GlamourCris Makeup: Honored & Privileged to beautify an angel.

On March 25, 2010 my precious 7 year old sister in law Annalee Grace Sullivan joined our heavenly father. Annie suffered an hypoxic-ischemic brain injury secondary to undiagnosed Addison's disease on January 21, 2007, when she was 3 1/2 years old. As a result of the brain injury, she was also diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut seizure disorder. Annie has been suffering for the last 4 years, and it has been hard on everyone. Annie lived a brief, but very full life. She had the most beautiful smile and the biggest bright blue eyes.

Annie's Mother Jean, my Mother in law asked me to help prepare Annie for her memorial, by doing her makeup. It was an honor and privilege to be there with Annie and make her beautiful one last time for all her friends and family to see. To be honest, I was feeling so nervous, scared, overwhelmed, emotional, honored and every other emotion one could possibly feel. The night before I was to do Annie's makeup I didn't sleep a wink. I wanted to make sure that I lived up to the Sullivan's expectations as well as my own, when making Annie look like the angel she is.

I arrived at the funeral home plenty early to mentally prepare and pray that I would be able to handle this. I worked with the embalmer Heather, who normally does the cosmetics for the deceased. She talked me through the process and taught me a lot about the industry. Heather was impressed by my artistic ability and picked my brain as she always wanted to do FX makeup, like I did for movies down in Los Angeles. I too, gathered as much information from her about what she does, as I have always been fascinated and tinkered with the thought of working in her industry.

After 2 hours of learning from each other and beautifying Annie, I felt such relief and fulfillment as Annie looked so beautiful and everyone was going to see her looking like a beautiful princess she once was.

This is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, but I am so proud, honored, blessed and privileged that I was able to give this gift to Annie and the Sullivan's.

We all love you so much Annie. Irene and Baby Belly Bean will always know that they have a sweet, beautiful Aunty Annie who loves them very much. I know that you are full of smiles and giggles, running around heaven, holding Jesus' hand with gorgeous pink flowers in your hair, your big blue eyes sparkling and you are forever watching over all of us.