Our Stories

Member Name	Member Story
Charma Quick	I lost my dad on March 6th 2008. My dad was murdered in his home. My sister and I found him. I will never forget that day. I never wanted to remember my dad like that. But that is my last memory of my father. I will always see him like that. My story is really hard to tell, but I have a poem i wrote for my dad that I would like to share: DAD, Years have past, Another Birthday too, Time goes so fast, We just wish we knew. Our pain grows deeper with each day that goes by, We wish we could go back and say our good-byes, We know you are in heaven where great men go, We will long for that special day when we say Hello. Our life without you has been very hard, We won’t forget our memories of us playing in the yard. Your grandsons will always remember your love, Because you’ll be watching them from above. We were blessed to have you in our lives, For you being our dad was the biggest prize.
Tonya Sterling	Hi Beverly..I think you already know my story..I am refering to my husband Larry, who has been battling cancer for a lil over 10 years..He has had reaccurences several times, but with prayers and GODS help, larry continues to beat this nasty disease..He has had multiple surgeries, chemo, and radiation over the year and he still comes out smiling.He is a real trooper and i love him very much!!! We all do!! He is a very special man .. Story II I just wanted to add to my story..i have had many loved ones who have gone to heaven. i love and miss this all dearly.. the most recent is my DADDY who passed away 3 yrs ago come june 14th. i have my good days and my bad days, even though its been almost 3 yrs, but he was a very special daddy. we got along very well..i would have done anything in the world for him, and he knew that, and he would have for me..I LOVE YOUDADDY!!!!
Scarlet Hillman	The last two years have been eaten up by my friend Jimmy Dooling and his death last year. I gave him and Pam all my love and support and would not have done anything any different. I was hoping for a new uncomplicated year, but unfortunately that will not happen. You see, my Mother has Alzheimers and this has been working on her for sometime. I spend my days and nights worrying about her and what the future holds. Deep down I know from working in the nursing home what to expect. I am great at giving the advice to families but I am not good at dealing with my own problems. Sorry to ramble but that is all I seem to do these days. Thanks for listening.
Kasey Hickman	My life has had many losses. From my Pop Pop Luck who I lost in 2001, my Nana in 2005, several classmates Samantha and Steven in 2005 and 2006, my longest employer Buddy in 2009, Pop in 2009 and many pets. Each has been difficult, but none more than Buddy. He was practically a second dad to me. He used to play games with my sister and I (How the grinch stole christmas and we always referred to him as the grinch, even though he was as far from it. I will never forget that phone call or the ride to the store. I cried more tears than I can remember, and continue to miss him, along with all my other dear family members and friends. I often cry at some of the things I see or even hear but I know that all of them are waiting for me in heaven.
Debbie Truitt	I lost my Mom on February 15, 2006. I watched her struggle and suffer through a year of Cancer treatments. As her health diminished, my sister and I spent every possible moment with her. We were blessed to be with her in her final moments and were able to say goodbye and tell her it was ok to go. There is not a day that passes that I do not miss her or want to share something with her. Everyone, please make the most of everyday with your loved ones.
Rose Wilkerson	My husband Bruce is batteling Lymphoma and has been for over a year. When we found out he had cancer we had been seeing doctors in this area for a year. We wanted a second opinion so we were sent to Johns Hopkins where he was diagnosed with cancer and an appointment was made for him to have a bioposy done on the node in his neck that was swollen. The biopsy showed Lymphoma. An appointment was made for us to see an Oncologist. The day we went for the appointment we were told he was in stagr four.and needed to be admitted immediately. He was admitted and test done only to find all bone marrow was gone from his right femur and needed a pin put in it, but they decided that he needed chemotherpy first as he had a tumor on his spine that was putting pressure on the spinal cord and if not treated could parylize him. He then had to go through five days of chemo and blood transfusions. He then had to spend two weeks in bed as his right leg was to week to support his weight and had a hairline fracture that was in danger. He could not have the surgery until his blood counts came up enough to go through the surgery. The week after his surgery he then had to have chemo again. He was in Hopkins for 7 1/2 weeks. He then had to return to Hopkins every three weeks to have chemo which included an Interfical(spinal tap with chemo) which is very painful. He had to have 6 sessions of this. Upon having his last treatment we were told he would be in remission for about 5 years. He did have to have some raditation on the leg due to the titaninum rod in his leg. When he finished those treatments he had a pet scan done which showed he was not in remission and his cancer had come back with a vengance. He in now undergoing chemo and they are getting him ready for a bonemarrow transplant.
