I will continue to update this as time allows.  I have some old photos that I will scan - most of my old pictures are still packed and out in the garage in one of the many boxes.  I will do the best I can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you, Dad, for being there when I needed you.  I know that it must have been difficult for you to come to Florida after mom's death.  You were there, and I am eternally grateful.  I am so blessed to have you in my life.  I want you to know that. 

 

To Denise:

 

You are an amazing and beautiful woman.  You are not responsible for everyone.  But there is power in your position.  We all look up to you and love you because of your success.  And because of what you did for all of us when we were children, we are forever grateful to you.  You are strong and courageous.  I love you.  I admire everything about you - especially your driving skills.  I tried to beat your record of 80 miles an hour through the short cut, came close but you still hold the record.  Remember spending the summer in South Dakota on Grandpa and Grandma's farm?  Thunder, Lightening, Very Very Frightening... 

 

To Kelly:

 

When I think of you, I think of how beautiful you are.  Your soul is gentle and true.  You give without asking anything in return.  I love you.  You were the one that helped me when Megan and I had nowhere else to go.  Thank you for everything...  Thank you for loving me.  I really am sorry for taking you down with me and our motorcycle accident.  I'm sorry that you always got stuck with me!  At least I was the one to get the broken nose.  Black eyes and all!  I wish we could go back sometimes.  I promise I would be a more cautious driver!

 

To Stacy:

 

I love you, Stacy.  You are very beautiful.  No one can make me laugh like you do.  You have a sense of humor that I wish I could emulate.  I wish we could go back to the days when we worked at Lord Jim's.  Only you would think of things like hide and seek in the basement at one o'clock in the morning.  Your playfulness is wonderful and refreshing...  Remember the Great Train Experience?  Everytime I hear the Talking Heads song "And She Was"  it brings back those memories!

 

To Jeanelle:

 

We were best buddies when you were little.  I loved bringing you places!  I'm sure you could have done without the horseback riding, but how lucky I was that you were there.  I remember when we were suppose to be watching you while you were taking a nap.  How we panicked when we went to check up on you and you were gone.  All of us girls were crying and the entire neighborhood and the Anoka Police Department went out on foot or snowmobile to help find you.  How joyful it was when mom drove up into the yard, and you came out of the car!  We never heard mom tell us that she was taking you with her.  I think you are beautiful and I love you so much...

 

To Julie:

 

I love you!  I miss my Swisher Sweet buddy!  Remember the nights we spent playing cards and smoking cigars in the front yard?   You are truly beautiful inside and out.  I wish we could go back to the days when we had our own softball team.  We were so bad, but it was so much fun.  You were the one that was most talented.  The ball was always out of the park when you came up to bat.  Nancy was also great, because she really could pitch!  It was the rest of us that needed a little more practice.  But I think I did ok on first, don't you?

 

To Kathy:

 

I really love you, Kathy;  even though you gave me the evil eye when I bunny hopped all over the house at first.  It was alot more fun when you decided to join in!  You have the most beautiful brown eyes that I have ever seen!  Your heart and soul shine through your eyes and you are very beautiful.  Let's get everyone together for a volleyball game out front.  Wouldn't that be fun?  When all of us were together we could really have a great time.  I really miss those days...

 

To Sue:

 

Thank you for everything you have done for me!  For a while there, I had the cutest little belly button pierce.  What a time we had going to Spider's Tatoo, and after that the Gay 90's.  They always had the best dance music.  I want to thank you especially for giving me my dignity back during chemotherapy.  I will always be grateful and love you dearly for that.  It was wonderful to be with you and Maury.  I still get compliments on every one of the wigs I purchased at Sunny's.  My fellow chemo patients always want to know where to go.  Thank you for saving me from looking like I was wearing road kill!  I would like to know your secret, however.  You just continue to get more beautiful as time goes on.  I love you...

 

Your friendship is a wonderful thing!  I'm so glad that we are able to keep in touch and that we will still be able to see you from time to time.  You are amazing people...  We love you and your family very much!

