Isabella Giovanna Rain Hernandez

Isabella Giovanna Rain Hernandez was born on June 26th, 2003, but it wasn’t until March 13th (just three days ago) that our beautiful baby girl took her first steps. For the first time, Bella (as she was known to us) ran…. she giggled, she played, she twirled around in all the pretty dresses her mommy always put her in, she tapped her toes and fed herself and she probably even through a fit. When she got to heavens gate, she was greeted by her sister Ashley, her aunt Cordelia, her cousin Dominic and all the other angels that have gone before her. We find comfort in the fact that Conner (another child that died from this dreaded disease) came for her exactly one year ago to the day that he lost his battle to Sandhoff’s. The parents of these children call it, “the day they got their wings”. Well, Bella got her wings, she’s free to fly!!

Let me tell you a little bit about Isabella. Since the very first day she was born, we all knew that Bella was special. What we did not know, was how special. That was to come later. As the months started to go by, it became apparent that Bella may have some kind of handicap. This only reassured Connie and Robert that they would have to love her more, and this they did with all they had in their hearts.

It was in the fall of 2004 that we received the news that Bella was possibly blind, although this was horrible news, Connie and Robert knew that Bella would see the world through their eyes, she would not want for sight, for she would see all things beautiful through them. Well, still that was not to be the worst of it. This child was destined to teach us all a lesson, which, for me, was a true appreciation for all that the good Lord can give us, and so quickly take away. Just a few more months passed by and Bella was diagnosed with Sandhoff’s disease, this is when we knew we would not have her with us long. So Connie and Robert went on a mission. They were going to let Bella experience all that they could in the short time that she had left. They took her swimming, camping, swinging in the park, once she almost got to ride on a boat. Did I mention that Bella was the most photographed child in Colorado? Connie had pictures of Bella taken every month of her precious life. She did this before she even knew about Bella’s illness.” Things happen for a reason”?

Bella was taken from us entirely too soon, but in the short time she was here, she taught each and every one of us what true will and determination was all about. And we saw what unconditional love was through her parents, Connie and Robert. They were relentless in their desire to show Bella love, compassion, comfort and dignity, not only her entire life, but especially in those precious last hours. We saw the selflessness of a mother that loved her child enough to let the Good Lord take her when he came a calling. We saw the love a man that held the mother of his child and comforted her even when his own heart was breaking.

Now, Bella is in heaven and today we are not here to weep for ourselves, we are here to celebrate the beginning of Bella’s new life, the one that allows her to dance and skip; to smell the flowers; to hear the birds chirp; to feel the warmth of the sun; and to see the brightness of the moon and to wish upon a shooting star. Right now, Bella is having conversations with the other angels in heaven and she’s telling them how lucky she was to have had so much love while she was lent to all of us. Connie and Robert must know that someday they will see Bella again, in all her wonder. And that although they were blessed to have been the chosen ones for Bella, it was truly Bella that was Blessed to have been the chosen one for them…

Good Night Beautiful Girl, Sweet Dreams!!!