Before DIPG ever came into our world, Finley was simply our girl.

 

On May 15, 2018, we received the most precious surprise—a baby girl, our baby sister. Her personality matched her bright red hair: feisty and full of sass from the very beginning. She knew exactly what she wanted, and she usually got just that. As the baby of three, she was adored and loved beyond measure, especially by her big brother and sister.

 

Finley was oh-so-funny, kind, snuggly, a fierce friend, and the bravest girl we have ever known. She loved being with our family and friends. She loved any kind of dance or cheer, she loved her school and her teacher, and she would never miss an opportunity to wrestle with her brother or slow down and play babies or make crafts with her sister. Finley's relationship with her brother and sister was so special. The three of them were born within three and a half years of each other, so there was never a time they remember without one another. She was the perfect mix of the two of them and, somehow, even as the baby, she knew exactly how to love each of them so well while always keeping them in line. She was definitely the boss!

 

Finley was the sweetest, most loyal friend. She had a unique way of showing her friends just how much she loved them, and that is something I will always treasure. She had the most incredible little pack of girlfriends who were so important to her. Whether it was trying a new park or splash pad, joining a new dance class, going to a summer cheer camp, or meeting up at the library, Finley was always up for it. Her easygoing spirit and fun-loving personality will forever live on in our hearts and continue to push us to be better.

 

Before DIPG, she was simply our girl. Our baby. Our little sister. Our daughter. Our friend. She was five years of sunshine, sass, laughter, love, and joy.

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On November 10, 2023, our hearts were shattered when we were told Finley had a brain tumor—not just any tumor, but one with no cure and very limited treatment options.

Earlier that day, we had been at a pumpkin patch for Finley's first field trip as a kindergartener. Of course, I was taking a million pictures to send to Dad and show her big brother and sister. That's when I saw the first sign that something was wrong. The right side of her face had a slight droop, and she just looked a little off. Call it a mother's intuition, but I knew in my gut that something wasn't right. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that it would be a brain tumor.

 

Over the next few weeks and months, we would have countless oncology appointments, hospital stays, lots of tears, and a million unanswered questions.

How could this be? Why us? Why her?

But God.

I could write a book detailing the ways God continued to show up for us during this season. He sent us so many people who filled in the gaps when we couldn't do it ourselves. He surrounded us with love, support, and people who carried us when we didn't have the strength to carry ourselves.

 

On December 11, Finley had a brain biopsy that would give us more information about the specific mutation of her tumor and potentially make her eligible for clinical trials in the future.

Unfortunately, after that surgery, she was never quite herself again. She lost mobility in her right arm and leg. DIPG takes so much from these children, but not their cognitive ability. Finley was very aware of her decline and even of how much her appearance had changed. All of this was so confusing and just downright hard for a vibrant five-year-old to understand. As a family, we decided that quality over quantity was what was most important to us. We prayed for God to give us the best of what we had left with her, and when it was her time, we prayed that it would be peaceful and filled with love.

 

On February 14, 2024, wrapped in her mommy and daddy's arms, our forever Valentine took her last breath here on earth and opened her eyes in the arms of Jesus.

Three months. That's all we got. Three months to try to prepare ourselves for the hardest thing we will ever do in our lifetime—bury a child.

There is now a hard line in our story: the before and the after.

We are still healing, and we will always grieve the loss of our girl, Finley. But we also believe God has a purpose in our story, even in the parts we never would have chosen.

We knew very quickly that we wanted to do something special to honor Finley and to be the hands and feet of Jesus, just as so many people had been for us.

And that's where Friends of Finley came in.

We believe passionately that God walked this road with us so that we would know the way out when He sent us back in for others.

We know what it feels like to receive the phone call that changes everything. We know what it feels like to sit in a hospital room with a million unanswered questions. And now, we have the unique opportunity to walk alongside other families just like ours.

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We are forever grateful for God's trust in allowing us to walk this road and for the generosity of every person who has chosen to walk alongside us. We don't take it lightly.

Finley's story will forever be a part of ours. And now, through Friends of Finley, we hope her story can become part of someone else's hope.

 

With love,

The Miller Family 💜