7/13/03
Dear Mrs. Santiago,
I am deeply
saddened by what has happened in your life. Although I don't know you
or your daughter it still touched me very much. I am friends with a
lot of kids in Avon and to see them go through this it hurt me and I
thought I had to say something. I would have loved to be there to
comfort you during hard times but I thought you would not want a total
stranger there. I am very glad though to see that you and Joelle are
getting through this and are happy. I'm sure there are still those
days like I had when my grandmother died. and incase you are
wondering who my friends in Avon are that might have known Laura or
even know Joelle is Allie Polecel (I know i am spelling it wrong but
hopefully you get the jist) Anyway I just thought I would send my
condolences and I hope this does not bring you to think about Laura
but to think about how many people she has touched.
With Love,
Daniel Mitchell
6/23/03
Joanne,
Hi, hope all is well. Sorry I
haven't called, but having a hard time coming up with words. It
sounds as if you and Joelle are doing well. I'm sure Laura would be
very proud of you both. I do wish I had been able to spend more time
with her growing up. She really was a remarkable person, and touched
so many peoples lives.
I spoke to Phyllis last week and
mentioned to her that maybe if the sun ever comes out, you and Joelle
could come down the shore for the weekend and we could spend some time
together at the beach. Hope it can work for you........
Let us know it there is a time that
is good for you.
Love you,
Toni
6/9/03
Many thanks to all participants in
the American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" Walkathon.
To date, the Avon / Canton Rotary has done an extraordinary job of
raising nearly $5,800 from 65% of our members, plus our club treasury
has added $1,600 for a total to date of $7,400.
We have been given an extra week by the ACS to get in any additional
donations and we are hoping to make the total number exceed $8,000.
Please bring any additional
collections to this Friday's meeting, envelope or not - all donations
are gladly accepted.
Remember - Think of Laura.
Remember - Your children and grandchildren's future.
Remember - All of those that can beat cancer now.
Thanks, Don
6/5/03
Hi Joanne
I so look forward to your updates. Thank you so much. I would love to
see a list of events, scholarships, fundraisers, dedications, etc our
Laura is responsible for. It would go on and on. It is awesome how much
one person (let alone one YOUNG GIRL) can make a difference!!! She
lives in many, many hearts and minds.
I hope you are as well as can be. My company and my church are
participating in 'Laura's Pennies...' and I was wondering, what are
people using for a write up? Is there a letter someone has already
created that has become the standard that we are to affix to our
collection jars? Is there a process in place for once we have our 1st
$100 ready? Can you forward this to your best 'Pennies' person?
Love you! Hope to get to see you & Joelle!
Judy
(Osterby girls are all ok)
6/4/03
Dear Joanne
I pray to God to ease your pain and
suffering .here I sit thinking how can I help what can I do to ease
your pain ...here at the computer that I don't know how to work. the
last message said that Joelle is ill please take care of her. I am
hoping that you and Joelle can come to Arkansas for a visit and if not
I may try to come to Avon later in the summer don't know what else to say, will stay by the computer so that
I can
close to Laura & Joelle...
love Jeff
6/3/03
I heard we
had made over three hundred dollars. I hope Joelle feels better soon.
She looks so much like Laura, she will grow into a beautiful young
lady. I send my best
-Courtney Kleiner
6/3/03
Dear Joanne:
I am always so glad to read your updates, although they often bring a
tear to my eyes! It sounds like you have been staying busy. How is
Joelle? I hope she's feeling better.... Mara had a weird sinus thing
with fever as well. So many odd bugs seem to be going around. How
cool that the Zamborinos came by to plant a tree. Mara likes talking
with Aaron also; it's nice for her to see someone who fought cancer
ahead of her doing so well. I'm always struck in your notes by how
supportive your community
seems to be! Of course, Laura inspired a lot of devotion and
admiration, and so do you. Lots of love, hugs and prayers going your
way. Keep in touch! - Anne
6/1/03
Dear Avon Public Schools Community:
Earlier this year, Avon High School lost a young, talented member of
its community to cancer. Her family, friends, and teachers miss her
greatly. Laura Santiago holds a tremendous presence within Avon; the
love in her heart and her potential will not be forgotten; in fact,
many are seeking ways to honor and remember Laura, so her spirit
lives.
