"My SHEro" Written & Read by Cousin Shelby

"My SHEro" was written by Shelby, when she was 11 years old. She read it in church in September at Christi's funeral.

My SHEro can't be under too much pressure
Or play with her sister very long
But she'll be a ball of energy
And be tons of fun.

She's young
And starting to grow her hair back
And has beautiful blue eyes
She is like anybody else.

We love to put on shows
and do a million goofy things
We'll go on all the fun rides
Ignoring what people think.

She has taught me to be strong
No matter what the conditions are
She helped me to learn there is always
something, and it is always good.

My one definition of a hero
is someone strong
They don't have to be strong physically
but strong mentally.

My Cousin, Christi Thomas

Shelby's gifted teacher read the poem to Gil & Tina at the parent-teacher conference and that was the first they knew about it. The teacher told us that Shelby wrote this about someone very special that she looks up to in our family. I'm certain no one knew at that time that it would later be read at Christi's funeral service.

Taken at CHOP, while Christi was receiving at blood transfusion and the cousins were happily playing to pass the many hours.

"Flashes of Hope" - thanks for the great photos, treasured memories!


Shelby and Christi were 21 months apart in age and shared many of the same qualities. Both being identified and receiving special services for their giftedness and both girls taking an interest in art, music, science - and talking! When the girls would talk on the phone, they'd talk for lengthy periods of time. Christi liked to ask Shelby "quiz book" questions from her many American Girl quiz books she loved to take quizzes in. (Now those treasured books are even more important as Christi wrote the answers to the many questions about herself in those books I've now tucked away.)

Christi looked up to and adored her big cousin Shelby, most likely just as I looked up to an adored my big sister (Shelby's mother - Tina). Anything Shelby said or did was "perfect" and greatly admired by Christi. Even though the girls were nearly identical in size (due to Christi's large-for-her-size frame and Shelby's frame being petite) so I'd always giggle to myself when my sister would give us Shelby's hand-me-downs. They fit Christi right away and sometimes, even though they were actually too small, Christi would put them on and insist that her "Shelby Clothes" were perfect.

My sister says that Shelby has really been missing being able to play with Christi. She says that nobody else has that type of humor when they play and it’s just not the same. I know Christi would say that the feeling was mutual.

I don't think Shelby will ever know how highly Christi regarded her and how Christi perhaps thought Shelby "walked on water". We'll forever be grateful for her friendship, for her willingness to easily accept and love Christi and for always sharing that special little voice and giggle with Christi, making her happy and feel so "normal". Shelby richly blessed all of our lives with her special relationship with our little Angel. Certainly, Shelby must know that Christi is "there" when she needs someone to talk to or to receive some extra help. Christi was that kind of gal!

Shelby helps Christi pass the time while treating in Philadelphia (Spring 2006)
Decorating Easter Eggs! (April 2006)
Loving Life! (Christi's 8th Birthday, May 2005)
With Shelby at COSI (Traci joked to me, "Boy it's hard to get much Christi time when Shelby's around." So if "Harriet" said that - YOU KNOW JUST HOW MUCH Christi loved being with Shelby!)Jan. 2006
September 2004: Cousins - Shelby, Christi & Shayla

A Thanksgiving Chat at Grandma and Grandpa's (Nov. 2005)












THE COUSINS FORMED A BEAUTIFUL BOND OVER THE YEARS:

Kings Island (July 2006, CT - 9 years old)
Singing in Church (Summer 2005, CT - 8 years old)
Christi's First Holy Communion (April 2004, CT - nearly 7 years old)
Universal Studios (Florida) Christi's amazing birthday (Shelby & Christi: May 2003, CT - 6 years old)
Summer 2002: Christi, Shelby & Shayla (CT, 5 years old - shortly before diagnosis)
"The Cousins" Easter 2001: Shelby, Christi, William, Shayla & Ashley (CT, age 4)
Shelby & Christi play beauty shop - giving me a whole new look (2000, CT - age 3 years old)

With Shelby (Summer 1999, CT age two)
Christi's First Birthday (May 1998, CT is one!)
Baby Christi's Baptism (June 1997, CT five weeks old) Note Christi's beautiful gown! It was her GREAT Grandpa Falter's!!! It was nearly 90 years old and stunning.