Larkin Murphy Armstrong born October 4, 2005
3 years. 36 months. 1,095 days. 26, 280 hours. 1,576,800 minutes. Some spent in grief. Some spent in joy. Some spent in tears. Some spent in laughter. Some spent in terror. Some spent in excitement.
All spent in and with boundless, endless love.
Larkin Murphy is probably the world’s youngest teacher and bridge builder. She has united a community to help build a center to support those with special needs. She has shown us that all human beings have value.
I was a wall builder. I had a very good life though traumatic at times and it was through the trauma parts that I learned to build walls around my life and myself in order to shut out those who inflicted harm. Then I had Larkin.
I learned to open myself up through the lessons she brought into my life. I learned that the very best parts of me are my children. Sharing her with the entire community began as a way to deflect those who would talk with pity. I wrote to stop those that would whisper, and inflate my grief. I learned to let go and let God.
Then the walls started to crumble. Larkin’s spirit began to shine through and melt it all away. I began to share her joy, light, spirit, love and yes her battles and the war. I learned to build bridges with her. Sharing our journey brought you all onto the bridge with L and me. Sometimes it sways and scares me but there she is out in front always turning around to hand me yet another board. Chase holds the nails. Andy holds my hand. Our friends and family embrace us and hold us tight so that we do not fall. We all hammer together.
Now many are helping her build the bridge. She has taught us how to take our time, think out the process. To not over- react. Smile through the tears. Laugh through the sorrow and most of all to love and forgive in spite of what we sometimes do and say to one another.
Life is short. Andy and I are in charge of quality. God is in charge of quantity. My friend Tim has a saying at the bottom of his email. Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with that life is our gift to Him.
Thank you God for giving me the very best gifts a mother could have ever wanted. One wrapped one way and the other – well I am still pulling the wrapping off both so while one is blue and one is pink, they both are treasures that I am pleased to have been entrusted with.
Three. Building bridges, teaching and loving. Happy Birthday my beautiful sweet girl. Thank you for taking down my walls and teaching me what true acceptance and love is.
Thank you for being you Larkin – all 47 parts.
Amy, that just gave me chills and tears. Beautiful. When are you writing that book? LOL.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LARKIN!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL LARKIN! We love you!!!!
Beautiful girl. Beautiful post. Happy Birthday dear Larkin!
—Jen
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! Lindsay and I are sending you lots of love and big hugs! Beautiful tribute to your girl Amy! Xox
Happy Birthday, Larkin!!! You have touched our life with many important lessons.
Perfect post, Amy!
We love you all very much!
Happy, Happy Birthday sweet Larkin! I hope you have a wonderful day-now that we’ll be thinking of you and your family today. I hope your birthday is perfect-just like you 🙂
Happy birthday to you from Emlyn and her parents!! We hope it’s the best birthday yet!!
Happy Birthday Sweet
Larkin.We are so thrilled to have found you.A bridge of distance separates us but that very same bridge unites in a place of sameness.Children sent to teach and teach you do little girl.Your mommies unselfish sharing of you and your life,each little piece,lends hope to those trailing behind you on their very own journey.Enjoy many magical moments today little one.Fill them with joy and laughter …. a bit of cake would be good too!
Happy Birthday sweet girl. You are truly a gift to all of us. I hope the year to come will be filled with much magic and many lessons for you, and all those whose lives you bless.
Happy Birthday Larkin!!!! Amy once again such beautiful writings! I hope your day was full of many pictures, smiles and laughter hugs always,
The Bates Family
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LARKIN!!!! Just hearing about you and knowing your mother have taught me SO much about my own life. I hope you had a WONDERFUL and BLESSED day!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday!! You have a great mom, Miss L!
Happy Birthday, Larkin! May God’s greatness continue to shine through you. Amy, once again, you have inspired with your words. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey.
Holy cow, I’m so behind. Hope it was a super marvelous birthday!!
Happy, Happy Birthday Larkin!