As a means to help honor Laura's life, the Freshman Class has been
working closely with Dr. Santiago, Laura's mother, to create the Laura
Santiago Memorial Purple Scholarship. The criteria for winning the
scholarship are yet to be determined; ultimately, the criteria will
reflect Laura's interests, academic passions and pursuits. Our goal is
to raise enough funds to establish the Purple Scholarship as a
memorial trust, so that it can become an award to be presented
annually to a graduating senior, starting this June at graduation.
Laura's favorite color is purple. Purple is also the color of
remembrance. Over the next month, the Freshman Class will be seeking
donations, offering purple ribbons to individuals and organizations
that donate $1.00 or more. Similar to the philosophy of "The Purple
Ribbon Campaign: Putting Cancer in its Place," you can wear your
purple ribbon to let others know that you are a part of a community
which has been affected by cancer. When people ask you about the
ribbon, you can take a moment and speak about Laura.
The Freshman Class has decided to donate $200.00 towards the fund. We
encourage other students, clubs, and classes to also contribute.
Please contact Mr. Shiers, the Freshman Class Advisor, if you are
interested in helping with the success of this endeavor.
Thank You,
Emily Swords Jamie Sherman
Colleen Olsen
Ellyn Creasey
Class President Vice-President Treasurer
Secretary
6/1/03
Joanne,
This is so beautiful! Just like you.
I did do my cancer relay for life last week and kept thinking of
Laura. We also decided to make a quilt piece in her name. My niece
made it for Laura. It will be sewn together with all others for this
year to one beautiful quilt for this year.
Talk to you later.
Lots of love
Sushma
6/1/03
A Keeper
I grew up in the fifties with practical parents -- a mother, God love
her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it.
She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it...
A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying
new ones.
Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad
in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower
in one hand, dishtowel in the other.
It was the time for fixing things -- a curtain rod, the kitchen
radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.
It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that
re-fixing, reheating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd
always be more.
But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the
warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning
that sometimes there isn't any 'more.'
Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes
away...never to return.
So...while we have it...it's best we love it.....and care for
it.....and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick.
This is true.....for marriage.....and old cars.....and children with
bad report cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging
parents.....and grandparents.
We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some
things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away -- or -- a
classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life
important, like people we know who are special.....and so, we keep
them close!
I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper' so I've sent
it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to
send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life.
5/28/03
Joanne
This is so beautiful. Laura is their angel in heaven and you and Joelle
are angels on earth. God bless you both for encouraging us with your
work.
Love
Karen
5/27/03
DEAR JOANNE & JOELLE: AS YOU ARE AWARE, ALEXA'S FRIEND AMANDA HUTZ, FROM
CHERRY HILL, NJ RECEIVED HER BAT MITZVAH ON MARCH 22, 2003. HER MITZVAH
PROJECT, LAURA'S PENNIES FROM HEAVEN" WAS AN AWARENESS PROGRAM AND GOOD
DEED RELATIVE TO LAURA, AND HER PROMISE TO JOELLE. IT WAS AN AMAZING
TRIBUTE TO LAURA AND JOELLE TO HAVE AMANDA PRESENT HERSELF AT THE BECK
MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH JARS FOR THE CAUSE ON HER BIRTHDAY, MARCH 20TH. SHE
THEN HAD A FOUNTAIN ADORNED WITH ANGELS THAT SHE USED AS A WELL FOR
