Condolence: My Dear Sister Karen,

I know this is the eve of your 6th Angel Date anniversary and I just wanted to write a hello message to let you know how much I love and miss you. Although, I think and talk with you often, I thought you would like mail now and then. I've been reminiscing all week of our Sunday phone conversations, which I miss very much and a couple days ago re-read some of your old letters.

I know how much you suffered with ALS, yet you took the time and effort struggling to send me an E-mail, especially for my birthday through the dina-vox machine, which I still have in my computer.

I pray that I could have the strength and courage you had struggling during your illness. I'm very lucky not to inherit ALS and only have a fraction of pain and suffering after my hip and thigh surgery compared to what you went through. Although, I still need a lot of God's help, along with your prayers, because it's going on 11 month now and I'm not healing. In fact, I can't walk at all now, having painful sleepless nights and believe something is more serious going on with my leg. I decided to get a second opinion with a new set of doctors at the VA and will have my first appointment next Thursday. Please pray that I don't have to have anymore surgery to correct whatever the problem is.

Jim is doing all right and still working part time. Brandon and family are fine too, busy with the children and keeping up with daily life. I'm sure you and all our deceased relatives celebrated Monte's 15th Angel Date Anniversary on the 3rd of this month. Oh, how I miss him and it doesn't get any easier as I age.

Well, until next time, I send my love, hugs and kisses to you and other family members in heaven. Keep watching over us and looking for a sign or message from you.

Your Loving Sister, Lucy

Condolence: Dear Karen,

Happy Birthday in Heaven! You've been on my mind more than ever prior to your birthday today. A day doesn't go by when I don't think of you, but then I have your photo on my desk and often talk to you, hoping you hear me. I'm sure you are having a spectacular celebration with all our deceased family members, all the angels and especially God.

I know you suffered more than I can imagine and now you are free of pain and suffering from ALS. It's been going on 9 months since I fell and broke my hip/thigh and haven't had much relief since my surgery. Now, I ask for your prayers that I can walk a little before my time is up. God has given me a few miracles in life and with the help of your prayers, now I need one more. Thank you for watching over me and all our family.

Love, hugs and kisses to you and all our family members in heaven.
Your Loving Sister, Lucy

Condolence: My Dear Family,

Words can't express how heartbroken I am for the loss of your Mom Karen, Mother-in-law, Grandma, Aunt, Sister and all who loved her. As much as we all love and miss her, it wasn't fair to see her struggle for so long and now that she's in heaven should bring some comfort to us. She's happy with all our other deceased family members, free as a butterfly and one of God's angels. She showered you all with as much love as she had in her heart and was especially proud of her grandchildren and their overnight visits.

I realize how devastating it was for each of you to see her struggle as her health declined and most importantly, how you all put as much love, concern and care into making her as comfortable as possible. If she wasn't able to thank you, then I want to thank you all for whatever part you contributed. I might have come on as being impatient for updates on her condition, but I didn't have enough details, as it was also difficult for me to keep guessing and when you love someone, the unknown is worse to grasp than the truth. I only wish I could have visited my sister and also spent some time with each of you, but my condition limits me to travel. Most of all, I regret not being able to be there with our family for her memorial service to say goodbye and give her one last kiss. I intended to send flowers, but by the time I found out any details of the viewing and service, it would have been too late for the short day. Instead, I sent a lasting keepsake for you to share, which should arrive today. I'm glad that I was able to write to my dear sister in her "Book Of Memories" telling her that I would be playing and singing our favorite song, "Ave Maria" to her during her service and hopefully she will hear me in heaven. You might want to write her occasionally in the "Book Of Memories," as I believe it can be very therapeutic and comforting. I love you all and if ever you need to vent, I'm only a phone call away.

Love, Always,
Aunt Lucy
Uncle Jim & Brandon too

Condolence: John Anthony, Angela, Katherine, Stuart, Christopher, & Kristin,

Karen is so loved by her Aurora family. I am sure you could feel how much she loved all of you! Her face would light up every time she spoke of her family! How she loved her time with you, and her grandchildren!

I will miss my dear friend. My heart aches, but at the same time swells, knowing how blessed I am for having known your mom. Whenever someone at work wasn't feeling well, Karen was always there. To lend a hand, an ear, a shoulder. When in doubt she would pull out her container of ginger..fixes almost all ailments you know! I wish a little ginger could fix broken hearts too!

With Sympathy,

Shannon Whitaker