Teegan's

[Sarah O'Neal]

I have never posted "My story".

For those of you on the family side, you may not know me. For those of you on the photo side you might.

I, unfortunately, frequent both sides of the board. My first session was my own daughter. Teegan was born on August 2, 2004. December 11, 2006 we woke up and hysterically found that she had passed away in the night. She had a sypmtomless case of RSV. A slight cough, no loss of appetite, no lethargy. We went to a family get together that day. She took a 15 minute nap. She ate pizza, bananas, brownies and applesauce. She took a bath. I read her 8 stories that night. She fell asleep at 7 and me moved her to our bed at 11, in case her cough worsened.

Apparently the RSV had overtaken her lungs so fast she had a respiratory seizure, and then cardiac arrest. That is supposed to make us feel better.

I had learned so much from the other families on this board. Being a photographer I was adamant that while I had the blessing of having two years of photographs and life, I still wanted more. I was insistent that I take her last portraits.

Her laugh was infectious, her motions non-stop, and her brain was nothing short of genius:rolleyes: . The healthiest, youngest and only girl was spoiled rotten. She cheered her twin brothers on in baseball and had a team of brothers she adopted on every team they were on. She laughed hysterically at her other brother Hank and his dancing abilities. It has taken me some time to post her slideshow on this board. I finally decided that if it weren't for the slideshows that I have already seen, I wouldn't have done this one.

[Sarah O'Neal]

http://www.nowisleep.com/Slideshows/Teegan.exe

[Shelly]

WOW, Sarah...I am speechless! The courage, the beauty and LOVE as well as the despair in your slideshow are almost tangible! Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful family. Again, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Teegan.

[Estrella]

Beautiful...I, too am speechless. I am crying tears for you and your family. My heart goes out to you all. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you, and may Teegan's spirit always live on.

-Estrella-

[linda]

Sarah, you are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing your family and Teegan's life with us! She is the most beautiful young lady I have ever seen. I am praying for you during this time and forever each Christmas. I will never forget her especially during the Holidays. Thinking of you!

[jaiew]

speachless! that was beautiful. she is such a beautiful little girl and you can see the love that surrounded her. she is with you every day looking over you and the rest of the family.

[Cheryl Haggard]

Sarah,
I watched Teegan's slideshow last night right after you posted it...
I couldn't write anything afterwards...I went straight to my children, and hugged and kissed them as they were sleeping. Then asked God, to deliver my kisses and hugs to Maddux, Teegan and all the other babies...Thank you for sharing Teegan with all of us here. We all must count every moment with our children as a blessing and never take that for granted.
You are an amazing woman and mother.

[Tina Gunn]

Thank You for sharing.... If I had more words I would type them ... Just Thank You....

[Tricia Hackney]

Although we've never met, I've thought about your family so often over the past several months. Sometimes, Teegan's name just flits through my mind just like a little butterfly and I stop to pray for you all. God Bless and be with you

[asquad]

amazing.........miss sarah........absolutely uh-may-zing!!!!!!!!! You hit the nail on the head with this beautiful work of love. i could see your pain in you and your family's pics----in their faces, i could FEEL your pain in your pics. i sooooooooooo remember this same pain holding aaron. it was just disbelief. i remember thinking "this just can't be happening to us AGAIN???????????" why or why oh why........it just took me back to last april seeing the pics of the service at the memory place. seeing the boys breaking down, feeling the casket, getting hugs from friends and family. girl, i am so sorry for your loss. i wish i could meet and just hold you. THANK YOU! for sharing this heartfelt work of love. i am truly moved.

XOXOXO to you........kudos to you!
Penny

[Sarah O'Neal]

Cheryl, I thought you had seen it before.
You shouldn't thank me, if it hadn't been for you...and the other families and their stories, I am postive this would have been even harder. Your site gave me the strength and the knowledge to do some things at her service that I would have never even thought of.



Sarah,
I watched Teegan's slideshow last night right after you posted it...
I couldn't write anything afterwards...I went straight to my children, and hugged and kissed them as they were sleeping. Then asked God, to deliver my kisses and hugs to Maddux, Teegan and all the other babies...Thank you for sharing Teegan with all of us here. We all must count every moment with our children as a blessing and never take that for granted.
You are an amazing woman and mother.

[Tasha Nicholls]

Although we've never met, I've thought about your family so often over the past several months. Sometimes, Teegan's name just flits through my mind just like a little butterfly and I stop to pray for you all. God Bless and be with you

I totally agree with this. You, Teegan, and the rest of your family have made a permanent impression on my mind and will never be forgotten. I can't even begin to tell you how many tears have been shed for you and your family. I hope you are doing as well as possible and wish you the best in all that you do.

*HUGS*

[Cathy]

she is so beautiful
That slide show was amazing

[Aurora]

Wow, I made the journey to my office to watch it on my pc. That is I think the most incredible and yet also the hardest for me to watch slideshow that I have seen. You sure had a beautiful service and you have made a really amazing slidshow of your last time with your beautiful angel. My heart just breaks for you and I really don't have the words, every inch of my being aches for your loss. If I could reach thru the screen and hug you I would. Your family obviously has an incredible amount of love it is apparent, again I really just think you are amazing that must have taken a great deal of strength to put together, more than I can imaine I would posess.