Julie Holland	My step-father, Charles Leonetti, died December 27, 2007. Dad had emphysema for some years and always struggled with difficulty breathing each spring and winter, so it was not unusual for him to be ill that time of year. Dad passing was unexpected for our family, especially given the fact that he had not been working for atleast 6 weeks before his passing and that he had lost his Health and Life insurance upon being laid off from Carlton Massey, where he had worked for 18 years. Dad died two days after Christmas and 3 days before his Medicare would have kicked in. No health insurance, no life insurance or no burial insurance, no nothing. He had put off going to the doctor and hospital because he did not have insurance or the money to go. How unimportant that seems now. My Dad died at the young age of 64, leaving his wife of 20 years and five children and oodles of grandchildren. His mother is still alive at the age of 97 and still grieves for her son. If anyone knew my Dad, he had a great zest for life. He was good time Charlie and lived for the moment. Now we will never be able to know how many more memories we could have shared if he had gone to the doctor soon.
Lisa Holland	I have lost many people who have been very dear to me over the years. I lost the first one when I was in high school, which was my grandmother. That was the hardest thing I ever had to go through as she kept me a lot when I was younger. Then when I lost my grandfather that was devastating as well. I look at my three beautiful children and know that they missed out on knowing those two incredible people. I also watched a dear friend, Heather Hill, die of cancer. She was a brave soul, a pure soul, and loved God. She was so incredibly fortunate to have two wonderful and loving and caring and devoted parents who supported her and took care of her better than any top notch health care facility could, that is for sure. My hearts go out to Bobby and Leona as they have lost both of their children. Heather is always in my thoughts as I keep a picture of her in my daughters room, and in my room to remind me of her strength and will and just pray that I could be 1/4 of the person she was. I have seen a lot of people that I care deeply about lose their loved one and it is hard to know what to say or do for them. Beverly, what a phenomenal way to help people, with this website, for people to come together and share their stories and their hurt and to be there for one another. One of the hardest things that I ever had to go through is the loss of two babies that Kevin and I went through. The first baby was six weeks when it stopped growing. I was nine weeks along when I found out. I know that a lot of people think that it is not a baby, but it is. I lost that baby on February 7, 2001. Then we went on to try again. We became pregnant again and this time I was three months, just when you think that all is fine. My mother in law, my mom and my two boys were all at the sonogram to see what God had blessed us with, a boy or a girl on December 19, 2001. Unfortunatley, our little baby's heart had stopped. I carried her over the christmas holidays until I had surgery to remove her on December 27, 2001. I do not understand why we had to go through that, that is not for me to know. I know that the second baby was a little girl. To honor those two babies in Heaven, Kevin and I planted two trees in our front yard to remind us that one day we will see them again. Love and gurl hugs to everyone that has suffered a loss and may God keep you close and give you the peace and love that only HE can provide.
Joan Smallwood	My son after many years of doctors and mystery ailments was finally diagnosed in November of last year with Lupus. The kind he has affects your immune system and starts attacking your organs. They finally got him to a rhumatologist who could work with him and get him the help he needed. Well just when things started looking up he was told the lupus is starting to affect his kidneys and he has a spot on his liver that they've taken a biopsy of. He's had to go on dialysis 3 times a week take immune shots everyday plus take radiation treatments. His one kidney is hardly functioning at all and the other one is functioning at about 80%. He's 29 years old and should be enjoying his life and instead he's fighting for it everyday, and the hardest part as a parent is watching your child go through something like this and know its completely out of your hands. You just have to have faith in the doctors, your child, and most importantly God. Live your life to the fullest everyday, tell your family and friends you love them, and if you have a choice of spending time with them or doing the dishes, cleaning that room, or getting that yard work done, do yourself a favor and pick your family and friends. Live is short and it can change in an instant. As far as me, I'm keeping the faith that my son will be ok and am planning on spending as much time with all my family and friends as I can. Thanks Gurlhugs for giving us all a place to share our feelings.
Katie DeVincentz	My daughter passed away on June 1 2011. She was in is the light of my life. She was one of three children. the remaining ones are my sons. She always had a bad life. all she wanted was to be loved and cared for by a man. all she got was beat and abused by every man she met. the Last husband wouldn't let her out of the house. She was not allowed to have friends. her only means of escape was her computer. After the last beating she moved back in with us. We tried to care for her and her three children. She would drink to escape her loneliness. Her ahole husband would bring beer to her. On May 23rd we took to PRMC. After that it seems it was all down hill. She was in ICU for three days, moved to step down unit and then to regular room. She was having trouble breathing and sent back to ICU. After that she never spoke again. Her last words to me were "I Love You mom". I will miss her until the day I die. She was cremated and when I die her urn will be buried with me so we can be together forever.
