Sat. Morning, Sept 12th

A time of reflection a day of grateful hearts. yesterday morning Allie and I attended the funeral of her young friend Jessie Garren, a beautiful girl, a compassionate soul a soldier for God. Jessie at the young age of 17 went home to be one of God's angels, to sing in the choir of heavenly singers. A beautiful spirit, Jessie had a rare form of cancer, less than 100 cases in the United States.

As an alumni of the Brevard High School Concert Chorus, Allie was invited to sing at the funeral. Allie and Jessie had a special kinship, a soul connection that went deeper than a friendship, they were, in my heart and the hearts of many, the hero girls of Brevard. The brave little girls who were fighting thier injuries and were for all apparent visions, winning, and in some light, they both have. Jessie has been called home to be with her heavenly father, her small frame now cloaked in the fathers light, the pain removed and her new mission broadened. Allie is winning also, she is growing in the light every day, her mental and physical capacities returning to what once was. She continues to expanded her goodness, her being and the essence of her being is so much more Godly - she says Jessie brought her more to the Lord - children helping children.

As we approached the church, Allie was full of apprehension and so was I. She was worried about how she would handle the sight of her friend in an open casket and I also worried about how the stress or surge of emotions would affect her emotional state. Highly emotional events can trigger siezures and this would be a test.

Allie went on aheah of me leaving me to go in by myself. The music was playing and there were pictures celebrating Jessie's life playing on two overhead screens. I cry now as I type, reliving my thoughts of how we, escaped this very event; for I know that God spared us from attending Allie's funeral - but at one time, we were right there. We had released her to heaven and were prepared for her departure.

There is no right or wrong, there is no blame or wondering, There is no asking why me or why Jessie. God has a plan. When a seventeen year old or a five year old or a ninety year old person is called home we can only believe in the big plan and thank God for the time we had together.

A few people in the audience of over 600 commented to me on how good Allie looked and I started to weep. A pictue of Allie and Jessie came up on the overhead and my heart smiled. One child is here today and one is home with our father - it makes you realize you own mortality. Life is fleeting and life is a gift.

As the chorus came on to the stage I saw Allie walk out and it was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. Long black skirt and white blouse, she had a presence around her. It was as beautiful as it was emotional for me. I was watching her come back to life as she sang for one that was departing. An angel on earth singing and leading the way for an angel to return to heaven.

Two thirds of the way through the service Allie left the stage and came to find me. It was time to leave. When I first saw her walking towards me I was struck with fear but innately I knew she was OK. She knew she had had enough and had blessed Jessie and her family and any more would have been damaging to her. I applauded her insight.

I thank Jessie for her courage, her goodness and her loving spirit. I thank her for showing me what a selfless person looks like for in her times of trouble she was always there for Allie and others. If you will remember from one of my initial blogs, while Allie was still in a state where she was not speaking or walking, basically a coma with her eyes open Jessie took the time to purchase her a build a bear, recorded a message of encouragement in it and mailed it to Allie. When I opened it, read the letter and listened to the message I sobbed like a baby. It was one of the biggest acts of kindness and selflessness I had ever experienced. At the time Jessie was undergoing cancer treatment in NYC but she took the time to think of Allie. I thank her parents Marilyn and Kit for sharing thier life with us and for showing us the depth of love and faith that is possible. Thier life should be an inspirational book and I am sure that one day it will be.

Today Jessie is free and I am sure her next assignment will be that of an angel. Today we are all free. Free to choose our path, free to become better people, free to improve our relationships with God, our families and our world. Today our family is better and continues to grow.

I once was lost but now I'm found - was blind but now I see.

Love and Hope - Full Recovery - Never a Doubt

Allie's Dad