June 6, 2009 Just a quick note to let you know I’m in Michigan for the Leah’s Happy Hearts Walk. Rain or Shine we will be there; Maybury State Park at 1:00. You can register there or if for some reason you cannot make it you can make a pledge at www.leahshappyhearts.dojiggy.com/thejamesfamily. Light lunch, clowns, fire-trucks, face painting and a mass butterfly release are all going to make for a fun day while knowing your donations are helping research move one Hi everyone, step closer to finding a cure. Hope to see you there. I love you Leah and miss you forever. Look how you brought all of these people together; all because of you my precious angel. Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah

May 8, 2009 Hi everyone, We are settling in and I am homesick. I love the weather here and it is very pretty but I miss all of you. I really do!! We are heading to the beach for Mothers Day as it is such a hard day for me but then at the same time I am thankful for the chance to be a Mom. I am thankful for the 5 _ years we had with Leah and I am thankful for Kylie, really thankful! We are hosting our Second Annual Family Fun Walk for Leah’s Happy Hearts on June 7th at Maybury State park. I hope to see you there; the mass butterfly release will be awesome!! New this year is the ability to pledge online in case you cannot make it. Please check the pledge page for more details Anyway, Happy Mothers Day to all of you and please enjoy the day and be thankful for your Mom’s and for those that have children, embrace them. In honor of Mothers Day I am going to publish a poem that I saw a couple days ago from someone in one of my support groups. It sums up how Mother’s of angels feel....at least a little bit. Please keep all of those Mom’s that have lost a child in your prayers and thoughts and all of our Mom’s that have gone to heaven I thank all of you who help me to survive each day and you know who you are. Lastly, I thank God for carrying me. And now the poem I like to think my daughter had an influence in. My Mom is a Survivor My Mom is a survivor, Or so I’ve heard it said. But I can hear her crying at night When all others are in bed. I watch her lay awake at night And go to hold her hand. She doesn’t know I’m with her To help her understand. But like the sands on the beach That never wash away….. I watch over my surviving Mom Who thinks of me each day. She wears a smile for others… A smile of disguise! But through Heaven’s door I see tears flowing from her eyes. My Mom tries to cope with death; To keep my memory alive. But anyone who knows her knows It is her way to survive. As I watch over my surviving Mom Through Heaven’s open door… I try to tell her that angels Protect me forevermore! I know that doesn’t help her, Or ease the burden she bears. So, if you get a chance, go visit her. Show her that you care. For no matter what she says… No matter what she feels. My surviving Mom has a broken heart That time won’t ever heal Copyright 1998 Kaye Des’Ormeaux October 15, 1998

November 26th, 2008 Well another year, another holiday and I still miss Leah tremendously. Why would it ever change? I guess it will be like this the rest of my life and it will become who I am. It does make you more appreciative of the things that count in life and you have a deeper wisdom and understanding of the world. Not a place I ever wanted to be but for some reason God thought it was best. The world is basically not perfect by any means as it is not heaven and things happen. Crap happens! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I am thankful for Kylie, my husband Phil, and the 5 _ years I was able to spend with Leah. I am thankful for a roof over my head and Christian friends that are there for me and support me. I am thankful for the opportunities I had at Ford Motor Co. for many years of my life. I am most thankful for the fact that the resurrection promises eternal life for those of us that are sorry for our sins. This Thanksgiving I am asking for all of you to pray for those of us that have already lost a child, and those children that are currently battling a terminal illness. May they be blessed with strength and courage to get through this difficult time. These kids are so brave it still amazes me to no end. The holidays are always tougher than normal. Everyday is heartbreaking but the holidays remind us of family and it becomes especially difficult for us to get through each one. Ugh! Thanks to a wonderful neighbor of mine, Zosia (know I spelled that wrong) that helped with the cost of planting a tree at the cemetery in honor of Leah. It is a wonderful way to watch something grow as the days go on without my little pumpkin. Thank you so much!! We are preparing for our event at Mott and I just can’t wait to see the children smile as they pick out presents for themselves and their families. It is a blessing that we are able to host this event at Christmas time. Happy Thanksgiving to all and please hug your children for you never know how long they will be with us. Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

