Support For Christi Thomas

This blog is to help offer support to the Thomas Family and their daughter, Christi, in her battle against cancer. Please visit Christi's website at www.ChristiThomas.com to learn more. There, you'll find journals, photos and a lots of other information about this amazing child and her family.

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Monday, August 27, 2007

Wallpaper and Fender Benders

Thank you, sweet Bloggers! Today was better. I thank the good Lord for that; Shayne and I sat on the couch until the early hours last night just crying and holding each other for hours. I am so thankful I am not a single parent. I know how blessed I am to have this wonderful family. I've decided two things: bloggers are too kind and ripping down wallpaper is a good stress reliever!

Leave it to Christi's sweet supports to remind ME that Christi's bear was named "Vanilla" not "Cinnamon" (Cinnamon was her friend, Sarah's bear - oops!) and for another sweetheart to locate the picture I couldn't find. (see comments) That, along with a few emails I received from angels on earth telling me how Christi touched their lives really helped me cheer up after school today. School was pretty rough. And then there was the little "fender bender" that ended up having Christi written all over it.

I took Shayla to her horse riding lessons after school and grandpa went along. (See picture.) He bought her new riding boots last week since she outgrew and even put a hole in her old pair (Actually, they were Christi's little riding boots from Walmart and are now in the garbage.) Then I ran into town and went to the library. When I came out there was a lady there saying, "I hit your truck. I've called the police. I'm so sorry." I could only laugh and ask her if she was ok, thinking I know what's important in life and this isn't a big deal. She said, "You're kidding. You mean I sat here and worried some big farmer was going to come out to his truck, yell at me and pull out a gun. You are so nice." I responded that I was glad she was ok, but it was my father-in-law's rental truck and I'd better call and tell him. Of course I'm thinking in my head, "Oh no, there is a HUGE dent in the side of Lowell's rental truck. I wonder if he got insurance." (Whew, he did!) The police officer was very sweet and soon Lowell, Shayne and Shayla arrived. For whatever reason I responded to Shayla with, "Miss Shayla Thomas" and the lady - who lives in another town, said "Are you Christi Thomas's family??!!" I may be terribly sad, but I was very tickled that she knew Christi too. It's a small world (that had a special little girl).

Well, stressed spelled backwards is "DESSERTS!" but I figured I'd better do something healthy after dinner tonight so Shayla and I skipped dessert and took to the bathroom where we started washing and pulling down the old "country peach" flowery wallpaper that has been in our home since we moved in back in 1993. For two years I've been talking about turning our bathroom into a "NYC Theme" bathroom and we are now in the midst of it! (I'll share a picture when it's finished because everyone will want to see a bathroom, right?! hee he he heeeee!) Seriously, NYC was the city that gave us many more years with Christi and put us in touch with tremendous friends who enriched and blessed our lives in countless ways. I think it'll be a nice "subtle" tribute to Christi and to the great memories we treasure of our eight months of living in NYC and the many who helped us along the way.

17 Comments:

At 27/8/07 8:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Thomas team! I apologize that I didn't write yesterday (though of course I did read it :) I'm glad today was better (and I even remembered the bear's actual name, and if I'm not mistaken Shayla is wearing one of Christi's shirts). The world may seem big but when you're car's hit by someone who knew of your daughter, it does get smaller doesn't it? Glad all was resolved and it wasn't a "hit and run" situation.

I had to give in to an 80 calorie creamsicle tonight so I commend you both for a healthier after dinner activity. Can't wait to see the new bathroom theme, sounds so appropriate for that NYC CT :) Oh I miss that little "sand flea" as you once called her.

Anna

 
At 27/8/07 9:31 PM, Blogger Frapper said...

I'm glad today was a better day for you. I admit I'm intrigued by the idea of the NYC themed bathroom and eagerly await photos of it. I hope tomorrow's another good day; it's neat to see how many people have heard about Christi and how she's touched so many lives.

 
At 27/8/07 9:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Thomas family,
Oh, I am so glad you had a better day today--maybe the tears were healing, even though you probably wonder how you have any left. After reading your post yesterday, I spent an hour or so reading back through Aug. and Sept. of 2006--that was brutal to read about, I can't imagine living through it. I am struck, however, at how God really carried you through it with grace and allowed you to plan such an amazing send off for an amazing girl, in spite of your suffering. Christi's story will always be with me, and I hope that she helps me remember what's important (not fender benders, but beauty, kindness, family, learning, and fun!). Thanks for being so honest.

