In Loving Memory of Amy Christine Stephens Pardue

Dear Friends,

This has been one of the saddest weeks I've ever lived in my 34 years...probably THE saddest. However, amidst the sorrow and devastation, I can feel God's Peace that surpasses understanding. Heather W, chose to celebrate Amy's life in her words yesterday, and I choose to do the same here today.

I went to High School with Amy, she graduated in my class of 1993. We also went to the same grade school, and I am going to find out where my k-3 class photos are to see if we were in any of the same classes...I am feeling that we were.

At the funeral and visitation yesterday, the outpouring of family and loved ones to show their love and support for Amy and her family was nothing short of awing. God's comforting presence was there...you could feel it, you could also feel Amy's love and sweetness there among us. As Heather said, "Amy was smiling yesterday to see all her friends that came to honor her life". I agree completely. You know, human words fail us at such times as these; however family, friends and the feelings that God gives us such as Love, Compassion and Peace are what get us through these difficult times.

Yesterday, I learned just what a ray of sunshine Amy was. Strong, bold, funny, compassionate, loving...one could go on and on with the positive attributes of Amy. She was a daughter, grand-daughter, sister, wife, best friend and a mother. In her death, she gave 4 other people life by being an organ donor - what a blessing she was here on earth and even so in death! It reminds me of the verse from I Corinthians 15:55, "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting"? Praise the Lord for His precious child, Amy!

Amy, you have forever imprinted love and kindness on my heart. God bless you and your beautiful baby boys and the family that loves you so much that are left here with us. We will see you and rejoice together one day. Godspeed, dear one.

xoxo -

Kasey

p.s. I learned yesterday, that Amy had a white unicorn that she carried around for 27 years (he'd lost his horn from being so loved...) his name was "Puny", not sure if I spelled that correctly...Puny was with her as she passed away on Sunday...the photo attached to this post is in honor of she and him. I think he is a wonderful representation of Amy herself; unicorns are unique creatures, fierce yet good, selfless and always mysteriously beautiful...

Miley Cyrus - "The Climb"

Miley Cyrus - "The Climb": "Hannah Montana The Movie"

The Climb

I love Miley Cyrus' song "The Climb". What a great message and so true. This song speaks to each and everyone of us as human beings. We will always have mountain after mountain to conquer throughout our lives. It isn't a matter of whether we move the mountain, plow through the mountain, etc. What matters is how we decide to conquer it. We will all have times that are difficult, hard...impossible even...but, those are the times when we must keep pushing and moving onward...keeping our faith strong. People are always watching and cognisant of choices we make...will we make the right choice? Will we do the right thing? Will we take the narrow road or the wide road? So many decisions...
I pray that throughout each mountain that comes my/your way in life, that we will choose the way that God would have us choose. It may not be the easiest for us...but...there will be blessings and good things in store when we do what is right in His Eyes. Always remember...it's all about The Climb...
xoxo -
Kasey

Pleasing Everybody?

"I cannot give you the formula for success, but, I can give you the formula for failure -- which is: Try to please everybody." ~Herbert Bayard Swope

A saw this quote the other day, and wow...it hit me. I sure do wish I'd learned this life lesson earlier on. I've known it for years now...but...back in the day, Jr. High and High School, how great would it have been to actually understand and comprehend this quote. I wouldn't actually say that back then I tried to please everyone...but...in ways I did...I was naive enough to think that I could anyway. Ignorance is bliss...until you wake up to what you've been ignorant to, haha...I can look back and chuckle now. I remember thinking I knew it all...very much like the song from Mongomery Gentry, "Back When I Knew it All". That was totally me...hard headed...a donkey with it's little heels sticking in the mud...saying "you ain't makin me go no further...that ain't no real carrot" - ha! Over the years I am still as stubborn, but, I feel that if there is something or someone with an idea on how to lighten my load...I'll listen...I may not budge...but at least I'll listen and learn rather than have my wall up and just say...nope...my way or the highway...

Now, I am thankful to be able to stand my ground on certain issues and things, but, I am also glad to be wiser in listening and taking others words to heart. I realize that you cannot please everybody, and thus the quote..."birds of a feather usually stick together". However, I do have many friends who think differently from me on many issues, and I value those friendships just as much as I value the ones where we see eye to eye on pretty much anything.