October 16, 2008 Hello everyone, Just thought I’d write to let you know we are still breathing. It is difficult, so difficult sometimes. The hurt in my heart cannot be explained; I have never felt a hurt like this. It is there and becomes a part of me in everything I do and say. I just went to the damn grocery store and you know it still hurts going to the same store. I see Mom’s hugging their little ones, I see frosted cookies with sprinkles that I know Leah would love. Life goes on and yet in some ways we feel as if our life stopped on August 3rd, 2005. So many people were in our lives then that are glad to have known us and Leah and they appreciate their families more than ever now. Can’t say I blame them. Why dwell on bad things. But for us, we sometimes feel like a minority and that we are still trying to keep our heads above water. Life is tough that is for sure. The only thing that helps me is hope and learning more about God. For without God in our lives there can be no hope. Still trying to sell our house. Kylie is in cheerleading and gymnastics just like last year. She is getting so tall it amazes me. We have gotten very close and we spend a lot of time together which I am very grateful for and I treasure our times together. Kylie was just saying the other day how it almost feels like it wasn’t real – the fact that Leah was with us and died. I often think the same thing. It is like this wonderful dream of 5 _ years followed by a 3 day nightmare. Surreal!! We miss her so much but we are getting by best we can. Like I always say, Kylie deserves the best life possible after experiencing such a tragedy so early in life. She keeps us motivated. Well Election Day is close and I can tell you that I’m going to vote for the one that is going to support the funding of Childhood Cancer. I will do this for Leah and all the other children out there fighting for their lives because there are no cures for a lot of childhood cancers. I’m hoping someday that Childhood Brain Tumors will get as much awareness and funding as breast cancer. How can we get there? We are gearing up for our event at Mott hospital at Christmastime. The children again will receive fleece blankets, gifts for their families and themselves and other surprises. It is the highlight of the holiday for us. All the other materialistic stuff – who cares!! Thanks for stopping by and checking on us. I don’t want to sound like a “woe is me” kind of person but I think it is important that everyone understands that this is a grief that doesn’t go away and probably never will. The pain in our hearts is there every day and every minute. We also remember the beautiful memories of Leah every minute as well and I wouldn’t trade those 5 _ years for anything. We would do it all over again if we could. I love you Leah and miss you!!!! Please remember to keep Jake Moore in your prayers who had a brain tumor removed recently. Jake is 10 and loves sports so if anyone has any cool sports memorabilia please let me know because we would love to give it to him. Also all of the other children out there battling a brain tumor and for those families that are trying to live without their child. Please pray for them. Blessings, Karen Kylie and Leah’s Mommy forever and ever

September 18, 2008 Hello Friends, This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. For ways in which you can help check out the CureSearch website at www.curesearch.org. Not much new here but we are getting ready to begin planning our Christmas event at Mott Hospital. Time will now begin to fly until after Christmas. Christmas and Halloween and Thanksgiving actually are very tough times for us and I think it will always be that way. There is always this awful pain in my heart and I just live with it as it becomes an important part of who I am and what matters to me. I have been reading this awesome book called “The Purpose Driven Life” and I think it is a great read and a great way to help me through the grief I entail everyday. I highly recommend it to anyone that wants to increase their faith in God and have a more positive way of looking at life and all of its challenges. I look forward to each new chapter and I don’t like to read. There are so many greedy people in this world that are so materialistic and a book like this helps you keep everything in perspective. I’m convinced that those that keep wanting more and more and are into money just don’t get life and what it is all about. Phil and Kylie are fine and Kylie is very busy doing cheer and gymnastics. I don’t know how she keeps up with her studies but she is doing well in school (knock on wood). I have a prayer request for all of you please. Dear friends of mine have a son that has a brain tumor called an ependymoma and he will be having surgery tomorrow. He had surgery years ago and they thought everything was okay but now the tumor is back. He is 10 years old and his name is Jake Moore. Please pray for him that his surgery is a success and they are able to get the entire tumor. His parents gave us so much support ever since Leah was diagnosed with her tumor and they were always so kind to us. Please keep Jake and his family in your prayers. Thank you. Everyone give their kids and loved ones a hug and be thankful for each day. Leah, I miss you each and every day and I know you are that little star looking down on me. I love you Leah. Thanks for checking in everyone. Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

