Memorial Service Planned for Thursday - Heidelberg College

These amazing students made Christi beam with pride and joy for a couple of great years. They'll never know how happy they made her by declaring her a "Heidelberg College Student for the Day" since that is the college she told everyone she was going to "for my first college". Although she always moved them to tears, she was very pleased to read "Alex & and the Amazing Lemonade" stand to the "big kids" and Shayne and I were always moved to tears by the long line of "poor college kids" who managed to give thousands of dollars to help find a cure.
September 2005 Heidelberg College Education Students' Lemonade

After I left my doctor’s office this morning, I drove out to Christi’s grave. Much to my surprise (and delight) some placed a beautiful pinwheel beside the stake that contains Christi’s name. (Thank you! I was so moved.) I had planned to read some more to her, but it was cold so I prayed and then returned to my van where I ate a granola bar instead pretending to “have breakfast with Christi”.

My next stop was to Jeffrey’s jewelry store. For Christi’s Sacrament of Holy Eucharist in April of 2004, her Godmothers (and Aunt Marty) bought her a stellar crucifix on a very strong chain that some may have seen in pictures (or in person) over the years. She loved it! When she picked it out, I had them show her only the adult selections thinking that the doctors would be right and that she really wouldn’t live much longer; I knew I wanted to wear the special necklace with Jesus on it if she really didn’t make it. It was emotional, but as of today it now has a new (adult size) chain and I’m now wearing the beautiful necklace. It was around her neck during the visitation, but removed at my request before the casket was closed. It has her name and birth date engraved on the back. It makes me feel close to Christi as she is now with Jesus.

The recent newspaper articles are treasures in my mind, so I went to Staples to get all of them laminated this morning. The girl that has laminated many of Christi’s previous newspaper articles asked, “How is she doing?” I didn’t know what to say. “I don’t know. I’m watching for signs every day, but so far nothing.” I am currently reading “They are our Heaven” but so far she hasn’t sent me any text messages like in the book. Hmmmm. Finally I said, “We buried her last Saturday and we miss her terribly. She was the greatest kid, so very funny and empathetic. ” The poor girl quickly wrote down my order and told me it’d be ready on Wednesday.

Before venturing on to deliver the lemonade stand to Heidelberg College and to make copies for class tonight, I dropped off the death certificates to Shayne. Why was her birth certificate the most beautiful thing? I made copies and even put one in a frame years ago. Why do I think this certificate is the most disgusting thing I ever saw? Ah, perspective and circumstances – all very different. Life & Death.

How are we doing? Ok. Unlike my husband, I’m sleeping very well now. For four years that was something I really struggled with waking up nearly every night with worry. When asked how I can sleep well now I can only respond that what I feared would happen for four years already happened. While I miss her dreadfully, get choked up just going into her room for Shayla’s clothing each morning, and manage to be moved to tears at least once a day for one reason or another, I know I will live my life in a way which will allow me to be reunited with her again one day. When I last spoke with her I told her it wasn’t goodbye, but until we meet again in a much better place. That, along with people’s incredible kindness, is keeping me going.

We are so touched by the kindness of the Education Department at Heidelberg College. On Thursday, they have planned a memorial service in memory of Christi. If anyone would like to join in, all are invited. Shayne, Grandma Nonee and I will all be there.

At 11AM in France Hall will be a service by the Campus Minister. Outside of the Education Building they will dedicate the small tree which stands where Christi had her lemonade stands outside of the Education Building. There will also be a plaque placed in her memory. At 11:50 AM will be a balloon release and from noon to 2PM will be a memory lemonade stand which will be manned by her "Chatty Cathy Club" friends. We continue to witness God's love through His people here are earth and we are filled with gratitude and appreciation. This helps us to realize that she is gone, but not forgotten. That, along with believing her life wasn't lived in vain, gives us comfort. (Thank you also to the 'Berg student newspaper for the front page photo and article promoting the event.) http://www.heidelberg.edu/kilikilik/Issue116-1.pdf

Another sweet little girl (Kaitlin Richmond, Forever 7) was recently called Home and I'm willing to bet that Christi was there welcoming her through Heaven's gates. Kaitlin was diagnosed weeks before Christi and was able to be in remission for a couple of years before relapsing in 2005. We now know how bad her family is hurting as they try to give her a proper send off and then begin their own new life, one without their little girl. If you'd like to leave a message of sympathy, Kaitlin's website is: http://www.caringbridge.org/wa/kaitlin/