Prayers for a peace that passes understanding as you endure this next month,

Alison in TN

 
At 27/8/07 9:48 PM, Blogger Jennifer (Kids Cancer Crusade) said...

I am so glad that today was better for you. I think of you, Shayne & Shayla all the time. That is too ironic about the fender bender...but I imagine that almost anywhere you go you would be able to find someone that knew of Christi. She touched so so many lives! And continues to!

A few years ago a friend told me "Stressed is desserts spelled backwards. Coincidence? I think not. Dig in." and I basically live by it. Hehe I'm glad you went the healthier route! =)

 
At 28/8/07 6:29 AM, Blogger HeatherB said...

I'm glad that yesterday was a bit better for you.

I can't wait to see pictures of the NYC bathroom. What fun!

May God wrap His loving arms around you and hold you close.

I love you all dearly!!

Lots and lots of love and prayers
Heather

 
At 28/8/07 7:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's a great idea for the bathroom. Can't wait to see it. (really :) I check your website first thing every weekday when I get to work to see what's new with the Thomas family. You're always doing something fun & special with Shayla. She is extremely lucky to have you both in her life. There is a lot of Christi in that precious little girl of yours, as I'm sure you can see every time you look at her. Even though she is her own person, Christi does live on in Shayla. I lift you up in prayer each night knowing God will get you through the days & years ahead. Faithful blogger from St. Louis.
Love,
Debbie

 
At 28/8/07 7:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers. Let the emotions flow -- it's alright and understandable! Christi was and continues to be such an inspiration to so many -- may that bring you comfort in the coming days.

 
At 28/8/07 9:03 AM, Blogger nikki the red said...

these days i find myself "missing" christi too, and i've never met her.

thank you for bringing her into the world. God blessed her with you and Shayne as parents and Shayla as a sister.

 
At 28/8/07 10:43 AM, Blogger Rebekah said...

Thomas Family! I continue to think of all of you as the month of August comes to an end and September begins ... as the flood gates open up on all the feelings you are sharing I marvel in your strength ... your family has always had amazing strength and a positive outlook on all that Christi endured. I don't have any words to comfort you during this time but I do want you to know your Christi meant more to so many of us than you may imagine. The fact that a woman and the fender bender knew Christi was amazing! She is still playing those tricks on you isn't she? God Bless you all ... thank you for sharing so much of your journey and of course for the pictures of your family! I look forward to seeing the completed bathroom ... being a native NY'er!

Love from my family to yours!
Rebekah Clark
Prior Lake, MN
mommy_jaden@yahoo.com

 
At 28/8/07 11:26 AM, Blogger Bella Stevens said...

What a wonderful post! I haven't been through what you've been through but I've been through close as I personally want to be with Hell. I have held close to those who enrich my life and continue to support me with love and understanding. As far as the fender bender. I wished you were the one I ran into 3 hours after I got my learners permit in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The guy was evil and nasty! I barely did a visable thing to his 3 week old truck (hehe!) The bathroom sounds beautiful good luck with that project!

 
At 28/8/07 12:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dearest Angela,

As ever I struggle to find words to let you know how much you, Shayne & Shayla are in my thoughts at the moment but I hope that my love & prayers somehow reach you.

Without doubt Christi was among the most special people who have ever existed - she has touched so many lives in such a profound way but none more than the 3 of you. It is desperately unfair that she is not still here with you where she belongs & was so happy but I count myself as one of the many who are lucky enough to know her and have her (and you other 3 Thomas's) as a part of my life (even from thousands of miles away - I wish you were closer!).

Sometimes I forget that Christi was only 9 years old because she taught us all so many important lessons about life & just about being human. You are right to be so proud of your special angel and I know that she'll be extremely proud of her mom, dad & little sister right now.

I'm not sure if it helps to know this but Christi's 'Gone too Soon' website in England has had over 2000 visitors now & 510 virtual candles have been lit in her memory and there are some together beautiful tributes to your amazing daughter. I know from some of these comments that she is inspiring people more than ever & that your journey has become a part of the life of so many other families of young angels (especially some with NB & other nasty cancers). I'm so glad that Christi is still able to help people in this way but I'm so very sorry that it had to be like this. I just wish that it could be different for you all.