God sure did make the world a colorful place! I am happy to be in the "summertime" of my life and able to appreciate the ups and downs. It's the downs that make us stronger & I'm glad I can take the lessons and appreciate each one.

xoxo -

Kasey

Lillie Boyte: An Angel who has touched my life forever...

Neuroblastoma is a rare form of childhood cancer that is particularly aggressive. Several years ago, a co-worker of mine sent me a link to a little girl named Lillie Boyte on http://www.caringbridge.org/. I did not know this little girl directly, but, the friend who submitted the link did. She asked that we check in and pray for this little girl who was suffering from Neuroblastoma. Caringbridge is an awesome website that allows family members and loved ones to write and document their family members journey through serious health events. I believe that it is a wonderful site, because it allows others to check in and be able to read about what is going on, people can sign in and write loving comments, etc. I believe that writing is theraputic, and that alone is huge if you are a parent or loved one going through this with your family member.

Lillie was born on Good Friday, 2004. She was 2 1/2 when she was diagnosed with this terrible disease called Neuroblastoma in October of 2006. NB causes tumors to build up all over your body. Lillie's primary tumor was on her adrenal gland (which is right above the kidney). On Caringbridge, her mother has documented her NB journey . When I was first signed on and praying for little Lillie, she was going through rounds of chemo treatments, yes, a 2 1/2 year old, going through this (it's awful for any adult)! Then, in July of 2007, the doctors discovered that Lillie was developing brain tumors. One erupted while she was playing it the hospital playroom where she was receiving treatment and required immediate surgery. Despite surgeries and radiation treatment, the disease had spread to her bone marrow, liver and lungs. According to her mama, Lillie's pain was severe and her life was a living hell.

To put it in her Mama's own words, "August 28, 2007 Lillie earned her angel wings and was cured of this horrific disease".

I can not begin tell you all the many reasons why this little girl means so much to me. I was never able to touch her with my own hands persay or to look directly into her sweet eyes...only her beautiful photos...what I was able to do was read the beautiful tapestry of words that her mama wrote about her sweet life, and through that, Lillie has touched my heart. Lillie left behind 2 sisters and a mother and father. Her mother gets on to write and journal still, and that is what brought her to my mind today. If you would like to read Lillie's story, you can find it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lillieboyte

Friends, love your children, realize what a gift they are...what a gift family is. Stop reading this and go give those babies a hug and a kiss...make a wrong relationship right...love deeply no matter what the cost. This life is short...make the most of it...each day is a gift, that is why it is called the "present".

xoxo -

Kasey

Forgiveness

"It really doesn't matter if the person who hurt you deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself. You have things to do and you want to move on".

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook today. Wow. What knowledge and power in those words. Forgiveness is such a wonderful, freeing, enlightening thing. In many ways it's truly miraculous. Forgiving can be such a hard thing to do, but the end result is glorious!

Thank the Good Lord for His forgiveness. He sent his Son to forgive us, how awesome and amazing is that!?!?!?!?

I was able to be a part of forgiving today, and let me tell you...it is delightful!! What a gift indeed for me, my family, and those on the other end who needed to forgive me. Thank goodness for the turning of new leaves, new chapters, new beginnings.

My prayer for you my friends is this: if you have anyone in your life that has hurt you...try to let that hurt go. It really is a prison. Release is freeing...forgive...and move on to bigger, better things. Even if you have no idea what you did...people are all so different, things are interpreted so differently...forgive, be forgiven and be all the wiser.

God bless you all!

xoxo -

Kasey

The Power in a WORD

Ahh...what a great feeling it is to know that you have radiated positivity to someone and not the opposite. I love to give compliments, and man, I'd forgotten how good it feels to get one! A friend of mine mentioned that I'd been an "inspiration" to her (about getting Christmas shopping done early so that one can enjoy and delight in the beautiful wonder of the Christmas Season). And I have to tell you...that just MADE my day! I want to encourage you to tell someone when they have impacted you in a good way, even if you like the perfume they are wearing. My goodness...in this weary world, a kind word and deed goes SO VERY far!

I really appreciate you all who follow my blog...and apologize for my "mini" hiatus...it's just been a bit busy around here, and I have to say, I sort of had the "wind taken out of my sails"...I had lost inspiration for awhile...on the good side - I think it's back. Thank you my friends for being my inspiration...and I hope to inspire you in positive ways as well.

Good night and God bless!

xoxo -

Kasey