September 19th

To all who were so kind to lift us up in prayer and / or who emailed or posted comments, please know how very much we appreciate your kind words. You gave us great comfort this weekend, as always.

Many thanks,
the Thomas team

My "freaky" moment of the weekend was when I sat on a bale of straw to watch Shayla play some of the many kids' games the festival committee sets up for the children. Christi loved that area. While watching the kids, a little blond girl came over to me. SHE WAS WEARING ONE OF CHRISTI'S SHIRT! Christi picked it out in Columbus when she was 8. After Shayla outgrew it. I donated it. It was so freaky! I felt like it was God's way of letting me know that Christi was with us right then. I whispered to Shayne, "I KNOW that is Christi's old shirt." Wild, oh, so wild to have experienced that on September 19th.

(PIC: Christi at the Heritage Festival, age 8, nearly one year and three days before her death) Saturday morning, Shayla came down and saw me sitting and crying. She climbed up on my lap and asked what was wrong. I told her that Christi died three years ago this morning. She hugged me, cried with me and said, "We all miss Christi, mom." Then she added, "Remember that day when we decided we'd spend the entire day together playing in my room? Remember bringing us up grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch so we could try to stay there the whole day?" I remembered the event, but not the lunch menu. I told her how very much Christi loved her, even if she didn't want her playing in her room. She said, "I get that now. I wouldn't one someone really little coming in my bedroom and messing it all up either. I really liked it when Christi came in my room to play with me."

Princess Shayla and the Cute Princess Runner Ups. They enjoyed the parade. She thought it was neat they got to go right after the Mayor of Tiffin and then were able to watch the rest of the parade when they were finished. I kept looking at "Tiffin's Finest" and remembering Christi's funeral procession where they stood at the sharpest "attention", I'd ever seen, made me blink away tears.
Shay was so happy to see Casey (They were in the Music Man at the Ritz together in May). He restored this awesome bike, rode it in the parade and let her sit on it. So sweet! Just in case you are curious, Shayla said the seat was just leather - that's it - and that it was not comfortable at all. Guess I won't run out and buy one, hee hee!
With the Honorable State Representative Jeff Wagner and his beautiful family. (Carla fixed the three rips Shay had put in her dress at the wedding so that she was ready for the pageant. She's a sweetie, made all their outfits here too, amazing!)
Shayla enjoyed judging the "Frog Jumping Contest". Here she is with the winner. Isn't he cute?! (The boy, not the frog, hee hee!)








SUNDAY'S FESTIVAL:

It was so very nice to run into two of Christi's great friends at the festival. Since I'm no longer their teacher, I'd not seen them since late July. I was so happy to see their beautiful faces. I will always treasure the love, friendship and special treatment they always gave Christi.