Anyway, I'm sending lots of love & prayers & strength to my 'Thomas friends' across the ocean tonight & every night & will be sending more & more to help you all through the next few weeks. (Angela - I'm amazed at your courage at work).

Lots of love to the 3 of you.

Nicky (England)

PS - Angela, yep, I can definitely recommend wallpaper stripping!!!!

 
At 28/8/07 4:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do believe that every living thing was put down here to serve a purpose. I don’t think Christi’s purpose was merely to learn, but instead, to teach.

Ive learned that you don’t always win the war in which you were chosen to fight. Its long its hard and its god damned bloody, and there are times when we fall down ((hard)) and its so painful and exhausting, but something tells us to carry on fighting….even if that fighting means being picked up and carried to safety for a while, to recover. But in Christi’s case not to recover fully, because the time came when her light had to go out here, only to be relit someplace else.

When your story ends, another life close is transformed into something beautiful, and that life is put on a journey through healing and purpose….a death isnt just a death. Cancer isnt just a disease. Through the loss of health, or through the loss of a special person….i think something changes within you and you start to notice the reality somewhat, you become more aware of the reason you were chosen to walk this lane. And from the pain of the journey becomes something so beautiful, even if it does hurt for a while. Even forever.

You begin to take a divert from the lane you started walking, and submerge onto another less grassy road, where you learn all kinds of new things…..but most importantly. What you really want out of life.

Without a doubt, Christi was born to teach worldwide through her 4 year battle with cancer. I think your family unit, as a team, were displayed to the world through this blog to teach us strength. All of us. Christi’s story has already taught so many lessons, and those lessons have therefore made others, like myself, stop and really think about what we really want out of life.

She has done exactly this, for me, and im sure for thousands of others that have happened to stumble across it….she has made such a difference. And I don’t think it will stop here, infact with parents like you, I don’t think she will ever stop making a difference.

Thank you Shayne and Angela. ((and little Shayla too))

 
At 28/8/07 4:30 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

yayy i'm glad you had a good day!! hahah wow i never knew desserts was stressed backwards! haha.. ooh i want to see a picture of your new bathroom!! (cuz i actually like that kinda thing haha)
xoxo!
*Caroline*

 
At 28/8/07 9:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Angela, Shayne and Shayla,

Something keeps bringing me back to Christi's website. She was such an extraordinary little girl, with those beautiful blue eyes! (Shayla's got 'em, too!). My mom died when I was little, so I know how important it is to you that people don't forget Christi. Now brace yourself...........because I am sure this will make you feel much better...............some random stranger who lives in a suburb of Philadelphia thinks of sweet Christi EVERY time I drive down that doggone Schylkill Expressway!!!! :) Seriously, I do. Is that pathetic of me? Perhaps, but every time I'm on that highway I think of your beautiful Christi...the wonderful life that she lived, and the fact that after she died, this world was a better place simply because Christi had been a part of it.

I pray for God to hold you close and hope that you can feel his presence in your lives.

 
At 29/8/07 10:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow, it's amazing how many lives Christi has touched in her short 9 years. Although I'd much rather this have just been a terrible nightmare and Christi would come back, so much good has come from her amazing life.

Wow, that picutre of Shayla and the one of Christi with the kitty definitely look similar, beautiful sisters!

P.S-It's a girl! We just found out on monday that my sister will be having a little girl. This will be my first time being an aunt so I'm excited! Her due date is February 9th-11th, right around a sweet little 8 year olds birthday :)

 
At 29/8/07 9:20 PM, Blogger Rebekah said...

Just stopping by to say I am thinking of all of you today ... hope things are ok with the fender bender and the bathroom is coming along ... I will continue to pray for you as you relive these horrible memories ... I hope the good ones flow into your memories even more now that ever before ...

God Bless!
Love from my family to your!

Rebekah Clark
Prior Lake, MN

www.jadenalexandra.blogspot.com

 
At 30/8/07 1:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a total stranger and found Christi's blog as i was searching the neuroblastoma links. I am a pediatric nurse in RI and have taken care of numerous children with cancer in my 26+ years as a pediatric RN. I occassionally search thru blogs....Christi's, for some reason has touched my heart. I will continue to read and see what a remarkable girl she was.
Just know my prayers are with you all.
God Bless...

 

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