August 11, 2008 Hi everyone, Well August 3rd has come and gone and I would like to thank those that remember this is a tough time for us. I was walking and thinking the other day, why is it that a few people seem to think that it’s been long enough and we should be over it or back to normal. We will NEVER be the way we were, our grief has become a part of us and we have a “new” normal. We don’t enjoy the same things we used to enjoy but now enjoy different type of things that perhaps we didn’t gravitate to before. We also long for the “way things used to be.” Why is it that the first 6 months after your child dies everyone excuses you for things and people say things like, “well don’t expect them to show up, or don’t expect this or that.” Newsflash: it doesn’t get any easier and who ever said there is a time limit on grief. Who thinks it should be any different now than it was 3 years ago. If that is how you think than you are one who never lost their child. See, we all grow up knowing those that are way older than us will die before us, parents, grandparents, etc… but when your child dies you lose a whole future of hopes and dreams you had for a life with that person and for that person. Of course it is always more acceptable when the person lived a long life. A child is a part of you and there is nothing more painful that losing your child. I’m not scolding but I know many use this as an educational site that helps you to understand how to treat people you may know that lost a child. Enough said. I thank many of you that are in our lives and have been there supporting us with your attendance at our fundraisers or maybe even just kind words you’ve given us. Thank you. For the few ogres out there who pretend you read this website, may you find peace in your heart and find God. Leah’s grave site looks great ever since Phil laid the sod. It is so nice to see green grass there. And the coolest thing was that about a month ago there were little baby toads hanging out right where she is buried. We saw about 3-4 of them and we just saw one last week as well. They weren’t frogs but toads are close enough in my book. Then last week Kylie and I were on the deck of our house cleaning the table and looked up and saw a balloon float by in the shape of a heart with a rainbow on it. Leah loved rainbows and hearts so I smiled and took it as a sign that she is watching us. We have had an okay summer and I’m sad to see it coming to an end. Kylie is getting ready to go back to school and cheerleading starts soon. Another week and then it is going to be busy, busy, busy. We’ve been going to the doctors a lot lately, nothing major but taking up our precious time all the same. Between doctors and orthodontists for Kylie, and doctors for my Dad, I’ve seen way more doctors this summer than I’ve wanted to see this whole year. Good news! The PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS LANDMARK "CONQUER CHILDHOOD CANCER ACT" Tuesday, July 29, 2008 was a day of celebration for all who have been touched by childhood cancer. Surrounded by key leaders of Congress, families of children with cancer, and Dr. Gregory Reaman, Chairman of the Children's Oncology Group, President Bush signed into law the Caroline Pryce Walker Childhood Cancer Act at a ceremony in the Oval Office. This means our trip to Washington D.C. paid off and I feel like I have made a difference. The law authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatment and research for children with cancer and their families. More good news – a family in N.Y. read about the need for a flat screen T.V. for a little boy in this area fighting a brain tumor. We were looking for a good deal on a T.V. and this wonderful family who has a daughter Kylie’s age offered to give the little boy their 4-month old 36’ flat screen T.V. This little girl is an advocate for children with cancer and volunteers her time being a pen pal to these children that are battling cancer. She sometimes even meets the children and becomes friends with them. I just want to say Thank You to Arabella and Amanda. You are more living proof that there are angels here on earth. Leah’s Happy Hearts will begin getting ready for our annual Christmas event at Mott Hospital next month. We need to begin shopping for the gifts that the children can give to their families, buying fleece material so we can again make blankets and just plain organizing for this wonderful event. If anyone would like to help make blankets this year, please drop me a line and I believe we will begin this at the end of September. Thanks for dropping in and checking on us. I miss Leah like crazy and it still sometimes seems like a bad nightmare. It’s been so long since I was able to hug and kiss her and I miss her soooo much. I love you Leah forever and ever. How do I get through? Short answer, my love for Kylie and Phil, friends like you, knowing other parents out there have gone through this or are currently going through this, learning more about the bible, listening to my ipod and walking. Blessings, Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever Karen

