"A Million Candles" Read by Sarah

I'll never know how those four beautiful young ladies had the courage to go up and read their poems into the microphone at the end of Christi's funeral mass. They were amazing and brought a lovely, fitting tribute to Christi. I know by now they have gone on with their lives- growing and flourishing and I'm happy for them. Losing one of your best friends would have to be crushing. I really miss being with Christi's friends and their mothers. We were all blessed to have loved and to have been loved by Christi's many great friends!

Christi created a silly wig at Sarah's tenth birthday party (May 2006)
Staying overnight at Sarah's (Aug. 2006)
Kindred Spirits!Chatty Cathy's Unite! These sweet girls had special "Chatty Cathy" necklaces engraved at Jeffrey's and brought Christi's to the funeral home where Shayne placed it around Christi's neck. Christi treasured their special friendship.


Read by Sarah, Christi's friend and a fellow "Chatty Cathy" Club Member: (Sarah then had this poem framed and matted and it's hanging on our wall.)

Sarah said: "This poem was written by someone who also wrote silly and funny children’s poems – and Christi liked that kind of thing."

“A Million Candles”
By Jack Prelutsky

A million candles fill the night,
They glister in the dark.
And though by day they hid their glow,
Now each displays its spark.

Amidst them all here is one light
That has s special shine,
And that’s the one whose name I know…
I think that it knows mine.

Christi & Sarah were like two peas in a pod! They had so many common characteristics - and the unique "ability" to spend hours on the phone talking and giggling together! Sarah's parents are both teachers so I was always comfortable talking with them. We'll always be filled with gratitude and we will never forget Sarah's kindness of calling out to Philadelphia and talking with Christi for lengthy periods when she was in the hospital. Christi loved it! I would sometimes step out to "give them their privacy" yet I was so charmed and amused I'd sometimes listen in too!

As Christi was preparing for what turned out to be her final trip to Philly she asked me if I packed her teddy bear. I had forgotten so she ran up to her bedroom for the final time and grabbed this special bear she made at Sarah's birthday party. I took this final picture of her in our kitchen and then for the last time in our home, she hugged and kissed me and walked out the door and got into the van. This was the bear which was tucked in her arms, she died with and I later gave to Sarah. Sarah's mom informed us that Sarah is glad to have the bear back, since she has it's twin (smile) and we're glad Christi had such a very special friend while here on earth.

Roughly Thirty Minutes Until Death. This is the last photo ever taken of a breathing Christi Thomas - September 19, 2006 approximately 8:20 AM This photo of Shayne gently touching Christi's arm reminds me......I believe we were "touched by an Angel"