a generous donation. We are so grateful for the love and continued support of our wonderful friends. Thanks again, guys!
We love ya!

Thanks to Lisa Garvin, Lee Anne Bryan, and Leigh Ann Travis who made holiday donations to the Cameron Bobbitt Memorial Fund. As a reminder, this endowment supports charities that benefit children and families. Our mission is to help other kids in Cameron’s name. These women are filled with (Delta) love!! Thanks, ladies! I miss you.

I am so grateful to Donna Kirkwood who sent us several classic children’s books in Espanol. Every day I walk into multiple exam rooms in which none of the adults speak English. It will be great for the parents to have reading materials to share with their babies while they are waiting for me. Yeah, yeah, I know. Nobody likes to wait. But it is cold and flu season! I do the best I can.
Anyway, thanks Donna. It has been great to reconnect with you!