Waiting...

Artwork by Katie

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Pray and Wait

People smile and say

How are you today

I smile

And say

Fine

Then my smile cracks

Like a mirror

For I am lying

My little girl is sick

And there is nothing

I can do

But wait

And pray

Pray

And

Wait

For the day to come

When we can say

Cancer free

She is so brave

And smart

And lovely

I feel useless

And stupid

Until at night

She hugs me

And says

Oh my sweet mommy

Then I know

Why I am here

for katie by mom

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"Christmas in Heaven"

Sissy and Katie - Christmas 1995

I found a poem on the internet and am not sure who wrote it. Different websites give credit to different sources; some say a boy named Ben and others cite a teenage girl. Whoever wrote it, God bless them. It gives me comfort each year at Christmas time.

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"I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus This Year"

I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below
With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars
Reflecting on the snow

The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away the tear
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year

I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can't compare
With the Christmas choir up here

I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description
To hear the angels sing

I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away
We really aren't apart

So be happy for me, dear ones
You know I hold you dear
And be glad I'm spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year

I sent you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above
I sent you each a memory
Of my undying love

After all love is a gift
More precious than pure gold
It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told

Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do
For I can't count the blessing or love
He has for each of you

So have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear
Remember, I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year

Author Unknown

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Did You Know?

I am listening to the Christmas CD that Todd Agnew (and friends) released a couple of years ago. Every song is so incredibly uplifting. Of course, anything that is poignant, sweet, or melancholy reminds me of my Kate-Kate.

My favorite song is "Did You Know" which asks Jesus:

Did You know?
Did the cross cast its shadow o'er your cradle?
Did You know?
Did You shudder each time Your hammer struck a nail?
Did you know?
How much heaven and how much earth
Were in this baby at His birth?
Did you know? Or did you wonder?

Amazing song ...

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Fight to Win

Katie laughing - age 5

Today I saw a public service announcement for awareness of Hodgkin's disease. It was made in memory of a young lady named Alese Coco, who fought the battle but succumbed two years ago.

The first time I saw the PSA, I was horrified - it seemed like the advertisers were using the "shock value" to get the message across. After watching several times, I finally reached an understanding that sometimes people have to be stunned into action and awareness.

Whatever works to raise money to save lives. Like the smiling, laughing happy girl above who battled a different cancer.

If you have a box of Kleenex handy, watch this PSA for fight2win.org.

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