Princess Christi's Royal Sendoff

Princess Christi receives the royal treatment.

It was like the town stood still. Never could I have imagined the kindness and love displayed by hundreds today! I really should be without words as I won't do human kindness justice with this blog entry...


Greeting me this morning was the wonderful Advertiser - Tribune. For a third day, they had a huge color photo and another lengthy front page article about Christi's life here on earth printed. Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/index.asp
Saying the final goodbye to Miss Christi before her casket lid was sealed this morning at the funeral home was of course very challenging. Thankfully, we were surrounded by dear friends and family all day even if at times I couldn't even stand to look at - much less talk to, anyone. I apologize; it's just so hard.

Christi loved her pallbearers so much and they took the greatest care in tenderly carrying her little white coffin adorned with her picture.


Kelsey Grine did an amazing job of providing Christi's escort by leading the way with the "Riderless Horse" from the funeral home all the way through downtown to St. Mary's. Shayne, Shayla and I were incredibly humbled riding in the limousine to see people along the sidewalks touching their hearts, or in prayer as we slowly trotted along. All the police officers in the finest of uniforms proudly stood in the most beautiful strong "salute" positions; what gentlemen. Kelsey put her hat over the saddle and it was precious. I hope someone got a picture; I didn't. (Kelsey brought that same beautiful white horse which was used at Christi's 9th birthday celebration they provided for her in May. How appropriate!) Kelsey said the horse was very cooperative and only whinnied upon our arrival at St. Mary's. (I guess those waiting in church, watching the photo display and listening to the harp, knew we arrived then.) Kelsey said the only time the horse was uncomfortable was when Christi's coffin was carried up from the motorcoach hearse and into the church. Regardless, Christi would have loved it all!

As the pallbears brought Christi in, "Here I Am Lord" was the first hymm. I selected this one as it was one of Christi's favorites and I kept reflecting upon the many times she was beside me singing it with her beautiful little voice. Father Joe did an amazing job and really personalized the Mass and all who participated were just incredible. The eulogies were perfect and Christi's three friends and her cousins mustered up the courage to read the greatest of poems. The music was absolutely breathtaking. Church was full and we felt surrounded by love. We again, we are humbled. (Shayla was as good as gold all day. Despite the fact that Mass alone was an hour and a half long, she only asked me one time, "How much longer?")


After church, her coffin was placed inside the horse drawn hearse. One hundred fifty pink and white balloons were then released in rememberance of her precious life; it was lovely. She would have really liked it!
150 balloons danced their way toward Heaven.

Proceeding through the rest of town, it was like the town stood still. Shayne and I were simply stunned by the number of people out on their front porches and along the side walks in total silence paying so much respect to this fallen hero.

Many have told me in recent days that it wasn't "our Christi" it was "everyone's Christi". Andrea informed me that the procession was two miles long! Special touches, which really caught us off guard, were the many signs held up about this beautiful new Angel and of flowers placed down on the ground as the horse, carrying her coffin, slowly rolled by. Shayne and I cried rivers of tears at how kind, thoughtful and generous people were for miles.

Although I worried that the motorcycles were going to scare the horse, I shouldn't have been. All worked out fine. They waited to "fire up their engines" until Christi's casket was transfered back into the motorcoach hearse. Oh how Christi loved that sound! At the many Poker Run Fundraisers the "Friends of Christi" did in her honor and even for the last one in June when I had to hold my phone next to her in her hospital bed in Philly, she just giggled and said, "Wow! That is really loud!" Nearly 70 motorcycles next lead the way for the miles out to the Seneca Memory Gardens Cemetary where she now rests beside my father, her Grandpa Vince.

Father Joe provided final blessings and prayers and then we released the doves. (Actually, white honing pigeons hopefully now safe and sound back in Lima, but....it was lovely and precious - just lke Christi's little life.) Shayla loved her "dove" so much she actually kissed it! We each released one and then we all three together released the fourth one - to represent letting Christi's spirit soar in Heaven. At first three joined each other in the sky and then the fourth one (Christi) caught up with the other three. They then circled around together before heading off on their journey which most likely only took about two hours to fly that far. (Ya know how Shayla has a hard time parting with things....I kept thinking she'd try to keep her dove, but she was fine with it and let it go. Whew! Thanks to Andrea for letting her feed and water the doves last night at the funeral home!!) The Thomas team (trio???) expresses their deepest thanks and appreciation to Kelly & Tom for providing the "Wings of Love" for us after I inquired about it a year ago. We were neighbors with them in NYC at the Ronald House and without a doubt their son Carl- another victim of neuroblastoma, was waiting at Heaven's gates to welcome Christi Home. Shayla loves her dove!

Tom and Lori and their families did another incredible "Uncle Dudley's" catering event for our family and they served the two of Christi's favorite foods I asked them to prepare in her honor - hot dogs and mac & cheese! The desserts were incredible. As always, it was all exceptional and we are full of gratitude to everyone. Friends came from far and near again today and we are so humbled by the great distance many of them traveled. Please accept our gratitude and please know how humbled we are!

So now we're back home and all is quite. Shayne and I continue to shake our heads that so many people chose to spend the whole day with us. True blessings so lovingly displayed; thank you! God is good!!

Tonight we will watch Channel 11 Toledo News at 7 PM and at 11 PM as they were there taking footage today. I'll send you the link when it's available. We have a lot of unpacking to do as we never unpacked from what turned out to be our final stay in Philadelphia. That, along with our healing, will come in do time. I will update again soon. Thank you, dear supporters! You've richly blessed our lives!

"Lifting us Up!" Thank you to Rich and Andera Traunero for literally lifting us up - and working tirelessly for us over the past week.