And Then There Was One
August 2006 (CT - 9, (5th grade), Shayla - 7 1/2(2nd grade)
Only through His grace.......I made it! Just taking the pictures, first thing this morning, with one child instead of two was a killer. We put on our happy face for Shayla, but.....there was definitely not smiles on the inside. Seeing all of the sixth graders together in the gym, where I had to wait to meet my seventh grade homeroom students, was more than challenging. I kept trying not to look at them, yet I couldn't help but notice how much bigger they were. What would Christi have looked like had she had the chance to live another year? Throughout the day I tried to avoid her class so I wouldn't break down, yet some of the sweeties came over to my room and gave me hugs and told me hellos. Aren't God's people good?! Even though it about killed me, it was terribly sweet! I called Shayne at lunch only to learn he was have a most challenging day as well. We just miss her so and this was always such an exciting time - the start of school! I know things could be worse, so I will continue to tell myself that even though the lump in my throat just won't leave my body. Shayla had a great day, as an 8 year old in the third grade! Go, Shayla!
During my lunch break, I started to read the "interest surveys" I had my students complete so that I can get to know them better. Under "Who do you most admire and why?" one boy wrote "Christi Thomas because she lived with a smile and kept on going despite her illness." Now my analysis of this young man so far is not that he's a "kiss up" so I was incredibly moved! I couldn't finish the bowl of soup I packed for my lunch. (I dropped too many tears into it.)
After school, on the first day of school, Christi with her third grade teacher. (2004, age 7)
A yearly tradition: The after school picture by "the sign". Shayla with her teacher (The same 3rd grade teacher Christi had which I think is also making it so hard.)
posted by the Thomas team @ 7:39 PM
10 Comments:
I commend you on getting through this first day despite how incredibly difficult it was. The only good news is that it's out of the way and hopefully Shayla's smiling face will help you get through each day from here on out. Little Miss Shayla looks so excited, especially in the last picture!
Your 7th graders are amazing. That's so precious for that child to have said that about your amazing Christi. She's admired by people of all ages around the world and will forever be loved and missed here on earth.
I was thinking of you all day long and praying for your strength.
I'm just so sorry that Christi wasn't there in school with you all.
I love you all!
With Love and prayers,
Heather
Shayla looks TALL! In the pictures of the two of you next to each other it seems she must have grown 4 inches in the past year! Wow! Looks like she's about the same hight now as Christi was last year.
So glad you made it through today. It just doesn't seem like a year ago I was reading the poem Christi wrote and agonizing school myself. It's unreal. A whole year. You just have to wonder what she really would look like. But you never know. Maybe Christi decided that 9 was a good age to stay in Heaven and she'll be still be 9 when you get there. Then she'll grow up with you watching. I kinda like that thought.
7th graders are the best! Not that I'm at all bias because I'm going into 8th grade this year, but... Sounds like a good kid, hope you gave a great year with him.
Hugs and good luck
-Micaela
Oh Angela. I am so glad you made it through this day. I hope the days get easier to handle from here on out..
As far as Shayla goes, She has grown so TALL!!!!! She is truly becoming such a beautiful young lady. (but i guess we knew that already). She has such a bright smile. I am so glad her day went well.
I will pray for some comfort in your heart as the days go by.
In my Prayers always,
Staci C. in NJ
My heart goes out to all of you. I can't imagine how difficult the day was for you.
Sending all my love,
Olivia
Thomas Team,
Seeing the pics in today's post really hit me--to see your girls on the first day of school last year, and this year....to see one person not in the picture....brought my own tears. I cannot imagine how hard these days are; I just wish for continued strength for the Thomas Team, for your peace and comfort...I sense Christi herself is at peace knowing her family is doing well.
It is amazing to see Shayla grow and mature this past year, living with as much strength and courage as her sister. She is truly a blessing, an exceptional child in her own right. She will always have a special angel watching over her.
My heart aches for your loss, but I will always be in awe of the courageous and graceful manner Christi lived her much-too-short life. Christi lives on in you and in the hearts of the countless lives she has touched.
All my love,
Shirley in NY
ps. That amazing story you told in your last post did not surprise me :-) That's the effect Christi had on people.
In the last year that I have been reading your blog, I cannot help but notice how much Shayla has changed in the last year. She looks so much more grown up then last year. Prayers that these next few days get easier for your family.
Angela - Shayne and Shayla! FINALLY I got the blogger to work at work ... I am sorry I haven't posted in a while ... I was thinking of you today as I have everyday since the first day I "met" Christi in December of 2006 ... it was heartbreaking to look at the pictureof Shayla's first day of school and to see your arm empty of sweet Christi ... as my "baby" heads off for her first day of Kindergarten in less than 2 weeks I find my mind wandering to your family and the immense loss and heartache you are feeling ... if I could I would try to take your pain away but taking the pain away would erase who Christi is ... she will always be remembered by so many who knew her and by people like me ... who "knew" her but never "met" her ... Thinking of you all!
**hoping the flood in Findlay aren't close to you ... I know Tiffin is close to Findlay but hopefully you are all safe and dry ... here in MN it is pretty wet and we've also had flooding unseen in 100 years ... 17" of rain fell over the weekend ... hope you're safe**
God Bless!
Love from my family to yours ...
Rebekah Clark
Prior Lake, MN
mommy_jaden@yahoo.com
When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
This is beautiful! Try not to cry.
She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: "How is my little boy ? Is he going to be all right ? When can I see him ?"
The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."
Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer ? Doesn't God care any more ? Where were you, God, when my son needed you ?"
The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son ? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university."
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair. "Would you like a lock of his hair ?" the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.
The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. "I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom." She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."
Sally walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.
The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room.
She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The letter said:
"Dear Mom, I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old s tuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD ! And guess what, Mom ? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom ? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I thi n k Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him 'Where was He when I needed him ?' "God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool ? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery ! How about that ?
Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me.
(Let's see Satan stop this one.) Take 60 seconds and repost this, within the hour, you will have caused a multitude of believers to pray to God for each other. Then sit back and feel the Holy Spirit work in your life for doing what you know God loves "When you're down to nothing, God is up to something."
I want to tell you that I have been keeping up with your journey for almost a year now and I've been inspired by your strength and ability to keep going.
Also, my son started kindergarten this year and we have now started the tradition of taking flowers to his teacher on the first day of school. This is all thanks to you for giving me the wonderful idea!
Sasha German in Austin, Texas
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