Festival of Trees time!
If you go, make sure to check out J10.
The last time we made a tree for Festival of Trees for Kenzie was back in 2018. After she passed away, I quietly started collecting little things for a future tree—telling myself every year that “this is the year”… but I could never bring myself to actually do it.
This year, on her 5th Heavenly anniversary, something in my heart said, just do it. And I’m so grateful I listened.
My sweet friends Sharon Newbold and Tamara graciously helped me plan and bring everything together. I didn’t really have a theme—just bears and a bunch of random things I had gathered over the years, hoping one day they would somehow come together for Kenzie. And they did. It turned out more beautiful than I ever imagined. It truly showcased every bit of who Kenzie was.
We love and miss our sweet girl so much. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who showed up to help—there were laughs, tears, and so much love. Kenzie would have absolutely loved it.
And a huge thank-you to Sharon and Tamara for the sweetest surprise gifts—a quilt in Kenzie’s favorite color, teal, with the most precious hearts, and “Love Like Kenzie” aprons. My heart is so full.
Here is here story.
In Loving Memory of Makenzie
Love Like Kenzie Bear Tree
Makenzie was born on December 22, 2005—our beautiful Christmas miracle. From the moment she arrived, she brought light, sweetness, and a quiet strength that would carry her through the hardest battles. In February 2007, everything changed when we learned she had a life-threatening heart defect and needed a transplant to survive. We were life-flighted to Denver Children’s Hospital and spent 26 long days at the Ronald McDonald House, hoping and praying for a miracle.
On May 16, 2007, at just over a year old, that miracle arrived. Makenzie received a new heart—a precious gift made possible by a family experiencing the heartbreak no parent should ever face. Their child’s heart became her chance at life. From that moment forward, we promised to treasure every day we were given.
That gift gave us thirteen beautiful years with her. Makenzie grew up at Primary Children's Hospital as a second home, yet she lived with joy and courage. She took her first steps, started school, made friends, and filled our lives with love and laughter. At six, her Make-A-Wish dream came true when she met Miley Cyrus. On her ten-year heartiversary, we celebrated her donor by going to Disneyland and releasing a balloon in their honor. Without her donor, none of those memories would have been possible.
As she grew older, Makenzie continued to shine. She loved deeply and quietly, always worrying more about others than herself. She made people feel seen and valued. Even during hospital stays, she found happiness in ordinary moments. While intubated in the CICU, unable to speak, she wrote on a whiteboard, “The little things make me happy.” That simple sentence was her spirit—finding joy in places most people overlook.
Eventually, her transplanted heart began to fail. This time she also needed a kidney. She was placed back on the transplant list, and while she was able to wait at home for a time, everything changed when we found her unresponsive. First responders performed CPR for over an hour, giving us another miracle and another year with her.
She spent over 300 days in the hospital waiting for a new heart and kidney. She never stopped hoping. She dreamed of becoming a cardiologist one day so she could help kids like her. Most of all, she wanted to live.
When no organs came, and her body began to shut down, we brought her home to spend her final days surrounded by family. On July 13, 2020, we said pur earthly goodbye to our precious 14-year-old girl.
Makenzie was brave, loving, and full of light. We miss her more than words can ever say, but her legacy lives on in every act of kindness and in every reminder to find joy in small things.
#LoveLikeKenzie #findingjoyinourgrief #holidaysarehard #missmygirlalways #apieceofmyheartisinheaven
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