Track and Texas!

All is well with the Thomas team! Shayla is keeping us busier than ever! In addition to her many dance classes, she's added track to our schedule. It's been a lot of fun! Shayla is running hurdles. I have a sweet university student, who just happens to have a hurdle record or two, and she worked a few sessions up in the field house with Shayla before the season began. That gave Shayla a big confidence boost. (Pic: Icing her shin splints with frozen veggies suggested by my BG student - too funny!) Getting cut from making the volleyball team at the beginning of the school year was pretty tough, so the fact that her school doesn't cut for 7th grade track has been FANTASTIC! After Christi died I felt Shayla was the reason we got out of bed every day and keep on going. Truly, that continues! She has no idea what a blessing she is and how grateful we are for her! Some days when I get terribly sad or down missing Christi, I try to think of the tremendous gift Shayla is and that helps. We've also been very busy, as a family, working on something that may likely take two or three years to complete, but it's been on my "bucket list" for a long, long time and I think we may very well, with a lot more hard work and time, actually make it a reality!




I'm just finishing a trip to San Antonio, Texas. I've never been here before and I've found it to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. I only wish Shayne and Shayla could have gone with me. I made a presentation at a conference (Thank God it went incredibly well!) and then spent a lot of time working on my writing in cafes sitting beside the Riverwalk - simply gorgeous and pretty productive, a wonderful place to think and write!

Flying to Texas, I purchased some seasons of the Dallas Cowboys' Cheerleaders Reality TV shows to help me pass the time. Wow! They are impressive dancers and women; I really enjoyed the various episodes and I think Shayla - with all of the dance classes she takes each week - will want to watch them too! I told Shayne I was so spoiled I couldn't imagine ever traveling without my iPad again. We've said many times how helpful that would have been with all of the traveling and waiting in hospitals and doctors' offices we did with Christi. We always called it her "Entertainment Bag" and it was packed full (and heavy) of things we would use to keep her mind occupied: books, arts/crafts, games, science projects, etc. An iPad would have made that horrific stage in our life so much easier. Perhaps in addition to the scholarships we will soon be giving to graduating Seniors, we should add an iPad or two for some cancer children in treatment.

Park City Utah: Susan & Brooke R. - Wow! I had no idea we were so close! Thanks for your posts! I'm sure we will be back to ski and I'd love to meet you in person! Thanks for all!

Terribly Sad News & Spring Break

I thought it was very important, after hearing from authorities, to post the criminal investigation that is going on with Hope Jackson. (And nearly immediately that post provide us with more information - thank you!) That post, however, prevented me from sharing some terrible news, the news of a neuroblastoma death - the death of a most amazing woman! Shayne first met the incredible Anna O'Conner when she was 18 years old and was in attendance at the Neuroblastoma Conference in Chicago. He described her as an incredibly beautiful, bright and well spoken 18 year old recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She asked a researcher at the conference, "Why is my disease so stubborn?" I don't believe Anna was ever NED, but she set the world on fire for a decade with her spark and spunk living with the disease and creating awareness like no one else could! Typically, Neuroblastoma in adults is very slow growing and therefore I thought she might just be one to make it because she was diagnosed as an adult. I bawled like a baby when I learned she died on leap day. I can't wait to see her in Heaven because she is one awesome woman! May her family some day find peace and comfort. They are an incredible family and certainly did not deserve this. http://www.annabanana.org/

I also share other horrific news and ask you to pray for all the families involved. Sixteen members of one of our sororities (Alpha Xi Delta) were going to enjoy their spring break in the Dominican Republic, instead they are attending funerals of their sisters. Two cars, each carrying 5 girls, were on their way to the airport Friday morning when a 69 year old female driver, going the wrong direction on Interstate 75, came upon the cars. The first car swerved and missed the car going the wrong way, but then it hit the second car of girls head on. Four of the five girls are students in our College of Education at BGSU. Three of them died (along with the 69 year old driver of the other car) and the other two BGSU students are in critical condition. Our students were not at fault in any way and the State Highway Patrol say they could have done nothing to avoid it. Here is a link to this terrible story:

http://www.13abc.com/story/17062676/2012/03/02/multiple-car-crash-closes-i-75-nb-near-bowling-green

I'm not sure why I was permitted to drive the same road to the airport & safely arrive in Florida for spring break when these young women had their lives suddenly cut short. I've lived a full life and theirs were just getting started. I feel terribly guilty, yet I trust in God and his plan - even though I have MANY questions about this senseless tragedy. Please pray for BGSU and all involved. Rest in peace, fellow falcons. I am sooooo sorry!

I have been enjoying amazing weather & family in Florida! Something about grading papers in the sun makes everything better & reminds me of how incredibly blessed I am! Shayne took Shayla and some friends Square Dancing Friday night. They had a great time! At one point Shayne texted, "It's hard for these boys to spin the girls when they're a foot shorter!" LOL! Gotta love middle school!

Criminal Charges Filled against Hope Jackson

This site may have been pirated by Hope Jackson (DOB: 07/18/1976).

Arlington, Texas Police Report ##11-76809

Hope Jackson has been charged with theft by deception / fraud.

Over a number of years, Hope Jackson has allegedly used Christi’s story and pictures to scam others. This is continuing to happen. As you can imagine, we are disgusted, sickened and deeply disturbed by all of this. There is an ongoing criminal investigation with charges filed against her in many states. I am not yet able to share details, or to post her photos, social security number, address, etc. at this time. I can tell you that we were alerted to this many months ago and decided to remain silent, except for cooperating with the authorities who have been investigating Hope Jackson.

If you think you are being victimized, or have been victimized, please contact:

Sergeant Cable Johnson
Cable.Johnson@arlingtontx.gov
Arlington Police Department
620 West Division St.
Arlington, TX 76011
(817) 459-5670

With gratitude,
Shayne, Angela & Shayla Thomas