I miss you so much Ella.

You've been on my mind today. I miss you... I have so much to tell you when I see you again! <3

Happy birthday, beautiful girl. Though our faith reminds us we are still connected, we miss being able to see your bright eyes and smiling face. We miss your sarcasm and how you would always keep us in line. We love you.

I just wanted to say I miss you.

Happy 20th birthday Isabella. I carry you with me in everything I do.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, sweet Isabella. We will never forget you and know that you are with us always still. December 4th is such a special day, as it is your birthday and also the anniversary of your Confirmation. I will never forget the joy on your face, the day on which you received the sacrament of Confirmation. You radiated sanctifying grace. You chose St. Maria Goretti as your Confirmation name, which is especially befitting of you given that you are such a model of purity and holiness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of our lives, for helping us through your beautiful example during your time here on earth, and for continuing to help us all and pray for us. I feel beyond blessed by your friendship. You are truly an inspiration to me, my children, and countless people. We miss you so much yet still feel united with you through the Mystical Body of Christ. We love you!     

I miss you. 

Seton Home Study School held their 2022 graduation on Saturday. We were delighted to see the beautiful faces of two of your very best friends, Jackie and Faith, as we watched the ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEiNVRjpKgE&t=2024s. Jackie sent us a video of a part of the ceremony yesterday in which a young lady, Therese Brons, who knew you gave a memorial speech about you. We knew this was coming, as Seton had reached out to us for permission, and we were humbled and extremely touched. Watching it brought forth a whole new level of gratitude for the life you lived, the friends you made, and the souls you touched along the way. We pray you will continue to touch many souls, gathering them, and bringing them to Him. 
https://youtu.be/1b2YHRuwbg4 "The Last Goodbye" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4j_kCQ4f2Q

I don't think there are words to express more aptly who you were, than the following written by your dad this morning. 

"It has been 2 years since Isabella passed away. For 6357 days she chased perfection. She had an internal drive to write the perfect book, draw the perfect drawing, and be the perfect young Catholic girl. If something did not meet her standards, she was done with it. I have never been around a stronger and more bold person in my life. I've had time to reflect alot over the last 2 years. I've concluded that she quietly influenced me to be a better person and cleaner soul from her first day to her last day. We all miss her dearly, but there is comfort in knowing her soul is finally surrounded by perfection." -Dave

Happy 19th birthday, sweet girl. This morning at Mass a friend gave me the words she was receiving over and over again..."Isabella is ecstatically happy." Thank you, Jesus, for that gift.

It's a special day today, dear friend. And one I didn't expect to hit quite so hard. After all, the birthday celebrations you must be receiving right now are so far beyond anything that I can imagine, and I am truly thrilled for you. What an incredible thing to try and picture! That is, if birthdays are celebrated or even existent in Heaven? I don't know, but could there possibly be more to celebrate than what already happens there all the time? What an amazing thought, and a question I look forward to discovering the answer for one day.
And still...I will admit I'm also recalling that conversation we had about grief, about how difficult it can be to process a loss sometimes. How we can think we've worked through it, and then the hurt springs up again, so deep and intense that we wonder how we've continued to function. Well, I'm missing you very much today, Isabella; remembering our conversations, our laughter, and all the sweet 'do-nothing' moments God blessed us with. What a blessing to know you, and to have those memories to look back on. You touched my life in too many ways to count, and I will always thank the Lord for the privilege of calling you my friend.
Your family is in my prayers often, and especially today, as I know they have so many more memories. May they find joy, peace, comfort, strength, and encouragement, even in the midst of the sorrow. How blessed we are by such a loving Father, that He is with us through every hurt and struggle. And to think of celebrating a birthday in His magnificent presence...that's truly the greatest birthday gift I can imagine. I'm happy for you, friend.
Happy 19th birthday, Isabella. <3

Today was a day full of memories...full of grief...but also full of gratitude at the times we shared, Isabella. My mind keeps going back to that day, between the two 'Sophia' performances, when we got to enjoy the beautiful weather together. Just strolling the sidewalks, sometimes carrying on a conversation, and other times walking in comfortable and silent observation. I greatly enjoyed those hours with you at the time, and now I treasure them even more. Even though it's been two years since then, I can still remember what we talked about, where we walked, where we stopped and rested, your smile, and the sweet and sensitive way you explained that you would rather not have the company of a lot of people right then, but that you'd be glad to be with just one person for a while. I'm so blessed to have been that person.