Sandy Horsey	to be posted later
Judy B. Hinman	I lost my husband on February 22,2003 at the age of 49. It was a very bad snow storm and he had a stroke. In a second my daughter and life changed. Even today when I thank about it I still can't believe it happen so fast.
Michelle Wegt	Its been four long years since I lost my Mom, my best friend. She suffered from throat cancer and finally lost her battle 02/15/06. Although I miss her terribly, I would not have kept her here on earth one more day in the condition she was in. I pray she is back with all her loved ones and when it is my turn she has many gurl hugs for me.
Linda Wimbrow	I lost my brother 7 years ago to cancer, then exactly 7 years later my father is told he has cancer. (Again 3 to 6 months.) I recently lost my dad Sept 24. I miss him dearly. Hugs and Kisses to my brother and father.
Sue Tull	I have not experienced a loss as great as yours but I was at my all time low mentally,physically, and emotionally after my sweetie Mrs Tull and Denny died. Mrs Tull was solely dependent on us since she lost her hubby when Bill was eleven n never learned to drive. We watched her suffer with Alzheimers n strokes for years which about killed us. It took so much out of us mentally n physically but even in the bad times they were good. We were so blessed to have a best friend n most wonderful mother plus a child all in one. Then Denny suddenly died three months later. We were so close saw each other every day n were with one another most every day. He was my rock trying to brighten things up even at the worst times like losing Mrs Tull. The year of and year before Mrs Tull died I was taking my Uncle to Balt numerous times for his cancer trips as he too was recently widowed losing his wife to cancer. Not to mention dealing with a sibling with addictions n trying to save that life. Well somehow I got thru only to really go downhill after. I could not sleep could not eat n felt like I could not function. The doc put me on antidepressants which made me worse. I am not able to handle most meds. Got off n finally got better but was at my worst for a long time. I missed them so much n my body grieved for them. Through all that NONE of my friends understood or were there for me n that made me even more hurt. They did not understand or care n they had their own lives. On a conversation to one of them later I explained I hope they never have to feel the way I did but may understand when it happens to them. This person did not have a relationship like we had with their mother or sibling so how could they. To this day they think I was weak. Go thru what we went thru for years then see how they feel. I can not imagine what will happen if I lose Bill first I will be totally lost in every way as u feel.others can not understand as they have separate careers and regular incomes. What I am trying to say is do not be so hard on yourself. Your life changed in an instant. You can not possibly be back to normal whatever people expect that to be. You ache for them in every way shape n form n have all the financial probs too cause of it plus things people take for granted. Your heart will always ache for both but one day things will get a little easier although it may take a long time as it did for me. I thank God for them n I see them now in different ways,eagles one is Denny n one is Evie. And other ways. We both still cry but know they r soaring over n watchin over us. Just know I do truly care n if my little notes bring a sm ray of sunshine to ur day then that makes my day!
Lisa Moyer	I lost my grandmother in September 2009 after 3 1/2 long years of her suffering strokes, dementia, chronic pain from a broken hip and being forced to put her in a nursing home. That was the longest 3 1/2 years of my life as she and I were very close. She had been a very strong, fiercely independent woman for most of her life - it was very difficut to watch her go that way. Two months later we received the devasatating news that my mom is suffering from stage IV breast cancer at only 56 years old. So far she is doing well but the cancer is not treatable. It is through the neverending love and support of friends that I am getting through this and think this website is such an incredible way to reach out to people! Greatjob in setting this up and thank you....I will spread the word!! :-)
Mary Beth Quillen	Bradley was my stepson, I lost him May 24, 2008. I remember the day, we were at Tom's Cove having dinner with friends, sitting by the fire. I wanted to leave around 10 and as we headed out of Tom's Cove, Bradley's girlfriend called and said Bradley was on his motorcycle and no one could find him. I immediately started saying things to Chuck like he is fine, don't worry he will answer and I called and called his phone no answer he was already gone and we didn't know it. My youngest son Andrew had his fire pager on and the call came across single motorcycle accident, again I said he is fine he always wears a helmet. We arrived at the scene the same time the rescue squad did and I ran to save him but no chance he was gone. I can see the fireman's faces and the lights over and over in my mind, wishing something would be different. I ache for him and the life he would have shared with his family, he left us a daughter who was one one year old on May 25, 2008. I miss him terribly, I think this is a great idea. Thank you
Christine Dingus	Although I have been blessed to still have my parents and all my close family I have witnessed so many lives taken away... some too early some in the nick of time. My faith is the only thing that gets me thru I know God needs these special people more than we do and he brings some home to relieve suffering. I try to live life to the fullest everyday and thank God for my family and friends. I am blessed to live in a small town of so many great people...yes they may always know your business good and bad but when it comes down to it there is nothing like the feeling of all these people coming together in a time of need. I am so inspired by Beverly and all those other strong woman out there. They probably don't realize what an asset they are.
