06/12/08
Another wish from Tricia LaVoice...
For You, I Wish Your Sunshine
by: Tricia LaVoice
Like the bright yellow bloom of a Sunflower, people gravitate to those with the sun in their eyes, following the brightness of their smiles, and the warmth in their hearts. You were once the sunshine in so many people’s lives, the one who’s vigor and laughter cast brightness in the day. But a total eclipse of tragedy has stolen your light and you are left standing alone in your darkness. Where have those who basked in your radiance gone? You seek comfort and compassion, but find abandonment. Yes, some are selfish, but most are kind and gentle lost for direction and words. They fear speaking incorrectly so they do not speak at all. Take my hand and together we can teach that it is okay to talk about it, it is okay to stand in silence as long as one is standing nearby and mostly, that those in despair are to be loved, not feared. For you, my broken hearted friend, I wish you feel the love that surrounds you while knowing we all wait patiently for the return of the brightness in your smile and the sunshine in your eyes, no matter how long it takes.
06/11/08
Another wish from Tricia LaVoice...
For You, I Wish the Sky in Me
by:Tricia LaVoice
Behind every cloudy sky rests the bright sun and behind every foggy evening remains a sky bursting with stars. Although they are masked by nature’s temperament they are always there standing still for the world they dazzle. Their love and loyalty remain intact day after day, night after night… When we begun our lives together we could not foresee the challenges that would come our way, we could not predict the changes life would bring. Sadly, we have let fog alter our atmosphere, clouds mask our skies Look at me standing here, I may be hard to see but behind life’s temperament I am still. I am still the one who dazzled your world, whose sun brightened your days. I love you and remain loyal to you day after day, night after night. For you, I wish you to see the sky in me. Although once clearer, I am still here shining for you.
06/11/08
One of the strongest weapons we have in our fight against Alzheimer's comes in the form of a sweet, powerful woman named Kate Edelman Johnson, who lost her husband to the thief of memories and she has since started the Dean F. Johnson Research Foundation to find cures. I've always admired Kate's commitment. When she got the news of my mother's passing, she sent me a beautiful quote by Emerson saying that Mom left the world immensely better. That made my heart smile and I share it here with you. Thank you Kate...
"To Leave the world a bit better...
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.
To know that even one life
has breathed easier because you have lived...
This is to have succeeded!"- Ralph Waldo Emerson
06/10/08
Words are powerful. They can be so comforting and healing...especially when sent by friends with such pure love and intention. This one comes from my friend Kristin Firrell who works with Paul Mitchell School Systems. She is one of those "mothers and shakers" who always impresses and inspires me. The words may be anonymous but they are universal and personal. Thanks Kristin for being my friend...
When the warmth of the sun touches my face,
I see your smile and feel your embrace.I hear the whisper of love in the wind
And I know that you are close to me againThe rain speaks of tears and the thunder of pain,
But soon the sun comes the earth to reclaim.As the days come and go and the world moves on,
I know you're still here, you'll never be gone.On the night the Angel came and took your hand,
We cried as you left for an unknown land.But Heaven rejoiced as you came into sight,
For your soul was a diamond, shining so bright!
06/09/08
My sweet daddy wrote this beautiful and moving poem after my mother's passing...
Jean Never Got To See
She never got to see Troy grow so tall
Or Nathan as he pitched and threw the ball.
Jean never got to see how Lexi and Kelly could sing
And the good grades from Winthrop Taylor would bring.
She never got to see Blake’s tree house
Or play hide and seek like a cat and a mouse.
She never got to enjoy the Golden Years
Because Alzheimer’s brought her sorrow and tears.
She never got to see Blake’s first walk
Or hear him say he loved JG when he learned to talk.
She never got to see Carlos and Anne Marie’s new home
Nor hear the chorus sing I Come to the Garden Alone.
She never got to see The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation
That Leeza promised to work for with fervent persuasion.
She never got to see how Cammy cared for me
And how she worked as hard as the honey bee.
She never got to see strangers who were a friend
When the final trumpet sounded and it was the end.
She never got to see the beautiful spring day
That the Grand Master of the Universe called her away.Carlos W. Gibbons
May 29, 2008
06/27/08
I continue to be moved to tears by all of the supportive cards, letters and emails we have received after my mother's passing. It is so validating to see how much she touched the lives of others with her courage. All of the notes are meaningful, but this one really got to me. It's from a six year old, Katarina from Illinois. It came via our Leeza Care Advocate, Kathy Miller, from Provena St. Joseph's Leeza's Place in Joliet, IL. Balloons and hearts being released into heaven on behalf of my mother...how sweet is that? God Bless the tender hearts of kids!