July 23, 2008 I am having a hard time today. It was 4 years ago this week that we spent 3 nights in the hospital only to hear that our precious Leah had a 1% chance of living past a year. I think this was the second worst day of my life. The first of course was the day she passed away. I am still filled with “what if’s” or “maybe this caused it” all the time. The pain does not go away – I wish everyone would understand that. It is painful for us to attend many functions but we do anyway for fear of becoming a hermit. We do many things for Kylie so that she will have as normal of a life as possible but please know the pain is with us every minute. I feel like some think okay, it’s been 3 years so they are back to normal now. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. The only time I feel somewhat normal is when I am surrounded by other families that have children in heaven or children battling an illness. I would also like to thank those that still follow our story and are there to support us. We appreciate you more than you will ever know. We are muddling along and still trying to sell the house. Several people loved it but need to sell their house first. Patience I know. I’m volunteering on a sub-group at Mott Hospital for their new house that will be completed in 2011. Leah’s Happy Hearts will soon be planning our next Christmas shopping event at the hospital so we are looking forward to that. There is also a little boy battling a tumor that we are trying to find a flat screen T.V. for so if anyone knows where we can get a good deal please let us know. Kylie is doing well and is getting tall. Soon she will be as tall as me so either she is growing like a weed or I am getting shorter. I did turn 50 last week so maybe the bones are shrinking. 50! That is hard to admit. Ouch. I miss my baby girl Leah all the time and I will always love her. I wish I could hug her and tell her how much I love her again. That’s all for now. Thanks for checking in and please sign the guestbook if you get a chance. Hug your loved ones and continue to pray for those families that lost a child in addition to those families that have children battling cancer or a brain tumor. Blessings, Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

June 19, 2008 Hi everyone, Wow, thanks again to everyone that supported our walk. Our account is now showing that we brought in close to $20,000.00 from the walk. The pictures from the walk are now on the website www.leahshappyhearts.org so please stop and take a look. Oh and SAVE the DATE!! Our next walk will be on Saturday, May 30th, 2009. Hope to see you there and I promise to have more butterflies and a special surprise. I am off to Washington D.C. (Capitol Hill) next week to speak to the senators about obtaining more funding for pediatric brain tumors. I’m a little nervous not knowing what to expect and I do hope it goes smoothly and that it is an empowering event. It sure is difficult to go through all the pictures of Leah trying to find just the right ones to make a lasting impact on the people I speak with. Well Leah’s spot at the cemetary is looking good thanks to Phil planting sod and watering everyday. The problem is, they broke the frog that was on her stone by mowing over it, then they mowed over the angel pinwheel and now today we found her shepards hook leaning over about 3 ft. above the ground (it is normally about 6 ft. high). They ran into it with something,,,,the mower again!!! Needless to say we had to take it home and we will have to go buy a new one. Why do they have to always do things to her site. I don’t get it. She was 5 years old and we go there every single day to take care of it so why can’t they do the same. 100 years from now when we are not around then do what you will but can’t they give her some respect now. I’m under enough stress where I don’t need this crap everytime we go to pray at Leah’s cemetary site. WE can trim around the hook ourselves since we are there EVERYDAY. Geesh!! Okay, I need to vent. Why always her. We are the only ones I think that planted sod so can’t you see that and go out of your way to give the family respect. I still miss Leah every minute of every day and I will forever say it is not fair!!! Hug your kids and loved ones for we never know what tomorrow holds. John 14:1-3 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

