TRIBUTE TO SHELAGH

Dear Shelagh,
I am so sorry.
Love,
Betty

Shelagh,
sorry to hear about your cousin. Was it an untimely death?

Dearest Shelagh,

I knew that while you were dealing with this forum you were dealing with your cousin's illness. It just goes to prove that one never knows what someone is going through in their lives, and you were hoping and praying and keeping us going on this forum at the same time.

You deserve our love, prayers, as well as your family. I know this cousin meant a lot to you, was in your wedding, and you need our sympathy and love.

You have it from me Shelagh and it appears I am not alone.

Come here, not as our leader, but as someone who needs this forum for support and love. I went to see my cousins in Texas last fall. It was sort of a bucket list event and renewed love and friendship. Cousins are very special people to be honored in our lives.

Love, Carol

Abe F. March wrote:

Shelagh,
sorry to hear about your cousin. Was it an untimely death?

4/17/2010


Abe..

I feel this is a rude question to ask, if someone
asked me that about my sister when she died last July
I would be upset...


Joe

Joe,
if caring is rude, I'm guilty.

I didn't ask the cause of death, just if it was untimely, as in something unexpected.

Thanks everyone for the concern and condolences.

Abe, you have a lot on your mind at the moment and probably didn't link the death of my cousin with my cousin's loss of one of her legs -- it was the same cousin who was diagnosed with terminal cancer in early February. I learned of my cousin's illness from my brother the same day an anonymous guest posted a link to the blog that tried but failed to rip the forum apart. Now, the blogger is claiming that it was just a bit of fun to idle away a few spare moments (over 200 posts in ten weeks -- an average of 20 posts a week, which is just less than three posts a day and many of those posts have Updates I, II and even III). Meanwhile, we all had to cope with whatever was going on in our real lives, while members of a rival forum posted comments about members here. Of course, they did it to prove that they were better than us.

I have had people ask why I was in a wheel chair, "did I have an accident?" some have asked. I have said, "No, I have cancer."

They then sometimes apologize for asking, but I always tell them that is all right. Why do we have hang ups about these things?

I so appreciate the handicapped assessable entries and bathrooms, handicap parking places, and if these are too much government involvement, I become angry because they have given me and others freedom we would not have had.

Then there is the kindness of those who open doors, remove chairs in restaurants for easier seating, and have even held bathroom doors for me I was unable to lock.

If we are asked and then speak what we can, we have made a new friend, or compassion, or understanding, or even love and caring. I am interested in others. If someone needs a door held because they have a heart condition or are visually impaired, or some remote reason, I am always glad to see others ready to step in and help.

We have taken my autistic grandson out to eat. He bounces when he walks. He doesn't look like a normal person, but to us he is normal. And those around us look at us and see we are smiling and happy, and then figure the whole thing is all right.

Ah, life. How many rules we have for what we say and don't.

And with Shelagh, who was dealing with personal family sadness while being harrassed for no reason than someone's desire to cause difficulties to another they really knew nothing about is unconscionable. We never know what others are dealing with.

There is absolutely nothing rude with asking why someone is in a wheel chair, or why a loved one died.

Love, Carol

My cousin is standing on the right of the photograph (on my left):

Shelagh,
I didn't make the connection, and thanks for your response.
The picture reveals a special closeness.

Carol,
I share your feelings about handicapped people. It's comforting when you see people ready to offer a helping hand.

Abe, the most amazing are the reactions of children. There were many handicapped people at my grandson's wedding. My autistic grandson. three in wheel chairs and several with oxygen tanks. The most heart warming was a little boy of about six in a walker, apparently having cerebral palsy. All the five, six, and seven year olds got together and not a one of them seemed to notice one was different. They just all got out there dancing in their own ways.

Shelagh, she is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the picture. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Love, Carol

4/18/2010

Shelagh..

That is a great photo and your cousin
was a beautiful girl, always treasure in your mind
and heart the beautiful memories you had together.


Love Joe

Shelagh,

My condolences, I am sorry for your loss.

God Bless,

Don

Thank you Don. I really appreciate your comment.

Shelagh, my prayers are going out to you and your family.
Hugs,
Vickie

I'm sorry for your loss Shelagh. Best regards
Mike

Shelagh,

I'm sorry to hear your sad news. My condolences to your family.

Thank you for the condolences Vickie, Mike and Jenny.