Beautiful Girl

Kelly authored this wonderful poem about their days growing

up in Bergenfield and she really surprised us when she read it

at Laura's memorial birthday celebration. We have so many terrific

memories from the years we spent in Bergenfield.

It was one of our lucky days when Kelly's parents moved next door.

We have known Kelly and Renee since the day they were born;

soon after they became part of our extended family.

Kelly, I can't thank you enough for writing your thoughts

so beautifully. You truly captured Laura's spirit and triggered

so many great memories (including how much Renee

and Laura were at each other's throat one minute and the

next they were kissing and making up and promising

to stay friends forever). I will treasure this forever.

God bless you always.

(Please click on the poem)

My daughter, my friend

Today, I finally had time to visit "An Angels Touch Gift Shop" in Forked River. I have been wanting to stop in but never had the time, so after I was done working for the day I took a ride to the shop. I met gracious women in the store. Melinda & Liz were so welcoming that another customer and I stayed there for a couple of hours just talking! Both women shared some of their life experiences with us. I never did get the customer's name, but it doesn't matter. We were all there for a reason and it was well worth the trip.

While there, a customer came in looking for a unique gift for her friend who was moving. She asked us to help her and we did. She purchased a beautiful healing blanket. There are so many wonderful ones to choose. They are all handmade (and very soft) by a mom and her two daughters and blessed by a priest at St. Mary's. The family also prays the Rosary over each blanket before distributing them for sale.

I could not resist buying a beautiful angel which has a saying inscribed on the fold of her dress: My daughter, my friend. I am going to place it along side the angel that Laura bought me which has an endearing verse (I will post a picture and verse of the angel later).

Laura always put a lot of thought into her gifts, so when you received one from her you knew it was from her heart.

An Angels Touch Gift Shop

All Occasion Gifts

angelstouchall@gmail.com

Sunrise, Sunset

Sitting out here
Over looking the ocean
Watching the waves
As they crash upon the shore.
Wishing I could hearthat beautiful sound more.
The sunset providesAll the beautiful colors
Shining downOn the deep blue sea.
They combined so peacefully
As the bright colors fade away.
And dawn turns to dusk
Stars slowly emerge from the sky
And shine brightlyUpon you and I.
The moon providesIt's radiant light
Glowing beautifullyIn the night.
Soon the darkestIs overcome
By the sun once again.
And the deep dark sky develops into day
As the stars and moon diminish
As you start to see the sunray.

Laura

Laura & her little people

My sister presented this beautiful angel to me to place

by Laura's tree. The angel is perfect--she is dressed in the same color

that Laura wore as a bridesmaid in her brother's wedding party

and she is watching over her "little people" to protect them.

A love note from Mom & Dad

Messages of love

After the memorial was over, we wrote personal messages

to Laura and then released the balloons into the sky.

Up and away they all blew,

far into Heaven into Laura's reach.

Laura's corner

I created a Birthday collage of pictures from all Laura's birthdays.

I was lucky to find at least one for most of her 25 years.

The note cards were for anyone who wished to write

a memory of Laura. Thank you to all who did.

I loved reading your special stories.

Laura's uncle

Thanks to Laura's uncle for the gift of the air-brushed memory shirts.

Of course, the airbrushing is in purple.

In Laura's memory...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Our dear friends took a generous collection to purchase this statue in Laura's memory, along with a plaque. The plan is to house him in the elementary school that Laura attended. We hope that wish comes true. They also presented us with a smaller replica to keep in our home. Our other friends donated a wonderful statue of St. Francis to the church, which will be placed in the parish garden in the fall.

We are forever grateful to all of you.

Laura's family & friends

Laura's brother & cousin
Uncle & great aunt

Cousins & friends

Cousins

Cousins

Friend & Dad

Sister-in-law & aunt
Aunt & the little people

He was afraid of the balloon release

so he watched through the screen.

Cousin

Cousin

Extended family

Cousin

Laura Bell's Mr & Mrs B

& our good friends

Cousin & friend

Aunt, cousin & friend

Cousins

Friend & Dad

Judy's butterfly

More of Laura's family

Cousin Aunt & cousin

Aunt & cousins

Happy 26th Birthday

Love from your family & friends

Please Don't Ask Me If I'm Over It

Please, don't ask me f I'm over it yet.
I'll never be over it.
Please, don't tell me Laura's in a better place.
She isn't here with me.
Please, don't say at least Laura isn't suffering.
I haven't come to terms with why she had to suffer at all.
Please don't tell me you know how I feel.
Unless you have walked in my shoes.
Please, don't ask me if I feel better.
Bereavement isn't a condition that clears up.
Please, don't tell me at least you had her for so many years.
What year would you chose for your child to die?
Please don't tell me God never gives us more than we can bear.
Please, just say your're sorry.
Please, just say you remember my daughter, if you do.
Please, just listen when I talk about Laura.
Please, mention her name and let me know it's okay to keep my precious memories alive.
Please, Just let me cry, if that's what I need to do for today.

Author Unknown
From Our Children, Our Hearts
Journey of Child Loss and Remembrance
edited by Emily Laitmon with Terry Toll