entry 1721
name: Salma
email:
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message:
Hello! I'm a friend of Amanda's and I just wanted to say I'm really sorry. Nobody should be punished like that. You're daughter is very cute, and I send all my wishes to her, and know that she is up in heaven , in the best place, and someone is taking care of her. Leah will be fine. //::..*(fingers crossed)//::..*
date: 2:23 pm - Tuesday,October 25, 2005

entry 1720
name: Melissa Etcubanez
email: mae011@hotmail.com
url:
message:
There are just so many memories that include Leah that bring a smile to my face. Working at the child care center was a wonderful adventure and each day I shared with Leah is a precious memory that I will always cherish. I can still see her walking around Room 8, with one thumb in her mouth and the other thumb in her belly button—even if she was wearing a dress! It was just too cute, eventually, she became more comfortable with us that she didn’t do it as much. One of my favorite things about Leah, is that she really cared about others. Whenever you or Phil came to pick her up, she always made sure to say bye to each of her teachers. Sometimes, if she forgot, five seconds after she went out the door, our door would swing back open and Leah would rush up to me to give me the biggest and best hug ever…and then would run back out the door to meet you in the lobby. I believe that she knew how important it was to live each day like there would be no tomorrow, she made sure she let everyone around her that she loved, that she loved them. Her heart is so kind and full of so much love, that even without her on earth, her love, smiles and laughter will always be held within everyone that knew her and hear courageous journey. I am thankful for your friendship, for letting me into your family away from school and allowing me to spend those evenings with your absolutely wonderful and sweet daughters. I think of all of you so often, I know that I was meant to know you, to teach me about patience, courage and strength. Your family amazes me, just as Leah always has and always will, for everything she did and said, came from you. “It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime, so let me say before we part, so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me, like a handprint on my heart. And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine, by being my friend . . . because I knew you, I have been changed, for good.” –For Good (by Stephen Schwartz, from the Broadway musical Wicked)
date: 10:34 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1719
name: Margaret
email:
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message:
I pray that you will someday have more positive things to report. I know it is so difficult. Please let us know how your husband and Kylie are doing also. God Bless
date: 10:25 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1718
name: Erin
email: erinbeth_ny@yahoo.com
url:
message:
Dear James family, You do not know me but I found your website while doing a search for my good friends. Their son, JJ, was just diagnosed on Friday. He is such a precious child as I can see your Leah is. Just as I'm sure you did, we are praying JJ will be in that one percent. His mother is convinced of it. I am so proud of her strength. He was born two months premature and fought his way through. Now at five, he is a strong soccer player and a kind little man. Thank you for this amazing resource. The page on "what to say" is most helpful. So far I have been a blubbering fool to my friend but we are all stepping up to help out. JJ gets his drain tube put in tomorrow and radiation starts by the end of the week. I'm not sure if you are ready to reach out to others yet. If not, I understand, but my friends Diana and Jim need someone who knows their stuff and can offer expertise on how to get the best care and what to expect when they get home. Please let me know if this is something you are interested in, or if you know of a group that can help. We are in Huntsville, AL and JJ is in Birmngham at Children's Hospital. God bless you and your family. I'm not ready to share this website with Diana yet but I have given the address to some others in our circle. Thank you. Thank you. You can write back if you are interested erinbeth_ny@yahoo.com and we can set something up.
date: 3:02 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1717
name: the Fitzpatricks
email:
url:
message:
We are still praying for you. Keep taking it one day at a time. God will get you through this. I know it must seem unimaginable now, but I know you will not be allowed to hurt like this forever. There will come a time when your hearts will be happy again. God bless all of you and I pray He will hold you tightly and give your hearts peace.
date: 3:00 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1716
name: Kris James
email:
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message:
Besides the happy memories of our family holidays and birthdays - alot of my special memories of Leah are right in my backyard - swimming and laughing. I feel very blessed that Leah said she had a happy heart swimming in our pool this summer and the last time we were all together was on your birthday Karen and Leah was cracking me up with her jokes (especially the one that you had alot of candles to blow out!!!) She was (and is) a very special Angel, very wise beyond her years and even through her illness she blossomed. She always seemed so quiet and shy before her illness- her personality just shined during it (no doubt your wonderful, comforting parenting had alot to do with it!!!) I love you guys so much and pray to God and to Leah to take care of all of you, to help you just get through each day.
date: 2:09 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1715
name: Janice M.
email:
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message:
Hi Karen, It was so good to see you back at work, even though it is very difficult for you. We are here for you, and care very much about you. I don't have many personal memories of Leah, but one I remember well, was when I came to your house for a jewelry party. She sat there changing her video tape and smiling at all of us. Her smile and big blue eyes, lit up the room. I just loved her cute little nose! Following her journey, I was amazed at the things she would say for such a young child. She truely was and is a remarkable angel! I pray for your comfort through all the days ahead. Just remember Leah is now your guardian angel, with you every day! Love you, Janice
date: 1:42 pm - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1714
name: Nancy (Passmore) LeGreve
email: nlegreve@lssu.edu
url:
message:
Thank you for sharing what you are going through. My memory of Leah (though I'd never had the opportunity to get to know her in person) is how amazing she faced each obstacle - such wisdom and optimism for one so young. I smile every time I think of her saying "I have a happy heart". I lift you all up to God and I pray that He will replace all of your sorrows with memories of happy times with Leah. Take comfort in knowing that Leah is no longer suffering – she is running, playing and jumping for joy with Jesus. Her heart will now be happy forever! Love & prayers from your Upper Peninsula cousin Nancy
date: 12:51 am - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1713
name: kim Carey
email:
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message:
Dear Karen, I have only met you, Phil, Kylie, and sweet Leah once, but I pray for you constantly, especially at Mass...always at mass. I pray for your family, Allie's family, and all parents who are grieving the loss of a child. Your pain is unimaginable to me--simply unthinkable. You asked us to write about what moved us most about Leah, or her journey. There are so many things I could write about, but the very first thing that comes to my mind is the spiritual connection Leah had with heaven while she was still on earth. The words that came out of her mouth at times were divinely inspired, and simply not of this world. (At least not out of the mouth of a five year old) This always touched me and reassured me that Leah was a special soul, a wise soul, and that she was in God's Hands. I also especially loved the story of you shopping and the mall and having the great giggle-fest and Leah said, "thanks for the laugh!!" Now, that is not something a five year old soul would say! It brings a smile to me. I pray that you can remember that Leah was such a happy child, and so lucky to be loved by such a wonderful family. Heaven must seem so far away, but the reunion will be like an instant for Leah. I will continue to hold your family up in prayer. Kim Carey
date: 12:36 am - Monday,October 24, 2005

entry 1712
name: Teri
email:
url:
message:
You can't bum us out with your writing. Without your words, we'd have no idea what you're going through, we'd have no idea how to pray, how to support you. I've never experienced loss in my life like you have. Even though I can imagine what you're feeling, I would never know the overwhelming depths of despair and pain if you didn't espress it. Your words tell me what you need and how I can talk to God about those needs. You can't bum out the people who are concerned about you. Please keep sharing.
date: 10:00 am - Monday,October 24, 2005