 

 

 

You are an incredibly beautiful person!  I'm so glad that we finally met one another and that we are keeping in touch.  Our family prays for you and you are in our hearts and in our thoughts.  God can do amazing things for us in our lives.  He loves you deeply!  We love you, too...

 

 

God has blessed us with your friendship.  We so appreciate everything you have done for us.  When we met yesterday, it felt like we have been friends forever.  What a wonderful blessing!  Joanne, you are a special gift from God...

 

 

We miss you and think of you often.  Sammy and Jenna, thank you for your prayers.  You have the most beautiful hearts!  You will always be my Sunshine and Breath of Fresh Air!  God has wonderful plans in store for you both.  Thank you for all you have done for our family.  Thank you for the happiness and joy you have especially given to me...

 

 

We have known each other for so long.  Your voice brings me a feeling of peace, and the comfort of home.  You are an amazing woman, mother, and friend.  I know that your church has also been praying for us, as well as you and your family.  It is good that we have found one another again.  Childhood memories of being with you and your family are kept in my heart, and are most cherished.  I love you.

 

 

My sister in knowing what it is to be battling this thing called cancer.  You were a good neighbor and friend.  I think of you often, and pray for you.  Thank you for being so good to Megan, for being there for her.  I am a better person because of you, and so is Megan.  Heartfelt thanks and love we send your way. 

 

 

I love you both, probably more than you even realize.  I have known you and your family for so long that I forget we are not related.  You have been so good to my Dad and Mom through the years.  You have been so good to my family, also.  I know that Megan and Drew have grown to love you dearly.  Drew still brings up the time we came to visit you, when mom was still alive, at the Pow-wow.  I have fond memories and I do really love you.  God bless you and keep you safe, warm and loved...

 

 

It is no accident that I purchased your Bible somewhere along the way.  Once again, God, in His infinite wisdom, brought you back into my life.  You continue to amaze me with your faith, friendship and strength.  I thank you and your Bible Study Class for the ongoing prayers and support you have shown me during this time of great need.  What a joy you are to me!  You are also in my prayers.  I thank God that He guided me into your life after all of these years.  Thank you for your love.  Thank you for everything! 

 

 

I cannot believe the extent of your generosity, concern and your goodness!  I have never before experienced such an outpouring of caring and giving that each and every one you has extended to us.  It is greatly appreciated.  All of you have been a source of comfort, joy, strength and faith.  I hope that one day I will be able to give back to you as much as you have given us.  I am so glad to be here, to have the blessing of living among the most kind and thoughtful people.  Thank you, sincerely, genuinely, and in deepest gratitude...

 

 

You both are wonderful people.  You are in our prayers.  I am blessed to know you and to once have been a part of your family.  Thank you for keeping in touch with us.  It has been a strength and comfort for me.  It also brings the feeling of home to us down here, where family is so far away.  My love and gratitude will always be yours...  Thank you...

 

 

I have such fond memories of you and your family.  The trials in this life are at times, overwhelming.  Without the support of loving people like yourselves, it would be nearly impossible to cope with the heartaches.  I love you all dearly.  I always have, and I always will.  Thank you for reaching out during this time in my life.  Please know that my prayers are with you...  Please know how much you and everyone in your family, mean to me.  My love to you...

 

 

I pray for complete healing;  physical, emotional and spiritual healing for each and every single one of you!  I love you all and thank you for your friendship.  We can and will overcome this!  Keep praying!  Keep loving!  Keep believing!  Keep fighting!  Keep living with everything that you've got!  We are courageous and beautiful women!  Together, we are stronger.  I know that I am a better human being because you are in my life.  Thank you for that.  With Christ, all things are possible!  Miracles can and will happen!  Hold on to your faith, let go and let God give you shelter...

 

The Serenity Prayer

 

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference...

 

Jesus Prayer

 

Our Father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

thy kingdom come

thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven

give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us

lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

for Thine is the kinddom, and the power,

and the glory forever!  Amen

 

 

Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple;  and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them.  Never again will they hunger;  never again will they thirst.  The sun will not bear upon them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;  He will lead them to springs of living water.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...