June 4, 2008 Hi everyone, I know it is has been a long time so I thought I would let you know I’m still breathing and hanging in there. We went to swim with the dolphins over a month ago and it was awesome!!! I can’t say enough good things about Discovery Cove. Everyone should go there. I only wish Leah would have been with us and then it would have been complete. The weird thing that happened was that as we were leaving the park at 4:30, a dolphin named Sharkey collided with another dolphin and died. This has never happened before in the history of the park and dolphins doing tricks so I’m wondering if there is some hidden meaning to that. Anyway, I loved hanging on to the fins of the dolphin and having it pull me across the lagoon; I loved touching them and hearing them talk. I’m so glad I was able to do that and that Kylie could experience it as well. Our walk “Happy Feet for Happy Hearts” was this past weekend on May 31st, and it went really well. We raised approximately $14,000.00 - $15,000.00 and I want to thank everyone that supported us and/or participated in the walk. It meant so much to me to see people there wearing the happy hearts shirt with the picture that Leah drew on them. The kids loved the clowns, tattoos, fire-trucks and butterflies. It was a beautiful day. Thank you to Northville Christian School for helping to promote our event and for obtaining so many generous donors for us. Thanks to all of our sponsors including out Platinum sponsors, Independent Bank, UAW Chrysler, and St. Mary Mercy Hospital. Life goes on and the wound in my heart is still open. I think it always will be. The trick is to keep it from bleeding and there are so many things that make it bleed. Seeing other families with healthy children, giving your name and number of people in your party at a restaurant, going on vacations, seeing kids Leah’s age, going shopping, going on vacations, looking at pictures, it is never ending. I think I am best being in a hospital environment, or maybe working in hospice as that is wear I feel most comfortable. A new normal is difficult to get used to. I am planning a trip to Washington D.C. and I will tell you more about that once I know I can go. I went camping with Kylie’s class and that is an adventure for sure. I was so happy to be able to be with Kylie and the girls in her class but I was definitely out of my comfort zone. It is so nice to be able to do things like that since I am not working. I worked since I was 16 so having the freedom to finally say I’ll be there for all school functions is great. It sure does get busier when your children are older and it is much easier to have them in day care and be working when they are young. I’m glad I worked when they were young and got it over with. Don’t get me wrong, I will go back to work (if someone will have me) but I’m taking a much needed break right now and it is very awesome. Kylie is doing well and so is Phil. Nothing really new to report there. Thanks for stopping in and checking on us. I hope everyone has a blessed day and please remember to be thankful for everyday we have and don’t forget to hug your kids. If you don’t have kids hug your loved ones and your pets. God Bless. Karen Kylie and Leah’s mommy forever

April 19, 2008 Hi everyone, The registration for the walk is now online so please logon to www.leahshappyhearts.org and say you will walk with us for a cure. We will have hard copy registration forms within the next week for those that are going to get pledges. We are still looking for a business to donate some cookies, banana’s or waters so please let us know if you know of someone who can help us. If you know a business owner that would like to be a sponsor and have their name on our t-shirts please let me know that as well. Time goes by and I’m still missing Leah as much as ever. Someone in my online support group sent everyone the poem below which really sums up the loss of a child. I find the words comforting and thought I would share them with you today. Take care everyone and please remember to hug your children and say a prayer for those that have a lost a child. May everyone find peace in their heart. Have a safe week. Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s Mommy forever Remember Me With Love … As years pass by and others rarely mention my name, remember me with love. When my anniversary date arrives, take a moment to say my name aloud. If tears fall, let them. Wherever you are—I am. I live in your heart, mind, and soul. Don’t worry, you will never forget me. And we will be together again. “And this is what he promises us—even eternal life.” 1 John 2:25 I have taught you about a mother’s love in a way nothing else possibly could. Don’t waste this lesson. Use the love you possess to still give to others. Comfort others who’ve had a loss; do it in my memory. The world needs more people who care. And besides that, a little of me lives in each person you touch. You have the power to make my legacy one I would be proud of. “Dear children, let us love not with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 Light a candle, buy a rose, perform an “act of kindness.” Simple things. But then, our love is so great, no remembrance could ever be large enough to show how much you love me. For true love has no boundaries. And don’t forget … I love you, too! Look at a puffy cloud, flower, or bird. Have no doubt “my angel spirit” is with the One who created these things. Remember, He created me too! “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you …” Jeremiah 1:5 Contemplate the many gifts I’ve left, and how I’ve affected your life in a good way. I’ve shown you how precious life is, and given you a greater appreciation of it. I’ve let you discover how strong you really are. I hope my short time here has made you discover what’s really important. Has it made you a better person? I hope so. “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” Psalm 71:20 Your faith was tested, and hopefully, strengthened. God mends broken hearts. I hope He has mended your heart and filled it with a peace that only He can. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him.” Lamentations 3:35 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 Most of all, know that the Bible says our love is eternal. “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Corinthians 13:13 If you think of me today I’ll be rejoicing from above To know you have remembered me With your precious mother’s love. By Gail Fasolo