Suzanne Hilditch McGowan	My husband, Dennis, died February 27,2009. He battled throat cancer for 18 months. Before that, he beat prostate cancer in 2003. When we found out about this cancer, I was upbeat (since he beat "C" before) but he just seemed to know that this one was going to get him. Don't get me wrong. He kept a great attitude throughout everything he went through - radiation, surgery, chemo. But it was really the chemo that wore him down. It's been a year now and I still cry every day for what I lost. My life was changed in an instant and will never be the same again. I mourn for my previous life. But I accept this and continue to move on but it's almost like the movie "Gound Hog Day". I keep repeating the night he died in my head. I guess I question if I did enough or did too much. So I'm having a hard time truly "moving on". I also lost my Dad on December 20, 2004. I still miss him every day. He was a great dad to us kids and had a wicked sense of humor. I know that he and my Dennis are laughing it up in Heaven. Thank you for giving me a forum to express my thoughts.
Cheryl Fisher	I have unfortunately lost alot of very important people in my life. Some were a blessing (due to horrible illness) and others a devastating loss. My mom-mom Alice died in June of 2000. She lived a long life of 92 years. Always there, it was a shock to all of us when she passed. She had come through an operation a while before at 91 like a champ so when we got the call that the ambulance had taken her to the hospital we all were taken aback.(and so lucky a family member was an EMS provider that day) I am fortunate to have a large loving family and there were 19 of us in the emergency dept. room with her. Though she never spoke I feel in my heart she knew alot of us were there. The hosp staff were great and didn't kick any of us out, not that they could have. As an extremely close family we were there for her and each other. After tests showed her body was just shutting down for the only reason of her age we all went with her to a room. I never left her side until late into the evening hours. To this day I could kick myself for leaving her because that is when she passed, when all of us went home. I never wanted her to go to heaven all alone but I realize she waited until we left to spare us more grief. We buried her three days later with many, many, many memories, love, laughter, and tears. A strong woman she was and taught all of her family what love and living life to the fullest was about. She had 3 children, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, one on the way(who was born June 25 a couple weeks after she passed) and 1 born in 2008. Each and everyone of us got a call early in the morning of our birthdays from Mom-Mom. She knew all 30 of our full names and dates of birth until the day she went to the hospital, no one could get in a birthday wish before her. Ask anyone in the family who was the first to call and Mom-Mom was the answer. She was the best! Minced no words when you needed it and loved unconditionally!!! I was sooooo fortunate to have her for so many years and since 2000 God and her family in heaven are the lucky ones to have her there rejoicing in heaven with them. To this day I think about her all the time and she is talked about by all of us. I know she is playing the organ and singing as well as looking down on all of us. I LOVE YOU MOM-MOM and MISS YOU!!!! One day we'll meet again.
Diana Martin	My husband past away on Oct 14 2009. I feel so lost and lonely without him. He was a great man a wonderful husband and a terrific father. He was my soulmate my best friend. we went to bed one night and within an hour after going to bed he had a massive heart attack and our world changed. he was only 50 years old. him and our son had such an amazing bond an amazing relationship it is so sad that he will not be here to be with our son Tony Jr as he grows. we miss him so much. we had a once in a life time kinda of love. such completeness, such happiness. I am one of the lucky ones in this world to know that kind of happiness and to know we made eachother feel this way. we use to say to eachother we wish we met one another when we were young so we would be happy and know this kind of love our entire life
Joanne Lynch	My story begins at an early age. I lost two close school friends. At the age i was then i didn't understand how are why this could happen. I then watched my grandfather marvel die of aplastic anemia, a blood disease, my grandfather Townsend die of cancer, my aunt die of lung cancer and my grandmother marvel die of heart and other complications. These were very difficult times, since we were such a close family. Twenty years ago my dad died after fighting a long battle with AML, a severe form of leukemia his arms were always bruised, from so many blood transfusions. My dad was such a strong man and he never gave up. He was a fighter right up to the end when his body rejected the last blood transfusion. He would keep saying i don't want to leave my family. One thing he wished for was to live to see and celebrate his 50'th wedding anniversary. He missed it by 9 months, but god said it was time to come home, god took him very peacefully and free of pain, with the rain gently falling just before dawn November 3'rd 1989. My mom was in Hartley Hall nursing home, while there i was told it was time to call in the family. The family all came and the nursing home set up a big room for everyone. The staff was wonderful to us. I stayed by her bedside, and held her hand and talked to her. The family was all around her bedside and in the last few minutes of her life tears rolled down her cheeks, as she was telling us she loved us and she was ok. I told her mom it's ok to go now Jesus is standing there with his arms wide open waiting to welcome you home. In a matter of a few seconds after that, she was in his arms safe forever more this was December 23'rd 2007 at 11:45am. She was a cancer survivor for thirty years, so strong for such a little woman. You could always find her in her flowers, and i know she has a beautiful flower garden in heaven. One year to the day that my mom went home my youngest grandson was born. I believe this was god’s plan to comfort us on this day. Being raised by such godly, loving devoted and strong parents have made me who i am today. I take comfort in knowing i will be with them, and my other family and friends again in heaven. My god has given me the strength to get through all of this.
