Here is a snapshot of Falaise from the castle wall:
To drive up to the castle was met with lots of "oo's & ah's" from our Volvo window. To see something in photographs and then to see it in person is rather enchanting for the
kid's eyes and ours as well.
We had heard of this castle because every winter they illustrate the story of Sleeping Beauty throughout the castle rooms. In honor of our sweet Aurea Hope, named after Aurora in Sleeping Beauty - we wanted to be sure and visit to see the story reenacted.
When Aurea Hope died in the fall of 2006, we were wrestling through what to name her to remember her sweet short life. Chris came across Charles Perault's story of La belle au bois dormant. Chris was reading in his study in Tennesssee and stumbled across this part in the story:
This was the note Chris sent out after our sleeping beauty died:
"Like so many parents we know - our little girls are the sweet princesses of our home. Rebekah wants more than anything to be a princess - to have tea and cookies with Cinderella and visit her castle. Her sweet, joyful smile could turn a thousand frowns into bashful grins. Rebekah loves to twirl her dresses, dance, and even wanted to name her little sister 'cinduh-wella."
Today, we have lost our baby princess. And yet we have in us this hope of heaven and the wonderful sovereignty of our God. In our family's loss, we set our hope on Jesus to tenderly care for our sleeping beauty. We have named her Aurea Hope. Like most names, Aurea is linked to many meanings including "golden," "the morning" or "dawn," but has been most associated with "Sleeping Beauty" from Charles Perrault's fairy tale "La Belle au bois dormant" he penned in 1696 long before Disney. As I came upon the following line from the original story, where an angel from the throne of God blesses the little infant princess, I began to weep...."Be assured, King, and be assured Queen, your daughter will not die. However, the princess will fall into a deep sleep. Her sleep will last a hundred years, at the end of which the son of a King will come to awaken her." In this, we simply realize the value of stories to help us connect to a much grander story we are all a part of where redemption and resurrection have the final say over death and loss. Her second name "Hope" reminds us of our hope in Heaven. We will remember her always, and it is with much grief and hope that we celebrate the brief little life of Aurea Hope Blocker and hand her back into the arms of Jesus."
The kids in the tower with the sleeping princess.
Here is a link to the story told throughout the castle today:
At the end of the castle tour - there is a visitor book and I found Chris writing this:
The kid's exiting the castle walls and entering the town of Falaise. We went to the patissier to pick up some yummy treats for our celebration of Thanksgiving in France tomorrow.
Here is a church outside the castle walls.
A statue of William the Conqueror outside the castle. The boys got swords from the gift shop, Halle got a figurine of a princess & Rebekah got a medallion necklace with the emblem for the castle.
We are loving the final colors of fall in each town!!!
A final few stories as we remember our daughter today:
One
morning right after her death, as Ryan was thanking God for our
breakfast, he said, "Thank You God for Aurea and that You know where she
is." As I wiped my tears, a flood of emotions rolled. Immense peace
that our four year old son was blessing us with a truth I needed to
hear, despair and anger in the awareness that I cannot find her, cannot
reach her, and thankfulness for the eyes of a Father who never loses His
children. - Chris
Rebekah Joy at the age of 3 said in her simple, sweet high pitched voice (about 8 months after Aurea died): "Mommy & Daddy - I had a dream about Aurea Hope. She is alive and not dead anymore! But she couldn't play with me because she's in heaven - she's a princess just like me.
Hallelujah Grace was named in honor of her sister - The LORD was gracious and kind to bind up our broken hearts and bring healing to the pain. As we approached the birth of Halle - we didn't know what to name her. Chris was on a run and as he was running began to think about our daughter being born. He came home and said, "I think the only thing I can say after she is born is Praise the LORD - I think we should name her Hallelujah Grace.
**After reading this - Jacob said, "What did I say?" We affirmed him that he was there and very much a part of our family finding healing in the Lord - he was just one & not a whole lot of talking as of yet. He brought lots of his Jacob grins & giggles that was and still is medicine to anyone who hears.
**D-Day post updated with family thoughts.
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