April 4, 2008 Hi everyone, Life goes on doesn’t it? Despite whatever happens in our lives it goes on and there is no stopping. Holding on to hope is all we can do sometimes and being thankful for the gifts we received and realizing everything is temporary. That is what it is all about. God can take back our gifts whenever he see fit and why I will never know or comprehend. We are not God so we will never understand so we just have to hold onto our faith. Okay enough of that. Update on the walk. It has been moved to Mayberry State Park. There are pro’s with Livonia but the length of the walk would have been 51/2 miles and the comfort of the walkers may not have been that great being that we were walking near major roads. All in all Mayberry will have nice scenery, people can choose a 1, or 2 mile walk if they prefer and most of us will do the 3 mile walk. We will still have a fire-truck, face painting, and a clown along with light food so it is all good. I am hoping to see all of you out there supporting us on our first “family walk.” We are planning some neat things to promote awareness so come on down with your family, have some fun and get a little exercise as well. All funds collected will be given to pediatric brain tumor research along with helping us make our next Christmas shopping event at Mott Children’s even more special. Log into our happy hearts website, www.leahshappyhearts.org within the next week for more details. There you will find out how you can obtain pledges and how to donate. We are still in need of sponsors so if you own a business and would like your name on our t-shirts and posters please drop me a line. We are doing okay and my heart is still hurting everyday. I can’t stop thinking of Leah and I am always missing her. Kylie just finished volleyball and I must say she turned out to be a pretty good player. She is now starting track practice and I’m looking forward to cheering her on during her meets. She is also still in gymnastics and getting ready for her gym fest exhibition and I’m so glad she is staying active. Our house is still for sale and I’m sure that is not a surprise. I also want to purchase a convertible this summer since my 50th b-day is coming up. We have one car up for sale so we will see if we can get a decent price. That is all for now. Thanks for checking in on us and thank you to those that still remember us by signing the guestbook and by sending your Easter cards. Those holidays are certainly a little more difficult to get thru. Remember our walk is on May 31st so please mark your calendars. I love you Leah and I will forever miss you. Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

I’d like to give a special “Thank You” to my niece Sammie, and my nephew Nathan, for being so unselfish and asking friends that come to their birthday party to donate to Leah’s Happy Hearts instead of bringing them a present. They came up with this idea on their own as I’m sure they miss their cousin. Thank you to both of you for being so kind, sweet and generous. I know Leah is sending you hugs and kisses right now and smiling from up above. You are both very special and we love you. March 1, 2008 Good morning. I’ve been up since 6:00 tossing and turning so I thought to myself, “time to journal.” Thoughts of Leah going through my head but not a whole lot of memories from before diagnosis of the tumor darn it. The signs of spring are coming and it still is like putting a knife into your wound. I passed a mall the other day and the large sign said, “Easter Bunny Arrives March 5” and then I go to the grocery store and see shelves of Easter candy as soon as I walk in the door. Ugh! I’ve said it before and I still mean it, spring is the most painful time. Kids come out with their bicycles, flowers start to bloom, and it is a sign of renewal and I don’t feel renewed. Sorry, I’m not going to tell you I’m fine when I still don’t feel fine. I’m getting along and going through each day best I can but there is a void. A big void!! I long to be in an environment where there are others in the same situation or similar. That is where I am comfortable and I’m sure my destiny is in the making but for right now I’m still trying to figure out what direction God wants me to take. I know I have a purpose (other than wife and mother) in this world and by golly I’m going to find it! We have booked a date for our family fun walk and it is going to be Saturday, May 31st so please mark that on your calendars. Originally I thought Kensington would be nice but then my emotions came into play (which they always do the first time we host an event of a particular type) and I thought how cool would it be to walk past the cemetery, fire station and house where Leah was born so that is what we will do. Okay so the scenery is not going to be great but I’m hoping everyone will come out and support our first walk in Leah’s memory. It will be a 5 mile walk starting at a park and then finishing at that same park. There will be water stations and port-a-potty’s along the way and of course cars stationed if you get to tired to walk. We are looking for companies to sponsor us and they will get their names on the back of our t-shirts that each pre-registered walker will receive. Companies can sponsor us by giving us monetary donations, water, food; popcorn machines/cotton candy machines, etc… If you own a company or know of someone that may donate please drop me a line. Otherwise, please come and join us so that we will have a successful first walk. More to come on that! Leah’s journey continues. We met with the Pediatrician, Director, Nurse and coordinator of the Pediatric Palliative Care department and learned how our donation is going to help their department. Palliative Care doesn’t mean “end of life” care but rather support for the patient and families while they are battling a life-threatening disease. It can mean that they put a ramp up in front of your house so that your wheel-chair is much easier to handle, it can help spiritually, emotionally, and of course physically by helping to give these families and patients a better quality of life while going thru everything we do when we go to battle with a disease. This is something Phil and I needed when Leah was diagnosed but it didn’t exist then. I think awareness needs to be made to everyone that this type of service is available now at Mott Children’s Hospital and sometimes you have to ask for it. It is not hospice. A long term goal would be to help fund a building consisting of rooms where patients could stay along with their families and still receive medical care while staying there. Wouldn’t it be cool if in years to come they were able to do this and they called it “Leah’s House?” There is a man in Arizona that had a need for his son to have such care and they didn’t have anything like it so he started fundraising and with the help of many organizations the house was called Ryan’s House named after his son. A long term goal but a good one indeed. We are all doing well and are still trying to sell our home. We miss Leah like crazy and always will. On a good note we booked a trip to swim with the dolphins and I can’t wait but I do have a couple months to go. Kylie and I will swim with them and Phil opted out due to the fact he likes to video everything and snap pictures. He will swim with the sting-rays and snorkel with us in the lagoons though. Not a trip that we can really afford but you know you only turn 50 once and I told myself before I leave this world I need to experience a dolphin swim and I’m not going to wait until I’m 60 because who knows what shape I will be in then. Another little boy, Samuel Jones of Michigan passed away a couple days ago of the same tumor as Leah’s. This has to stop! Please keep the family in your prayers. Thanks for checking in on us and hearing me ramble on. I appreciate everyone of you and still like it when you sign the guestbook. It is so important that you stay with us during this journey and for those that have friends going thru this please know your presence is as important afterwards as it is when the family is in battle. I love you Leah and I will always miss you!!!! Blessings, Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