I miss you, Isabella. I miss our chats about anything and everything - but sooner or later they all turned into writing conversations. I miss reading your excerpts and gushing about your stories with you. I miss acting with you (you were a fantastic "sister"), walking with you, and laughing with you. I miss that video call that you thought I started, I thought you started, and really it must have been God. I miss discussing how we were both going to autograph one another's novels after they were published (I'm publishing mine soon, and I can't stop thinking about you and how you offered to help me with the process). I miss your quiet and fun, sweet and caring, thoughtful and wise personality. I miss emailing you every Sunday, and texting you so much in between. I miss your smile that was like a sunbeam through any dark situation. I miss you so much.

And yet, I also rejoice for you because you're exactly where you most wanted to be - in the presence of our Savior. No matter how much I miss you here, it brings me so much joy to think of you walking, smiling, laughing, talking, and writing with Jesus Himself. Free of pain. Free of grief. Free of all the suffering you endured while on Earth. I look forward to being reunited with you again some day, friend. And until then, I will continue to remember you, and all the ways you have touched and changed my life for the better. Thank you for being such a beacon of Christ's light and love to me. I'm blessed and honored to have been your friend. See you soon.

With Love,
Esther

I offered my Mass for you today - can't stop thinking about your beautiful smile.

Thanks, Isabella, for your prayers. The young man who was in the freezing water from a snowmobile accident has now recovered. His mother sent a picture of him looking very happy and showing his hands, which have healed.
A little part of each "pinkie" had been amputated, but he still has the use of all ten fingers!

Happy Holy Week, Miss Isabella! I started this yesterday, and that cheerful first line was the tone of my feelings. Today the sun shines, and I am incredibly grateful for that, because I need the sunshine. My mood is a bit more solemn though. Today Tate died. You finally will meet him face to face. I suspect you've met him already, but now he meets you. I'm tired of dipg shattering hearts. 
Back to Holy Week. This has always been one of my favorite weeks, and I know one of yours too. I think of all the years past and all of the wonderful memories we made. I think of how last year, Fr. Alex and Bishop Hying, made it possible for you to attend the Palm Sunday Vigil Mass, which became your last Mass in person, due to the covid shut down. I knew it would be your last, and that hurt. I know you wanted a healing. You got one, just not where we were hoping. Now you are always celebrating Mass! Things are still a little messed up due to covid. I'm tired of that too. Daddy and I plan to switch things up a bit this year to remember you on your favorite of our Holy Week Traditions. We won't be able to go inside the 7 churches for adoration, but we can still visit outside of 7 churches and this year, we'll be adding a stop to bring you a little something too. We could never forget you on that night. I hope and imagine this will be your best Holy Week ever. I pray we will feel His grace, as we need it so much right now. Love you, sweet girl. 

The young man (21) of the snowmobile accident has lost one part of his pinky on one hand; he is in a lot of pain. It seems that he will recover, thank God, and thanks to Isabella for her prayers. He is back home now.

Thank you, Isabella, the writing went smoothly and was published. Now I ask you to intercede for a young man who is in danger of losing fingers and toes from a snowmobile accident in freezing water.

Bridget wrote about, "the cardinals from Isabella" for a McKean family newsletter. She wanted to let people know who Isabella was to her and I wanted to share it. Here is what she wrote.....

"In the last issue, my story mentioned that I “asked Isabella” to send me cardinals. Some of you were probably a little confused about who she is. Isabella was my role model - a seventeen year old homeschooler who was like a big sister to me. In the Spring of 2019, she was diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer. She passed away last April. I loved her so much, and it made me sad, but I know Jesus called her home for a reason."

Isabella,
I ask you to help me in a special project I am writing, which I would finish before Christmas

ISABELLA ROSE
Eighteen years ago today, you came into our lives, making us grandparents for the first time. We were so excited to meet you and you did not disappoint!! A perfect, beautiful and precious gift from God, we are so blessed. Enjoy some white cupcakes and ice cream with M&M's today We love and miss you so very much, you are always on our minds and forever in our hearts!
     HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!

