Big Sister Post
This post is actually to celebrate Tate’s Big Sis, Keira. I’ve had a couple people ask, so I decided to share this here.
Keira gave up a lot this year to come home and be with Tatum. She left LPS in Wisconsin during her Junior year in October knowing Tate was so sick and headed into transplant. These two are close and K wanted every moment she could get with her. The future was uncertain. This journey has taught us all that life is precious and time with those you love is more important than anything the world deems important. It hasn’t been easy. Tate was barely lucid prior to transplant and Visiting restrictions kept K mostly out of the hospital. She didn’t get nearly the time with Tate or I that we would’ve liked and was on her own, at home, often alone, for much of it. She missed friends and sports, prom and all things HS related. But my resilient, driven, hardworking girl created her own path. Hammered out academics online, got her certified nursing license, a full time job and did her best to take care of her dad (when he’d let her,) the dogs, the house, teach Carbon Kids and nursery at church, and support Tate and I through daily messages, FT and phone calls. K is who Tate asks for during her breaking points and she and I have only grown closer despite physical separation. Our love for this girl brings me to tears with gratitude that God loves her more and had this planned for her all along. She is so special to us and all who take the time to get to know her.
She’s headed to college this Fall and even secured a spot on their soccer team (God sure answers specifically sometimes!) We’ve not gotten to celebrate her the way we wanted. We can’t have a big party or open house due to Tates restrictions. We’ve had sweet offers of other parties being held for her but k said it just doesn’t feel right with Tate unable to participate. So here is my attempt to celebrate our girl. Not one minute of this past year has been about her. I want her to know how loved and cherished and “seen” she is for all the right reasons. If you’d like to help celebrate Keira by sending her a card, I know she’d be so tickled. She isn’t really on FB, so it’ll be a bit of a surprise. Thank you for helping us love our girl.
Keira Spiegelberg
10277 Dogwood St.
Firestone, CO 80504