*hugs*

[Brooke]

Hi Sarah,

Wow, just amazing!!! I don't even know what to say. I think I made it 20 seconds into the slideshow and was crying. Life can be so cruel and unfair!!! You did an amazing job sharing your precious daughter with us all here. Thanks for sharing. I know that must have been hard to do. So thank you once again. I am hoping that you are finding healing in sharing Teegan's story and slide show with us all here.

Love,
Brooke-Mommy to Carter, Ethan, & Angel Emma

[carissa13]

Sarah, well most would laugh at me if I said I was speechless but I had to walk away, wipe away my tears and find myself before I could respond to that. Thank you so much for sharing your slide show with us, it was absolutely wonderful. I to do not know you but find myself thinking of you from time to time wondering what your story is. My heart breaks for you and your family. I must say it was when I seen your twin boys holding Teegan that sent me over the edge. They looked so sad, you all looked sad but it's different when the sadness comes from a child, at least for me. I was watching your slideshow and my daughter had to turn around to see what I was crying about because all of a sudden when I seen your boys I was sobbing. You have a great family and Teegan is beautiful. My God bless you and your family.

[Tammy Councilman]

Oh Sarah.....I don't have any words.....I'm just so sorry....God life is so unfair....I can't stop crying...I'm so sorry...

[Lindzy Foster]

Sarah that was beautiful, it broke my heart and brought me to tears, she is so amazingly beautiful....i am at a loss for words right now but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family....
Lindzy

[Hailey's Mommy]

Sarah,

I am so sorry for your loss. Teegan is so beautiful along with her name. I love your slideshow it is truely amazing.. Thank you for sharing your story with us all.

[Marirosa]

words can't express how moved and simply touched I was by Teegan's slideshow...the love and care ... I just can't even explain it... thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful little girl w/ us here.... God Bless. Marirosa

[Kerry]

I wathced .. I had to show my friends and there was no dry eyes in the room. I was so happy for you to catch all the moments I felt like I was right there. So breath taking and the music went so well with it. Thank you for sharing I hope to be able to go back and take some photos of what i have and use my songs I had at the funeral. The songs I had at my daughers funeral is the most common "Remember Me" and " Godspeed" Whenever I get it done I hope to share it with others also. Thanks for sharing. Your family had so much love for her you couldnt of done it any different.
Kerry
Mother of Olivia,Sarah, Lane and Heavenly Angel Mallory

[Sarah O'Neal]

Have I ever posted the sildeshow of her life?

[Kerry]

I saw the one with her funeral and her pretty outfits and pictures of her and had songs to go along with. IS that the same one or do you have another slideshow that I missed.

Kerry

[JenniferBrown]

I don't think I've seen Teegan's slideshow of her life. I watch her video that you prepared after her passing though and have to say if I can ever come even the slightest bit close to that for a family, I'll be doing ok! You did a BEAUTIFUL job sweetie. I can't wait to see the video of her life. :)

[George]

Sarah,

I'm not strong enough to view the slide show right now, but as soon as I think I can without breaking down, I will definitely take a look.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Estrella]

Sarah, I don't believe you have ever posted the slideshow of Teegan's life...and I would love to see it!

[KimberlyLNobles]

I just watched your slideshow and it is the most painful yet beautiful thing I have ever seen. You are so incredibly strong. Teegan is incredibly beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! It makes me appreciate the little moments. The hugs, the kisses and the tantrums all in one.

Thank you.

[Sarah O'Neal]

I will post it on a new thread and thank you!

[Kathy Schneider]

Sarah,
I just finished watching Teegan's slide show. It was amazing and heartbreaking. I could feel the love you and your family have for Teegan and for the love around you all at her funeral. I am overwelmed with emotion. You see, I lost my little girl at birth but my youngest is about 3 months younger than Teegan. I looked at the little dresses and it made me miss Isabelle even more knowing she would never wear them. I also look at my 3 year old and 5 year and realize they too could be gone at any minute. Thank you for sharing and helping us all realize that life is extremely precious. Hugs

[George]

I finally felt strong enough to watch Teegan's memorial video. Absolutely one of the most beautiful and touching things I've ever seen in my life. I completely lost it several times, including when a brother was hugging the coffin.

[Tim Frechette]

Your daughter radiates beauty, love, and a gift to all who knew her. Thank you for sharing such a delicate moment. As i was viewing your beautiful slide show I kept saying "This is not fair". May God be with you and your family and we wish you hope, love, and healing.


God Bless

[Julie Williams]

Sarah....I can't watch your show tonight for various reasons but I will tomorrow morning.

I just wanted to offer my hugs and prayers. Thank you for sharing her precious life with everyone.

[prestonjohn]

First I am so sorry for your loss,,,next that slideshow was so amazing,, I feel like I was there, as I sit here bawling, Teegan was so beautiful, even in death she looked like a beautiful doll, I was so unaware that rsv was deadly at that age,,i thought it was deadly in infants, so has me nervous now,,your work is truley amazing, again i am so sorry,, but to know that, that little one is watching over you is so comforting im sure.