Darrell Sheets	While stationed in Germany in 1954, I was in the Air Force and the German Nationalist was working with me and he and I had a few words and I called him a few words that not fitten to write here. Well time went buy and he and I became friends. At christmas time I was invited to his home and it was Fohren, Germany near the oldest city in Germany Trier I did go in a five mile radious there to meet and to be accepted into the family as a friend. while sitting in the kitchen and I looked over in the corner this bashful little girl sat there and most beautiful rosey cheeks and blue eyes and blond hair. I said in German what is your name and she replied my name is Annaleisa, That night I couldn't sleep and more and more that I heard this name I had made up my mind if I ever gotten married and had a little girl that would be her name. In 1962 I had gotten married on New Year eve Dec 31, 1962 and I had alreaady mrought it to my girlfriend before marrage if we have a daugher I am naming her and it was age to we had a hard time for my wife to get pregnate the doctors said that she couldn't batre any children and we neve stopped and one day my wife said I had to go and see a doctor and didn't know what was the problem and behold she was pregnate with a girl from the ultrasound. Gosh, tha made my day and I was so happy and I told every one at the Work that my daughter was pregnate and when she was born March 2, 1967 I was the most proudest person and She was named Annaleisa Marie Sheets. I called Germany and said tha I had named my daughter after their daughter and that has a lot of meaning to me. My daughter went thru schol and when old enough to work she went to work and she had gotten pregnate by a service man that was here in Aberdeen Proving Grounds and both of them approached me and my daughter Said Dad, I am pregnate. I was stunned. Seh said that the person that she was dating wanted her to have an abortion. She wanted my opinion and I said Leisa for short that If I told her what to do and if it was wrong I din't want you to come back and jump all over me and tha I told her waht to do. I said that you are adult and if you abort this child it is between you and God and the decision is yours. Thank heaven and God that she didhn't. Over the period of years she had taken her Son Samuel to different Concerts to see Bon Jovie, Elkton John and numerious celeberties. My daughter went back to school at Johns Hopkins and became a Dental Asssistant and Orthodinist Certified and worked Chair Side with the dentist. Going back to her birth and when we got home I sang the 1st Song to her. Now at the age of 35 and not married we helped raised her Son Samuel. My was having all these headaches and the doctor didn't know what was the matter until I taken her to the Hospital and they did a cat scan and found out that she had a tumor. I took her to University of Maryland Hospital and they did a biopsy on her and it was a tumor called Glyoblastoma and no cure. They gave me such a run around at this hospital and I brought her home and then she was having problems and I called for an Ambulance come to take her to the hospital. Behold the ambulance dropped her off the gurnie onto the side walk and these 2 little girls had a hard time to get her backon the gurnie. But when she got to the hospital and she had to use the bath room and all the equipment was on her and she kept calling the nurse for the use of the toilet she fell out of bed and broke her hip. My daughter screamed in pain and they tried to let on it din't happen there and I taken her back down to the University of Maryland Hospital and these people would not tell my wife nor myself what was the next move and all I could get out of them when Kemo does no more. It made me mad and I had her transfered to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and the had compassion for my daughter and the Onnocoligist told me that you might as well take her home but she would never come thru this. Before going out of her room on December 24 the day before Christmas she looked at me and said Dad, I hope that it would snow and have a white Christmas. Well when they were putting her in the Ambulance A big flake of Snow came down and hit her in the face. The biggest smile came on her face and it started snowing harder and she told the driver to let the snow hit her some more. Just like a kid with a new toy. It was so sad and I went to the side of the Ambulance and cried. Knowing that she wouldn't be ther for me too much longer. When we got back home. I called a preacher from my church to come and pray and try and save my daughter. But this didn't happen. Then it got to a point that my daughter couldn't communicate with us and then they wanted t come and baptise her and I said I am sorry that you are too late. Her son Samuel helped me with her for 18 months They had sent Hospice to my house and the catheter would get stopped up and the nurse said that Samuel and I had to do the unstopping of this and I cried and told my daughter I hated to do this to her private parts and no one else by your Son and me. While I would go and get all different kinds of medications and buy food to keep her blood sugar down and always incelin had to keep increasing to a stronger med. and go to the grocery store and get foods and watch the carbs and sugar it taken a while but while gone my Grandson Sam would give her inclin shots and take her blood pressure and blood sugar