Below are messages that friends and family members have sent and asked me to share.
They are all special rays of Sunshine that I will cherish forever.
_______________________________________________________________________
January 18, 2008
In demonstration of I.A.R. and to remind me to keep things in perspective, My Princess, Kerri Elizabeth shared this with me today. I, in turn, share it with you:
It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake.
Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.
Although the other man could not hear the band – he could see it in his mind ’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words .
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.
She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.
He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.” Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.“Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present .”
____________________________________________________________________
December 25, 2007
Another one of “Our Songs”: You Can’t Lose Me!
Kim,
I think you’re right that your MS has brought us together. I have always said you were my mom even if we aren’t blood. You have been more of a mom to me than you think. I have been blessed to have you in my life. I have been thinking about what you said and I did think of the good in my life. One great thing in my life that takes away all the sorrow and the pain is YOU. You are always there for me and you have made a great difference in my life. When we were sitting on the couch and you said, “I don’t know what I would have done if all of you weren’t in my life”, what you don’t realize is that every day I thank God for giving you to us and every night I pray that you will stay with me and never leave. You are a great person and I am so happy that it was YOU my dad chose for a second wife and a mother to us. Just know that whatever happens you will ALWAYS be in my heart and will ALWAYS be my mom. Thank you for everything…. AND YOU CAN’T lose me!
I love you. Here’s a new song!
Kerri Elizabeth
“You Can’t Lose Me” A little girl, a little small for her age
A little too slow for the field day race
Momma’s waiting at the finish line
And wipes the teardrops from her eyes
She says, “You did just fine honey, that’s okay
“Sometimes life’s just that way
“You’re gonna lose the race from time to time
“But you’re always gonna find“You can’t lose me
“Bet your life
“I am here and I will always be
“Just a wish away
“Wherever you go
“No matter how far
“My love is where you are
“You won’t be lost if you believe
“You can’t lose me”Momma use to say “Girl it won’t be long
‘”Til it’s time to go out on your own
“Chase your dreams find your place in life
“I know you’ll do just fine”
When that day finally came
There were things she needed to but could not say
So I whispered softly as I wiped
The tears from Momma’s eyes“You can’t lose me
“Bet your life
“I am here and I will always be
“Just a wish away
“Wherever I go
“No matter how far
“My love is where you are
“You won’t be lost if you believe
“You can’t lose me”December 5, 2007
From Gordon Sroufe, programming director of WQLN, who kindly reminded me exactly where I work (DUH)! It’s forever been the ringtone of my cell-phone and I can’t believe I didn’t think of this song right away when talking about “Sunny Days”!
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame Street
Come and play
Everything’s A-OK
Friendly neighbors there
That’s where we meet
Can you tell me how to get
How to get to Sesame Street
It’s a magic carpet ride
Every door will open wide
To Happy people like you–
Happy people like
What a beautiful
Sunny Day
Sweepin’ the clouds away
On my way to where the air is sweet
Can you tell me how to get,
How to get to Sesame street…
________________________________________________________________________________________
December 3, 2007
My new “theme song”, now adopted by my girls at the Q! “Sunshine Day!”
_____________________________________________________________________
December 1, 2007
Dear Heavenly Father,In this most Holy of Holy Seasons,
Please provide Kimberly with the warmth and comfort of family, friends and pets.
May all her teardrops be traded for gumdrops.
May the only sparkles that Kimberly sees,
Be the sparkles in the eyes of the cherubs that surround her
And the only sound she hears, the soft wisp of the angel wings that protect and embrace her.
Please give Kimberly the courage to face the millennium against enormous odds.
The work of her hands have already left handprints on our hearts forever;
And the sound of her voice and her laughter, will echo in our minds for eternity.
Your Son, was a Teacher of sorts, Himself, You know.
And we ask His special guidance, protection and love shine upon another teacher, our Kimberly.
In your Omnipotence, please do not leave Kimberly’s side,
Or for one moment leave her alone during the Moonlight Times.
Please let the warmth of Your power, love and mercy, shine down on her in her Sunshine Days.
Kimberly is special and precious.
She asks for little, but deserves much.
She has made a significant difference in peoples’ lives, from sea to shining sea.
Please empower Kimberly to fulfill her mission and to continue her good works.
Kimberly is our star-spangled “angel on earth” who sparkles and glitters every day of her earthly life.
We love her. Please protect her and give her the strength she needs.
We ask this in the name of our cherished Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen God, too, has email.
Respectfully submitted to the Almighty,
Nora and Ray Drexler
_____________________________________________________________________
November 30, 2007
Kerri’s Bubbly Song for Sunshine and Moonlight
Kim,
Here’s a song called Bubbly that I woke up to this morning….. I haven’t been a real fan of this song until now… and yes I am scared but mostly for you…. The thing that bothers me most is that you don’t deserve this…. I feel like it’s not fair… You had cancer and fought it… shouldn’t that be enough…. and it’s more tragic to me because it’s happening to someone I love and someone I will always love….
This song reminds me of me and you… it’s our song in my heart… everytime you feel bad just think of me and you (us) and think of this song…. everytime you hear this song know I am thinking of you and that I love you very much….. Kerri.
I’ve been awake for a while now
You got me feelin like a child now
‘Cause every time I see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place
It starts in my toes
And I crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go
The rain is falling on my window pane
But we are hiding in a safer place
Under covers staying dry and warm
You give me feelings that I adore
It starts in my toes
Make me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you goWhat am I gonna say
When you make me feel this way
And it starts in my toes
Makes me crinkle my nose
Wherever it goes
I always know
That you make me smile
Please stay for a while now
Just take your time
Wherever you go I’ve been asleep for a while now
You tuck me in just like a child now
‘Cause every time you hold me in your arms
I’m comfortable enough to feel your warmthAnd it starts in my soul
And I lose all control
When you kiss my nose
The feelin’ shows
’cause you make me smile baby
Just take your time now
Holdin’ me tightWherever wherever wherever you go
Wherever wherever wherever you gowherever you go
I always know
‘Cause you make me smile
Even just for a while