GUESTS TO THROW THEIR PENNIES IN. AMANDA SPOKE OF LAURA TO HER GUESTS
AND CARDS WITH PICTURES OF LAURA AND SHE AND JOELLE'S STORY WERE
DISTRIBUTED TO EACH GUEST. HER SONG WAS ALSO PLAYED I, AM HAPPY TO SAY
THAT ON MAY 25, ALEXA, AMANDA AND HER MOM, SANDEE AND I, KNOCKED ON THE
DOOR OF A FAMILY WHOSE SON, KEVIN, IS SUFFERING FROM A RARE BLOOD
DISORDER (THE 27TH CASE EVER) WHEREBY HE HAS ANTIBODIES TO HIS
PLATELETS, WBC, AND OTHER COMPONENTS. KEVIN IS ONE OF 5 CHILDREN WITH
AN OLDER BROTHER WHO DIED 5 YEARS AGO IN A MVA. THE FAMILY KNOWS THAT
AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO CURE, BUT PRAY FOR A MIRACLE EVERY DAY. KEVIN
IS 18 YEARS OLD, IS ON MEGA DOSES OF PREDNISONE AND TRANSFUSIONS. THE
FAMILY HAS WEATHERED TRAGEDY ON MANY LEVELS. HOW SURPRISED AND SHOCKED
THEY WERE WHEN AMANDA HANDED THEM AN ENVELOPE WITH THE PENNIES LETTER IN
IT, A NOTE FROM AMANDA, THE CARDS SANDEE MADE ON LAURA, AND OF COURSE
THE BRAND NEW, $100.00 bill. AS SANDEE SAID AFTERWARDS, I FELT LIKE ED
MCMAHON AND THE PRIZE PATROL. THIS MOM AND SON WERE AT A LOSS FOR
WORDS. THE MOM GAVE MANY HUGS AND WORDS OF THANKS. I SPOKE TO THEM OF
LAURA, JOELLE AND YOU. THEY ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL. IT WAS GREAT TO BE
ONE OF LAURA'S ANGELS. THE FOUR OF US FELT JUST AS GOOD AS KEVIN AND
HIS FAMILY. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU, THIS PAY IT FORWARD
STORY. YEP, YOUR LAURA, DOING HER THING, SPREADING THE LOVE AND GIVING
THROUGH OTHERS IN HER OWN QUIET WAY. WHAT ELSE IS NEW???? LOVE YOU,
DONNA
5/14/03
Hi Joanne, thanks for the note. I know how hard Mother's Day must have
been for you. It is nice to know that you and Joelle did some special
things. Congratulations to Joelle on her award. That is awesome. Hang
in
there. Love, Laurie
5/14/03
I am glad to read your message. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
and Joelle each and every day.
Love, Andrea and Brian Keigan
5/13/03
Hi Joanne,
It is so good to read this as there isn't a day that goes by when I am
sure many of us think of how you are both doing. Yesterday was
especially one of those days and to hear from you makes one feel much
better. I know it is tough and I know you two are doing great!
We love you very much and think of you all the time!
lots of love,
Sushma
5/12/03
Good morning, thinking of you on
Mothers Day and knowing that a special place in your heart may be
empty today especially. May you go to Lauras place and dance the MOM
dance. Happy Mothers Day. Love Jenn the crazy tutor
5/12/03
Hi Joanne,
It was good to hear from you. It sounds like your trip to Lourdes was
cleansing. I'm sure your Mom and Laura were by your side.
What wonderful news about Joelle's award, you must be very proud of her.
I'll call you soon.
Nancy J.
5/12/03
Hi
I am so glad to hear about your special gift. The two of you
definitely deserve it, and I can just picture how excited Joelle was.
How wonderful for it to happen when it did too. You have been through
so much. I am thrilled for you.
I think Joelle is right about taking the convertible out. We
have had our top down several times, but it keeps getting too cold. It
is so much fun though. I am so glad we have it.
Keep your spirits up and think of happy memories. I will
continue to think of you as well. Take care and keep in touch. I know
you have many people to talk to, but always remember that I am here.
Love,
Patti
5/12/03
Thanks for sharing... I was wondering how your weekend went. Even with
your times of continued sadness, you are hugged by the thoughts and
actions of others.
Pay back is not such a bitch after all... -smile-
Congratulations to Joelle for a well-deserved award. Laura will always
be near you and sharing in your accomplishments and successes. She must
be so pleased for her, knowing Joelle deserves the recognition for being
the best sister ever. I am glad to hear that the personal Joy and
admiration for who you are continues.
I did try the website over the weekend ... surprise !! I remember you
said the site will one day be closed but I thought," what the heck."
Then I remembered
Mercury is retrograde ... some things remain the same. haha
Take good care of each other ... know you are often in my thoughts and
always in my prayers.
