Lisa

WORDS TO LIVE BY.....My entire family is deeply touched by the outpouring of sympathy, kind words and deeds you have shown us. The respect and admiration I have seen expressed for Whitney confirms that she was a very special person and she was truly loved. .....How many of you receive emails with parables, quotes or words to live by? You know the ones. Someone talks about a tragedy they or a close friend faced that taught them to live life more fully, to speak more softly, to be kinder, more forgiving, to use the good china just because it's Friday, to wear the special dress to the grocery store instead of saving it for an "important" occasion. You know, don't sweat the small stuff. Most of us read them, forward them, and say to ourselves these are words to live by and make a silent promise to ourselves that we will incorporate them into our own lives. But, most of us never really do. I was no exception. The truth is that the majority of us think tragedy of this nature will never occur in our life. .....My message to you is never take each other for granted. Parents, be patient. Being a teen today is much harder than it was even just a few years ago. They face so many challenges and dilemmas. The world is a confusing place. Pick your battles carefully. In the long run, ask yourself if it really matters? Let them know how special they are and how much you love them every day. For you kids, always remember that your parents are doing the best that they can. Sometimes they make mistakes. Tell them that you love them and let them know you appreciate how difficult the job of being a parent is. As hard as it might be for you to believe, nothing they do concerning your welfare is arbitrary or planned simply to make you miserable. They always, always have your very best interests at heart. .....My life changed instantly on July 7th at 4:00 AM when I found my daughter in her crumpled car. I have been angry, confused, and numb asking myself why or if only. The truth is - there is no answer. No way to make sense of this tragedy or even to comprehend. I came to this realization on the way to the service. I have tried and accomplished many things in my life and failed at others. I haven't been afraid of much, but I have always been afraid to die. I am no longer afraid, because I know she will be there. .....So many of you have asked us what you can do. I've thought a lot about it and what we ask is that you remember us often. As hard as it is to say goodbye and bury your child, the harder part is facing life after the food is gone, the flowers have died and people return to their "normal" lives. Call us. Stop by and talk to us about Whitney. Most importantly, take care of Marc. Whitney loved him so much. As special as Whitney was, Marc should not live in her shadow. He needs to hear and understand how special he is. His remarkable sense of humor and ability to make people laugh and his sense of loyalty make him truly special. He needs to know that he, too, is a "big deal". .....I think it is appropriate that Whitney have the last word. Everyone knows how outspoken she was. Like she so often did in life, she has found a way to comfort us from the other side. ....."It might seem like one minute everything is falling apart in your life, but maybe in reality it's just coming together. What seems so bad isn't and it's going to turn out ok and you'll eventually be happy with the result you get. I don't regret, nor am I ashamed of anything that I've done, thought, or felt because at one point or another, that's what I wanted or how I felt." .....Whitney's Blurbs.... .................I love my friends times a million billion. I hate hypocrites, people who think they are better than other people, people who think the world owes them something and people who think that they are always right. I LOVE, love my family and my dogs. I like to be in charge. I would rather do something by myself and do it right and how I want the first time than have someone else do it wrong. I hate how I get SO STRESSED OUT and I love to take pictures. .....About me: ...........Be EVERYTHING you are .....................and NOTHING you're not