February 3, 2008 Here I am again. I felt that the last update had a bit of a negative undertone and please know that the only reason I vent about things is because I want to share my journey. Everyday is difficult and when someone says something hurtful it makes things all the more difficult…it is almost like taking two steps backwards. I appreciate all of you that follow Leah’s journey and I would like to dedicate this update to those that supported Leah’s Happy Hearts and/or our family. To all that donated their time, and/or money at our last fundraiser held at Genitti’s, I thank you! To all that sent or gave a donation to Leah’s Happy Hearts I thank you. And of course, to all those that donated items for the auction or items for the Christmas party I thank you. If it wasn’t for generous people like you we would not have been able to host the Christmas party at Mott’s Children’s Hospital which was the highlight of my holidays. In addition, I am proud to say that we are donating $10,000.00 this week to Mott’s Children’s Hospital because of your generous donations. We decided to give the money this time to the Pediatric Palliative Care department since quality of life is near and dear to my heart. What is Palliative Care you may be saying? The following is taken off the Mott Hospital website: Pediatrics Palliative Care Consultation offers active, comprehensive support for managing patients with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions. Palliative care can be appropriate at all stages of illness, not just the terminal phase, and can be provided at the same time as active or life-prolonging treatments. We can help with many aspects of care, including symptom management, communication challenges, complex decision-making, advance care planning and transitions throughout the course of an illness. We work closely with unit and hospital-based resources to offer seamless support to our primary teams, patients and families. The Palliative Care team is multidisciplinary, represented by a physician, an advance practice nurse, a social worker and a pastoral care professional. Because of this generous donation, Leah’s name will be placed on their donor wall and this means a lot to us as it will always be there so Thank You from the bottom of my heart. I know Leah is smiling up in heaven knowing that we all had a part in making this happen. We are now going to start planning a fun run/walk in Livonia to be held in late spring or early summer. This event will be very memorable and you can bring your entire family as there will be fun in store at the end of the walk. Please tell all of your friends! The money raised will be used to help fund pediatric brain tumor research and to help us with the next Christmas party at Mott’s. Stay tuned. I will post the event on www.leahshappyhearts.org once we have a confirmed date. That’s all for now. I hope you all have blessed and healthy days. Take care. We love you Leah and we miss you!!!! Not a minute goes by without us thinking about you and feeling that stabbing soreness in our heart. Karen Kylie and Angel Leah’s mommy forever and ever