and kept a log that is could communicat to the doctors by phone. So on January 22, 2002 that my Daughter passed away and my heart was broken. Oh lord you don't know how I cried. I said my baby has gone and I kissed and kissed on her. Before her death she said Dad promis me something and I said what Baby?? She said that she didn't want to be put in a cold grave. She wanted to be cremated and knowing that some day that we will be moving to Virginia and didn't want to be left behind and I granted her wishes. She is in a Curio in my Dining Room and we made a memorial for her and she liked frogs and I still buy them when I see a small one that is different. But any how her Son Samuel started having problems mentally and I had taken him to Franklin Square Hospital in Essex Marylnad and for treatments and that they put him on Adderall and he went 2 timss a week to see this doctor for help and from his mothre not being her for him. I had talked many hours with him to pull this child thru. I had them to ake him off this medication and he had gotten better and finished High School and now he is Harford Community College and will be Graduating this coming May 20 and I know that I will cry my eyes out. He has a GPA 3.70 and going for a Double Major Sociology and Psychology and over 19 credits per semester and working 2 days a week at Walmart and only has 1 day to run errands. Now the problem, He has bee Admitted to Salisbury Univerity but, I really don't have the money. I have sent out to all the Politicians in Maryland House and the Governor and Lt.Governor and I have gone to Dutch Rupesburger my Congressman and Barbara Mikulski US State senator and the President of the United States and told them please do not let this kids mind go to waiste and he had promised him mother that he would go to college and get his BS degree and then go another 4 years to University of Maryland and to get his Masters in Brain Research and andother 2 years to get his PHd degree so that he can become a doctor and help some one else. This is a sad time for me and I hop the Good Lord hears me and to see that he is educated and fufill his mother last dream and wishes. I know tha I could write a book from my childhod up to the present time. By the way. His Grandfather on the other side of Samuel's Father has been looking for him for years and I received a call this past week and I talked with his Grandfather he didn't know for 19 years I cried knowing that my Samuel wanted to know them. His Grandfather on the other side is raising his other Grandson and Samuel was his 1st Grandson adn they sent me some pictures and his half brother looks like Samuel and both are majoring in Psychology and has the same like of hair cut, same glasses and the same style of clothing. Both palys instuments in College and I sent photo's of my family to let them know what we look like nnd Samuel will call his Grandfather some time this week and today is the 14th of April and Everythng and dream is coming true and they live in Montana clear across the country. But finishig the story. At my Daughter funeral and I said prior that I sang the 1st song to her and the morning of her death I made a Tape with my last words to her and sang the last song. I sing to my daughter (Gospel) songs to her every night since 2002 and will up to the day I am no longer her and I am 74 at this time and born Dec 28, 1935. I hope that all will enjoy my heart braking story and pray for my family. They say taht time is healing. Beleve me when you loose your only child or child I have to say No No No. Thanks to all who reads this and Good Night to All, Darrell, G. Sheets, 148 Osborn Road Aberdeen. This was to be for Women but I had taken care of my daughter and I wanted to be part of this. So men you have a story please bring it forth and join this Gurl Hugs. I met Beverly personally about 2 months back adn the most plesant person tha you want to ever meet and she had lost her husband adn we shared our story together and tears came from my eyes also. I know what she is going thru also. So God Bless to All...
Tammy Boyce	We lost our beautiful 19 year old son, Dusty, in a car accident June 25, 2006. He had just finished his freshman year at Liberty University.1100 people attended his funeral, that says enough about what kind of man he is/was! He also saved 7 people's lives by being an organ donor. We love and miss him with all our hearts and because of God's faithfulness we will be with him again!
Ashley East	None for now.
Judy Roe	My husband died Feb 23, 1999 of cancer. We were married 36 years and have 4 children. Donald 8/7/1963, Cheryl May 30, 1996; Jeffrey Oct. 13, 1997 and Karen Oct 28, 1970. I was only 54 and remarried in 2001 which was a mistake, he only wanted money. So we were divorced in 2006 after he managed to get $400,000 from me. Now I am 65 and only have a dog for company.
Reta Collins	If there is one thing in life I have learned is love everyday. Tell someone you love them, especially family, even if you haven't spoken to them in years, find a way and just say I LOVE YOU!! I lost my dad when I was 4, my mom passed in 2003 and my brother lost his battle at a young age of 43 in 2008 and when its just you and one other sibling, you have a deeper respect for love and family. There is not one day that I do not think about my mom or brother but I embrace and hold dear all the wonderful memories in my heart. So don't forget to tell someone you love them today!!
