entry 1871
name: Barb Barraco
email:
url:
message:
I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you. Sorry you can't do lunch as we first planned, but let me know if you have time on another Wednesday. I know this holiday season has to be SO difficult on all of you. It must be so hard to make it special for Kylie when you are grieving so deeply for your sweet Leah. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Like you said in your update today, just take it minute by minute....breath by breath if you have to. Love, Barb
date: 11:10 pm - Wednesday,December 7, 2005

entry 1870
name: Teri
email: teri_hayden@yahoo.com
url:
message:
I still praying you through. I heard this song the other day, thought of you when I read the words.....This is not at all how~~~ We thought it was supposed to be~~~ We had so many plans for you~~~ We had so many dreams~~~ And now you've gone away~~~ And left us with the memories of your smile~~~ And nothing we can say~~~ And nothing we can do~~~ Can take away the pain~~~ The pain of losing you, but ... ~~~ We can cry with hope~~~ We can say goodbye with hope~~~ 'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no~~~ And we can grieve with hope~~~ 'Cause we believe with hope~~~ (There's a place by God's grace) ~~~ There's a place where we'll see your face again~~~ We'll see your face again~~~ And never have I known~~~ Anything so hard to understand~~~ And never have I questioned more~~~ The wisdom of God's plan~~~ But through the cloud of tears~~~ I see the Father's smile and say well done~~~ And I imagine you~~~ Where you wanted most to be~~~ Seeing all your dreams come true~~~ 'Cause now you're home~~~ And now you're free, and ... ~~~ We have this hope as an anchor~~~ 'Cause we believe that everything~~~ God promised us is true, so ... ~~~ We wait with hope~~~ And we ache with hope~~~ We hold on with hope~~~ We let go with hope ~~~
date: 4:26 pm - Tuesday,December 6, 2005

entry 1869
name: Stacy
email: smduff2000@yahoo.com
url:
message:
Hi Karen, Phil and Kylie. I am the woman who approached you on Holloween at the mall. I hope it was ok, there were so many things I wanted to say and I couldn't as my emotions got the best of me, the words just wouldn't come out. I just want you (and your family) to know that I (we) think of you everyday, we pray for all of you and keep you close to our hearts. I can't even bear to think of how difficult all of this is for you as a mother, for your family. Everyday must be a struggle. Leah has touched the lives of everyone who has been blessed by knowing her. My daughter Hailey was in the CCD program at St. Collette's with Kylie this summer. She would love to have a play date, does Kylie like Libby Lu? If your comfortable, email me and we can arrange something fun for the girls! May God wrap his love around you this christmas, the rest of us are- HUGS!
date: 4:24 pm - Tuesday,December 6, 2005

entry 1868
name: Brooke Cioma
email:
url:
message:
Karen, I think of you guys so often. It was so nice to spend time with Kylie after the shower. I really wish I lived closer and could be around more. When I was digging through pictures before the shower I came across some of the girls. Leah had her hair in pigtails and looked so cute and was blowing bubbles. In every picture of her you can see her shy innocence. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for Kylie. And of course if you and Phil need anything I'm just a phonecall and short drive away. Love always, Brooke
date: 11:09 am - Tuesday,December 6, 2005

entry 1867
name: cousin Pam
email:
url:
message:
Hi you guys. I just checked in to see how you were doing today. The winter season is very intense for me and probably for you. It is sooo quiet yet loud with deep thoughts and emotions. Christmas is hard but it is about Jesus' birth so I try to focus so much on that when I am sad about our losses here. Spring and sunshine will come and another day will go by. Just wake up and walk into it, take a breath and march on. I am thinking of you often and wishing you the blessing of good sleeping and health for yourselves. Don't forget to have some hot chocolate too. I love you kiddo. I will pray that Kylie can face her pain and move through it carefully to find all the good memories and throw away those yucky ones as soon as possible. Be strong and God Bless You guys. xxoo Pam
date: 9:59 am - Tuesday,December 6, 2005

entry 1866
name: Lynne
email:
url:
message:
Hi Karen, I came across this poem that is dedicated to all who are grieving the loss of a child. It is entitled: Wounded Holidays. Author: Allen Harris Young, they left our homes. In a momemnt, long or quick, they were gone. Dewdrops turned into teardrops, the shining sea too small to hold our grief. "Give us our children back", we pled as we noticed their plateless places at the table Regret made a river through our days, tempering laughter, pervading sudden silences. Bodies they had through us, with us-- bodies houseing minds and souls -- no longer. The holiday season's return makes throb now the wounds we felt at their parting, wounds which may heal in time, we hope, into strength -- but not yet, in this season of snowflakes that sting and cookies that somehow taste of vinegar. "If only", goes our carol. If only they could return to us-- but no. If only we could speak with them -- but no. If only we could love them so intensely that they could feel ourpresence right now -- but yes, yes to this one, a thousand yesses -- they can How can they not feel our love, being core in core with us, heart in heart? We give love this season to them and to each other as plundered parents and wounded healers. With love flowing, something in our lives -- a magnificent, mysterious Something -- guides us like a star.
date: 6:17 pm - Monday,December 5, 2005

entry 1865
name: Lauren
email:
url:
message:
Just sending {{{hugs}}}}... Thinking of you
date: 2:58 pm - Monday,December 5, 2005

entry 1864
name: Janet DAscenzo
email: mrsdtoo@yahoo.com
url:
message:
Hi Karen...I just read all of your latest entries and my heart is breaking for you...again. I know I didn't know Leah very well, but I think about you so often and think you are such a very special mommy to her. It's just amazing to me the memories that you have and the way you can put them down on paper in your journal. I have written down so few things about my boys and I feel like I don't remember much at all. Maybe God gave you that gift because He knew you weren't going to have her long. I cried when I read your list of reasons you miss her. I also cried when I read about Kylie being so sad. I'm so sorry you have to have Christmas without Leah. I'm so supportive of your going away with Phil and Kylie for Christmas...it's really your day to do what the hell you want to do, ya know? I think about you often and still keep Leah's picture on my refridgerator and pray for you, Karen, every time I look at it. She's so beautiful in that picture (the one in the pale pink dress from the website). I have not been around much at school because my house was on the Christmas walk yesterday and it's been nuts around here and now I'm very tired. But I wanted you to know that Leah was on my mind.
date: 10:46 pm - Sunday,December 4, 2005

entry 1863
name: Charlie
email: ceshumaker@comcast.net
url:
message:
Hello Karen -- Just a short note to say hi and Holiday Greetings to you and your family. I just learned that your beautiful little girl Leah had died. I know you must still be in total dispare but I also know you have many wonderful memories that you will retain forever. I can only begin to imagine the pain you and your family are going through as Christmas-time approaches. I do know that you have endured much and know you will also survive this immense loss. Keep your faith and look forward to the great opportunites you have for life with your family. Have a blessed Christmas and I wish you and your family an understanding and peaceful New Year -- May God's blessing be with you. -Charlie
date: 6:02 pm - Saturday,December 3, 2005

entry 1862
name: Lauren
email:
url:
message:
Hi Sweetie... Thinking about Leah today and my Christopher... Today is his 23 rd anniversary of his death. I am hoping that Chris and Leah are watching us all together from above.
date: 5:07 pm - Friday,December 2, 2005