January 25, 2008 Hi everyone, Thanks to everyone that launched balloons on Leah’s birthday. We will forever miss her and love her. Happy 8th birthday Leah. I am so upset at some people. I just had someone come up to me (someone who I thought had more common sense) and say the stupidest most ignorant thing one could say to a grieving parent. Ugh….I can’t believe some people. God says to forgive and I’m trying to find it in my heart to do just that and know that they have no clue or experience in speaking to people. It is a shame that some people think they are so good that they can judge others let alone counsel others. Phoney people. Please! Then of course there are some kids that think Kylie suffered the loss of her sister to get attention. Yes, this is something that was said to my daughter and she has to deal with mean girls like that saying something like that. Weird and very very cruel to say the least. I hope these people will some day grow up and realize how to treat others. Enough said. It just helps me to write down my feelings and VENT!! It is difficult to quickly get over things like that. We are doing okay and since I’m turning 50 this year we are thinking about maybe going to swim with dolphins this year and perhaps go back to Give Kids the World. I hear swimming with the dolphins is a magical experience and something I want to do before I leave this world. I also heard that Give Kids the World expanded to accommodate many more families so that is something I want to see and I get a feeling of peace when I am there. It is bittersweet; sad but comforting. Kylie has been doing cheerleading and is awesome. She is also still doing gymnastics and will be starting volleyball soon. I love watching her do any type of sports. She is doing well all things considered. She is a kind loving soul and has been volunteering at Sunday preschool for the last 6 months or so. I signed up to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and am hoping that I can start soon. I read on another grieving parent’s website that they found this very comforting and rewarding and I think I would feel the same way. Speaking of volunteering, for those that get MCare magazine, please watch for the article about Leah’s Happy Hearts volunteering at Mott’s this coming spring. I think it will come out in Late February or early March. We will be planning a fun run/walk in late spring so please stay tuned and plan on bringing your whole family for a memorable day of fun. That is all for now so please take care and have a blessed week or two. Karen Kylie and Leah’s mommy forever and ever

January 11, 2008 Happy 8th birthday Leah. 8 years ago today at 6:00 a.m. you came into our lives and family and I was so so happy. I was probably holding you right now glowing with joy and little did I know I would only have you for 5 1/2 years. 5 1/2 wonderful, beautiful years. Here I am again on your birthday missing you like crazy and still asking the same questions, why? Why her? Why is there no cure? why, why, why?? I still think of you everyday every minute and no matter where I go or what I do you are with me. I see other families and I feel cheated, yet I feel happy to have had you in our lives for 5 1/2 years. I feel lucky to have been your Mommy and that you were so special and beautiful both inside and out. I know God sent you here for a reason but I can’t seem to figure out why he took you back so soon. I miss you sooooo much. Why is the world so worried about stupid things when children are dying and there is no cure for the illnesses they are dying from. Like someone wrote in my guestbook, soon we may all be forced to have digital T.V.’s……please, where is this world going??? Our priorities are in the wrong place people. We worry about what we are wearing, how much money we made, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. Ok, I’m sorry, not everyone but a lot of us and I was guilty myself. I’m sorry I didn’t send Christmas cards out this year but I just didn’t feel up to it. Next year I promised myself I will do a family picture because Kylie needs to know that she is special too and we are still a family. My little Leah, if you were here I would throw you a party and we could bake a cake together since I have more time now being the retired woman I am. I would buy you your favorite things and make macaroni and cheese for you. For dessert, you could have strawberries, cake and ice cream and then you would look at me and say, “you gave me much.” Oh how I miss you. Instead today I will release balloons , 8 purple balloons and tie several fun balloons to your grave blanket. I will lay a card on your blanket and perhaps Daddy and I will go out to eat at one of your favorite restaurants. It really stinks without you. I will continue to take good care of Kylie as I love her just as much as I love you. She just got braces with pink and orange bands and I wish you were here to see them. I will try to be a better person and a better Christian so that with God’s grace I can see you again. I’m really trying, not there yet but I’ve come a long way and I’m becoming closer to God even though I am still angry. Gee, it’s weird how that works. Happy Birthday Pumpkin! I will carry you in my heart forever and I know you have a piece of mine with you for I can feel the void. I will look up to the sky and I know you will be that little star looking down on me. I will take care of your pretty light too and all of your favorite possessions that lie in your room. Please keep us strong and I can’t wait to see you again. Happy Birthday!!!! Your mommy forever, Karen

2007 Updates

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