Roberta Thornton	I have lost so many family members to cancer that I won't even try to list them all here right now! I will just list my most recent, and most devastating loss. On April 30 2010, we lost my mom (Betty Barnes Judd) to cancer. She fought a good fight and stayed with us as long as her body would allow her. In the end, thanks to Coastal Hospice) she passed peacefully to Jesus, with my dad holding her hand. My sister (Debbie Judd Stanley), my Mom's sister Mildred Susan Barnes, my daughter Christie Lynn Thornton, my Dad Bobby Judd and I stayed by her side her final days, and I cherish those days more than anything that you can imagine. I was a able to tell her goodbye. She was in a coma, but I know that she heard me. Every day that I wake up to a beautiful day, I try to remember that Mom's day in heaven can only be more beautiful, and that she is with all of the other loved ones that I have lost. Buddy met her there, Aunt Betsy and Pop Pop met her there. Becki had only been there a few weeks, but she was waiting for Mom. I need to go listen to Dad sing in Church now, tears will come then.
Shelly Mitchell	In 1997 my son was in an auto accident and he suffered a traumatic brain injury from it. It was a parents worst nightmare receiving a call in the middle of the night, at first they did not expect him to make it be he was strong and did live. His life and ours has changed dramatically but I have had the support of my husband and family and friends as as we all know you do what you have to do. It breaks my heart to think how his life should be versus how it is but we learn to take the small things as victories and not to dwell on what should be. Then in 2006 my husband became sick, at first one test came back as cancer but the doctor did not agree with some of the report and had another biopsy done. After many doctor visits and tests, a Dr at John Hopkins finally knew what it was. A chemical reaction between his blood pressure medicine and the sun. He suffered for 2 years and getting treatments and another year getting his strength back. It took such a toll on him and as everyone knows when your loved ones suffer so do you. I am so thankful he is now feeling so much better and able to return to a normal life. Between these two incidents and losing my sister in law Faye and her husband Garland who we were so close to, it has left me with a very sad feeling inside. So we all need gurl hugs!
Anne Copeland	I'm Anne Copeland and I lost my husband, my boy's father, to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the Vietnam War. He didn't die, but we never know where he is living anymore and the boys basically grown up without him for the past 12 years. On May 15, 2003, I lost my father and the boys their grandfather (and strong father-figure) to prostate and liver cancer. Except for a few aunts and uncles hours away, I was left with my mother up in Ocean Pines. She was independent and not the type to invite us up for dinner or help unless it was convenient for her. She had a bad heart, valve replacement, and drank, which worsened her condition. This summer she went in the hospital June 4, 2009, and, one thing after another, wasn't released until September. She wasn't always pleasant to me or my aunt ( "I'm sick of you two) when we visited and tried to get her to eat. But when she was finally allowed to go home, she did agree to come to my house "until she could get stronger". She told everyone of the "excellent care" I gave her, but that "Anne thinks I'm staying with her, but I can't wait to get back to my house"-while she told me she was going to stay for good with me and to fix up the room this or that way. On October 21, 2009, I was called to McCready Hospital, where she'd been for a week with worsened CHF. Apparently, her valve had given out and she didn't have much time. She did embrace me when I arrived, but I never got to hear "I love you" or good-byes. She asked, "Am I going to die?" I said we didn't know, but that she could be with Daddy if it happened- it wouldn't be so bad. I called her sisters and she spoke to them, for what they knew would be the last time. She kept asking me to turn on the World Series and appeared to go over Bridge hands in her dreams. They gave her Morphine and Ativan, which calmed her for the next 9 hours until she passed peacefully beside me. For all the bad experiences we had throughout my life, I cherished the times I sat up with her and held her hand after her operations, the quiet nights watching TV at my house that last month, and the final hours at McCready. I sang softly to her and held her hand and prayed. I was grateful she hadn't died at home alone in distress. When it was over, I felt completely alone. I called the boys, Mike started on his way home and Greg was at Joan's. I was glad it happened at McCready where I'd worked before and felt among family. But now I had no one to ask questions. No one to tell old stories or funny things the kids did. No one that's known me well that long. Yet I've had so many conflicted feeling and memories, once suppressed, rushing back in the past 6 months. I was exhausted visiting almost every day and worrying. Now it's as if I've needed this time to heal from my entire life. I've felt guilty being angry over past events, but allow myself to go through to get it out. It has been completely life changing. I think this month I'm finally coming out the other end of the dark tunnel.
