I searched for my friend's voice today, as I have missed her. One year ago today Annette passed away from sonovial sarcoma, leaving behind two amazing boys, Kurtis and Ryan, and a wonderful husband, Tom, and a loving sister Lisa, and their amazing Dad. Their wife, mom, grandma, mother-in-law had just passed away one year earlier.
I found it. And I listened, knowing that Nash loves to wrestle too, so that added to my joy of listening to the clip.
Annette, you are so, so missed. I can't log onto the tri21online website anymore knowing you aren't there, it's just not the same.
Just know I always think of you, marvel in how you spent the last 4 months of your life knowing you were leaving us soon, but yet still managed to come down to Indiana and spend that time with us at the TRI21 IRL and DSI Buddy Walk.
I am so, so thankful that Shannon and I traveled to your service, met your family, and brought our Tri21 board's prayers to those that needed it, Shannon's tribute was wonderful.
Know that Lisa is an amazing sister ... wow, she takes my breath away with how she is carrying on your efforts and memory! And know you made such, such a difference in the world. How many can say that?
So in your memory and with our love, I want to reprint Shannon's, our, message:
As I sit down to write this at my computer, how appropriate that I am at the computer, and how ironic that I am at a loss for words. Annette will laugh at this, as will the other people of our group, Trisomy 21 Online Support Group, who have asked me to convey our love for Annette. As an advocate and a mother, friend, mentor, I am rarely short on words. Never short on abbreviations, (LOL , laugh out loud for those of you that aren’t into the computer chat thing). We need new abbreviations today; for weeping out loud, for my heart is aching, for I am feeling the pain of men and women around the world that are grieving.
Yes, I mean around the globe. That is how far Annette’s love, spirit, and kindness have reached. We have known Annette through this online support group for years. As a group, we have shared joys, hugs, milestones, and challenges great and small together. We being, Annette and I, but also our online community, a community so close we would call ourselves sisters. We number in the hundreds. The core of this sisterhood, and sometimes brotherhood, is that each of us received an incredible gift of parenting a child with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome. This bond brought Annette and her family all the way down from Canada to a little town in Indiana. Here, many of our group strengthened our friendship, watched our kids run and play, shared the love of our families and the passion for our faith. This was not the only time we were to be blessed with a visit from Annette. Many from our board could share stories just as poignant. She went to great lengths to have fellowship with her kindred spirits. She even pressed through her pain to take one last visit to see many of us in Indianapolis. That visit will remain in our hearts as one of highest highs and most bittersweet goodbyes. I am sure those of you sitting here, celebrating Annette’s life are not surprised to hear these words of Annette’s strength and perseverance through adversity.
Annette, this is our last post to you. The rest of our correspondance will have to be during our moments of prayer and meditation, until we meet again and dance the tootey ta all together. You have fought the good fight. You have cherished the gifts God has bestowed on you. You have lived a well lived life. Rest our friend Annette, we will continue the fight for you. We will use the light of your spirit to guide us. Thank you for sharing your life, passion, family and faith with us. Your friendship has changed our lives. Your gift will not be forgotten. Godspeed on your journey Home Sister Annette.
And Annette asked in her service...yes she did....that we sing this song, In Christ Alone, "and don't sing it whimpy" So let's sing again for her today, and no whimpy voices!
I miss you Annette, lots of love. And Tom, Lisa and family, you are all in our thoughts and prayers.
November 2, 1966 - December 16, 2007
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