I miss you, dear heart. I miss you so much. I wish I could talk to you every day like we used to. I wish I could come over to your house again. I wish we could talk on the phone again. I want to hear your voice again. I want to see you smile and laugh again. I miss our conversations about nothing. I miss when you would ask me, "What are you thinking?" I miss admonishing each other for apologizing. I miss giving each other lessons in writing and acting. I miss the 'bumpkin' running gag. I miss you slowly poring over my behaviors and trying to figure out what personality type I am. ;) I miss sending each other gifs over hangouts. I took you for granted. Even when you were sick I did. I was so selfish. I didn't take advantage of the honor and privilege I had in our friendship. I can't forgive myself for that. I'm so sorry. I wish I was a better friend. I always pray for you. I miss you. I was reading through some of our old conversations. Man, we had fun. I miss having fun with you. You were so fun...It's been so long. I hope Heaven is great. Anyway: Isabella Rose, I hope this is your happiest birthday ever! You'll always be my best friend, and try as I might, you'll always be older than I am. ;)

I am sending extra prayers and love for Isabella and the entire Auer family, in remembrance of Isabella's birthday coming up on December 4th. She is remembered with much love.

I remember visiting your family long ago when you lived on the Terrell Ridge road and my little Paula and Teresa playing with you. I knew very few in Dubuque then and was very grateful to have your mother welcome me kindly. I recall your mother once giving you a time out on a couch for some minor thing and your immediate obedience and was amazed at both of you. I have fond memories of every 'All Saints day' gathering since when we got to see the wonderful costumes your mother and you co-created together and enjoyed your hospitality. I noticed how the sewing and creative skills brought your grand-mother, mother and you together and was amazed once again at how special it was and how you worked sweetly all-together. Your love for beautiful, modest clothing always made me admire your virtue. You provided a special friendship for my girls that I was so grateful for and the joy they found when they would return after visiting with you at your birthday celebrations. I will always remember with gratitude the special "comfort and care' blanket you left for our family outside our door when my heart was broken after the only parent I knew- my mother passed away. So thoughtful as is typical of your mother and you. Thank you for hearing my prayers as you take them to the Lord on our behalf.  Our hearts are full of gratitude on this Thanksgiving day for the special gift of you and your family to our family!!

Isabella, Your picture is on our refrigerator and every time I look at it the same question pops in my head....Why? You were and are a great role model for my children. Bridget loved you and wanted to be like you from the moment she met you. We have been using your library and through it's use my girls are still being influenced by you, thank you! 
Thank you for your virtue!
And thank you, Misty, for raising such a sweet child!  

One of my memories of sweet Isabella Rose is one time when she was about 4, I was taking care of her. It was time for bed time prayers, so we were saying the prayers and we got to "Oh my Jesus........" I was not Catholic yet and did not know this prayer. Isabella said to me, Granny you SHOULD know it and told me I had better learn it because Jesus wanted me to know it. Soooo the next time I said bed time prayers I knew it Ever the little saint!! Love her and Miss her so much, Always and forever in my heart

Ha,ha, JP! I can still see the twinkle in her eye as you retold that story! She loved all of you boys very much. She especially loved helping you write your stories! Also, you sure have turned into a nice young man...must have been all those extra minutes in the corner! ;) Ha, ha, ha!!!! Love you, Buddy!

Isabella always favored Emeric. For instance, When I was young, Emeric and I would get into fights when she was babysitting. When she found us kicking and punching, she would pull us apart with the help of Gabe. Once it got to be time for punishment Isabella almost always put Emeric in the corner for a few minutes and put me in to the corner for up to a hour and ten minutes.(all the while Gabe would try to get us even corner times) Years later she said she regretted her actions. Now I laugh at this story. I bet she's really laughing at it now. I miss her good sense of humor.

To: Isabella
From: Emeric and JP

Oh, St. Philomena, bring us courage and confidence in our faith. Oh, St. Philomena, please pray that Isabella may become a canonized saint. Amen.

I miss you so much, sweet Ella. Every time I think of you, I offer my grief as a prayer for your soul. I hope you're watching over me dear sister. Love you. <3 

This sweet girl is always going to hold a special place in my heart. There is so much I could say about her, so many special memories I have about her. But for now, since we are so close in time liturgically to All Souls and All Saints Day, I particularly remember her great love for the saints and her vast knowledge of the saints. She was the "go to" person if someone had a question about a particular saint; she always knew the answer! She possessed many "saintly" qualities herself, and I will always remember how, even in the face of her great struggles, she never complained. Not once did I hear her complain about her illness. In contrast, she saw the good that God would bring from it. She was and is a beautiful soul, a shining example to her younger friends in our Catholic and homeschool group, who look up to her so much!

I have read every update since she became ill. God Bless your family.