Cathy Finch	To be added later
Becky Long Sutton	Will post later
Jean Moore	To be posted later
Jennifer Daisey	I want to start by saying I am sorry for all that have lost someone that has been so dear to them. There is nothing like friends to give you strength. I have lost many people since I was a kid; I lost my cousin Franky Outten (murdered), Jill Pilchard (classmate), Eric Ennis in an accident (friend of family), Grandmother Josephine Smith and Great-Grandmother Bertha Mills. I lost my best gurl friend 2 years ago, Joanne Cowger to brain cancer. She had 3 surgeries in John Hopkin's. It was such a sad time watching her go through so much and as soon as you had some hope that things were better and she had beaten the disease it would come back. She did trial drugs and procedures, but nothing worked. I know she is in Heaven and one day we will see each other again. Last year my family lost a very special lady, my cousin Sue Van Name perez, she also fought that battle with Cancer. She left behind a fiance, 3 beautiful daughters, her mom and all of us. We loved her very much. We know that she is now at peace and she is no longer in pain. Beverly, this is a wonderful thing you have started. I believe it will help many. Just to know that you have other people who are there for you makes each day a little easier. Gurlhugs to you...
Lena Taylor	To be added later.
Kay Trostle	This is my story. I came from a strong loving family in Pennsylvania. My dad was very strong and had great family values. Family was very important to him. He was a softy but didn't let that side of him show as much as I would have liked. In my eyes Dad could do all the things and made everything safe. He was really my hero. He passed away all too soon at the age of 70, which was a shock to all of us, and I miss his hugs and his whiskered face. My mother was tall, thin and a beautiful woman. She had class and integrity. She really was the disciplinarian in our family. It was nothing for her to bend down and take her size 9 shoe off in a flash. Ha Ha. We were made to do our chores and never question why, and it better have been done right or you had to do it over again. God help us if we put more on our plate then we could eat, that was wasting food, and you never threw food away, so you sat there and ate it. Her and I would do dishes together every night and we would listen to music and at the time the dance the bump was in so we would do the bump while we stood at the sink. I miss those days, I miss my parents more than I can say. When my husband and I were dating, I kept holding off getting married because I wasn't sure and my dad took me aside and said he liked Ron and if I was looking for someone perfect I would never find him. I looked at my dad and said I was waiting for someone like him. So I thought dad was right and so I agreed to marry Ron. We were married for 34 years. And then the most awful moment in my life, my mother passed away March 20th. And during those months of getting her house in order for sale and dealing with the heart break of losing my mother, Ron had decided to do the unthinkable, he had an affair with an ex-student. A young 25 year old, full of life, young girl. Here I am feeling broken and despaired over the loss of my mother, my home in which I grew up in, my family as I knew it and he decides now of all times to dishonor me, to reject his commitment to me. I had been there for him for 34 yrs. Going through all the deployments, raising two wonderful kids, and sticking by him when I could of walked away easily a lot of times. Now he decides to leave me when I am at my lowest, makes me wonder what kind of man can be so heartless. Who was I married to all these years, did I have blinders on all these years, was this who he truly is, did I perceive him to be honorable, have integrity and morals and loving when he was just using me. Who is this man, whom I trusted my sould and my heart with. What is this all about. I continually ask myself what happened here. He actually told me he loved me every morning and every night before we went to sleep. Was that all pretend, what person can have two lives, he really didn't love me. I was not as important to him as he was to me. How horrible sad to face that reality. The heart break is real, the pain is real, but the respect and honor of my children mean the world to me. He is the one missing out, because family is truly where our lives need to be focused on, as my mom and dad would be very disgusted and upset over what Ron has done, so anyone thinking of breaking their marriage vows, please reconsider, and please recommit to your spouse, there is more at stake than your selfishness.
Rhonda Johnson	To be told at a later date..
Penny Custis	Love and miss you Eric everyday. I choose to keep my story private for now.
Debbie Beshears	To be added at a later date..
Angela Outten-Jones	To be added at a later date...
Irene Smyth	To be added at a later date...
Jennifer Tyndall	To be added at a later date...
donna m.quick	Most of you are my friends &I know much my story. Well its been a year on 11-07-2011. It still feels like Yesterday. Some days I get so mad because he left me with all this mess to deal with. 95% of which I have no clue how to deal with it. Thank you God for my precious son &I all my good friends. The next day I may feel really good. Take dogs for walk. Go to lunch with friends or dinner. The next day I may not get out of bed. I think I have been through all the emotions imaginable. Please God...help me. I was with this man for 45 years. Not dealing with the loss much better than last year this time. I pray every day to get me through. So far he has &I I know he has a plan for me. Just wish he'd show me sooner than later.