[Fisher66]

That was beautiful! After drying my eyes I immediately went to my children and gave them the biggest hug and kiss and didn't want to let them go! I thought about just yesterday when I was upset with them over the silliest thing and since then have vowed to never sweat the small stuff again and never take a single second for granted! Thank you for sharing your story and your beautiful angel Teegan with us! God bless you and your family!
Jolie

[marybethsmomma]

What a loving and beautiful tribute to your daughter. She is beautiful. I'm still trying to dry my tears.

[Erica Stone]

Sarah -

It's taken me a year to be able to watch this slideshow. I knew it would be emotional and I watched it with my ever-present box of tissues next to me. I haven't been on the forum for a while, but I have been feeling over the past few weeks that I was finally ready to look at it. When I pulled up the thread tonight I was surprised to find that your beautiful Teegan's birthday is tomorrow. I hope you and your family will find something wonderful to celebrate about her life, and I wish you and Teegan a happy birthday.

Much love,
Erica

[Fisher66]

Happy Birthday to your beautiful angel Teegan!

[Kirk Kief]

I know and understand that this is a tough day for you, Sarah. You take good care of yourself, and your family. And, for Teegan:
"Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Teegan,
Happy Birthday to you!"

[Kathy Schneider]

Sarah,
I wish you much love and hugs on today Teegan's 4th birthday. I too understand that today will be hard, but remember how much Teegan loves you and I am sure she will send her special love down today. Take care and I'll be thinking of you today as always. Hugs!

[linda]

Sarah, I can't wait for the day I meet your precious little girl in heaven. She has changed my life forever. I'm praying for you and lifting your family up in prayer!

[momofanangel]

Happy Birthday Teegan!!

[Tammy]

~Happy 4th Birthday Teegan~
Sarah~ thinking of you, your family and that sweet little girl of yours. I know today was rough. Please know we love and care about you very much. I wish I had the right words; all I can say is Im thinking of you and Teegan and I can send you lotsa ((((((HUGE HUGS)))))) :o

[Robyn Guy]

Sarah - the slideshow is beautiful and I am so very sorry for your loss. Both of my kids were in the hospital last Christmas with RSV so your story touches my heart a lot. Happy birthday to your precious angel. Thank you for sharing her life with us.

[DeeDee Ortiz]

OMG, that is the most beautiful thing I have seen in my entire life. God Bless You & your family, and especially precious Teegan.

[Carrie LaFollette]

Wow. The slideshow is incredibly beautiful. I'm sitting hear with tears streaming down my face. What a beautiful way to remember your daughter.

Happy Birthday Sweet Teegan.

[KEA's Mom]

Happy Birthday Teegan. I'm thinking of you Sarah and wishing there was something I could do for you. You're in my thoughts and prayers. When I'm at my saddest, I try to focus on seeing my daughter again someday when it's my time to go and how much we'll have to tell each other and that we'll have eternity to love each other. Hang in there.

[Tanya]

Oh my word..that broke broke my heart. I think my heart burst when I saw your boys holding her. Hugs to you and your family.

[Jessi Hill]

Happy Heavenly Birthday Teegan. (((((HUGS))))) to you Sarah and Family.

[efswsjuly17]

I am typing this reply through tears so if anything is misspelled apologies from the beginning.

I watched your slideshow just now. You have captured so many precisous things Teegan is a beautiful little angel girl. Your family is beautiful. It takes a very strong person to put together such amazing work, it too must have been difficult at times. I praise you on your courage. May God bless you and your family, may He give you the courage and strength to continue your families life long journeys. My thoughts are with you.

Brandy

Mommy to Tanner-12, Cara-10, Bryce-6, and my precious angel girl Emma who sprouted her wings on July 17, 2008

[KNP]

Sarah, I want to tell you, your slideshow was amazingly beautiful. Teegan was such a sweet spirit.

[Jeannie DeSena]

Sarah, I am sending you prayers, compassion, sympathy and a fresh wash of tears. I share Teegan's birthday, August 2. For whatever reason, today is the day I found this thread. If you need a little extra support and prayer today, you have mine.

[Sarah O'Neal]

I just found this...and thank you for your comments...... I still cannout imagine that that little sweet voice will not speak or laugh on this earth again. We miss her so very much....

[heatherlassell]

I just watched your slideshow for the first time and my heart is hurting for your loss. I think I started crying as soon as her beautiful name came on the screen. I bawled through the whole thing. You definately made a touching tribute to your beautiful daughter. My daughter is the same age as Teegan was at her time of passing. I think I am going to go sit in her room for a while once I stop sobbing. I couldn't imagine how you have coped with this but I want to thank you SO much for sharing your slideshow of her. I am off to look for your other slideshow. So beautiful!

[Marcus Momma]

Oh wow.This is the first time I watched the video and I thought I would be tuff and not cry but needless to say I cried like a baby. She was gorgeous. Looked like a lil princess. That is an amazing video.