All my best with Love, Judi
5/12/03
Joanne,
I
am glad to hear that you had a good mother's day weekend, all things
considered. You and Joelle are constantly in our prayers, but I said
some extra prayers to the Virgin Mary to help you get through this
particular mothers day. I have been thinking about you both over the
past few days and was going to drop you a line some time this week. I
was pleasantly surprised to see your e mail this morning when I got
into work. We had a quiet weekend, giving Colette what ever she
wanted. The girls were great doing everything for her. We went out to
dinner Saturday to beat the crowds and Sunday we had Chinese food,
Colette's request. We are looking forward to seeing you both soon. May
God continue to bless you with strength, fortitude and peace. Talk to
you soon.
John
5/5/03
Good morning!! I am just now sitting still (for a change) to have my
first cup of coffee, I saw a single penny on the kitchen table and
decided to spend this time with you. Let it never be said I cannot take
a hint ... haha
I so enjoyed Laura's journal ... it is no wonder you are so proud of
her. How thoughtful of you to share with us. Have you thought about
taking excerpts from her personal words and placing them on note cards...
with or without pictures. Her words, even taken out of context, are so
wise and meaningful for such a young woman.
It sounds like you and Joelle had a great time at Disney. What a
wonderful gift for you both and first class for two very classy
ladies!! It really was generous of that anonymous individual who
understands the joy of giving. I am glad you have a forum (the website)
to let them know what a blessing the trip has been for you. Pictures we
want to see pictures ... haha
Take good care of yourself...
love to you and Joelle...
Judi
5/2/03
Hi Joanne,
I was so happy to hear Joelle and you had a good trip to Florida and a
good Easter. I hope you were able to relax a little. I was so happy to
hear that Joelle found pennies along the way.
We are doing well. We had a good Easter and it helped that it was a
beautiful day outside instead of rainy. Deanna was able to see the whole
family and that made her day.
I hardly get on the computer so I am trying to write to everyone I don't
speak to often.
I hope work is going better for you. I think of you often. Keep up
your spirits and you and Joelle are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Love,
Lina
5/2/03
Happy Early Mother's Day
The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long
way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard.
And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will
be better than the beginning."
But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that
anything could be better than these years. So she played with her
children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them
in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother
cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the
children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and
covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are
not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children
climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she
said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the
children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we
would not have done it without you." And the mother, when she lay down
at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than
the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of
hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage.
Today, I have given them strength."
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth, clouds
of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled,
and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the
children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it
guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This
is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."
And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and
the mother grew old and she was little and bent. But her children were
tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough,
they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last
they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and
golden gates flung wide. And mother said: "I have reached the end of
my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for
my children can walk alone, and their children after them."
And the children said, " You will always walk with us, Mother, even
when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her
as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said:
"We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is
more than a
memory. She is a living presence."
Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you
walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly
laundered socks she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.
Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in
every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and
she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first
love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate
you.. Not time, not space...not even death!
4/30/03
Joanne,
So good to hear about your trip and about how you felt Laura's presence!
I know Laura is always there with you, she has really gone nowhere, we
just can't see her that is all. The main reason I am doing the Relay for
Life cancer walk here is in memory of Laura. I felt I had to do
something. You all are doing stuff in CT and I can't be part of it, this
is my way of doing something. I am so glad to hear about the rotary
doing the Relay for Laura. I really think that is so special.
Lots and lots of love and happy memories (old and new).
Sushma
4/30/03
Hello All,
I am going to walk for the American Cancer Society on May 17. The
event is called "Relay for Life" and is going to be a 24-hour marathon
with each team having members walk to support Cancer research. We are
also taking any donations for that whether it be $10 or $25. I have
lost some dear people this year early and I want to do something to
remember and honor them and help others who may fall into that
situation. Hopefully, the cure for this thing is near.
If you would like to join me in this support, please do but please
remember there is ABSOLUTELY NO OBLIGATION - and I am not asking that
you do support this event - as many people have already supported).
However, if you would like to send me your check made out to American
Cancer Society and mail it to:
19014 Gallop Drive
Germantown, MD 20874.
We would appreciate it. Thank you so much!
Feel free to view
www.DamscusRelay.org for more information.
Those of you who are local and would like to join me in the walk,
please do so, I would love it!
Lots of love to all,
Sushma