Some of the greatest words I ever heard

[Laurie]

Just a story I wanted to share. As many of you know 9 months ago my beautiful sister Lisa, died of breast cancer. During the last year of her life I posted regularly what was going on with her and my family. During that time I found love and support from the forum--many members messaged me or came into chat to offer their love and support. They thanked me for sharing Lisa's story and told me how brave they thought I was. Some members (Carol Moore--eroomlorac) sent cards to Lisa on a regular basis. Mae made the most amazing picture for me and sent cards to Lisa.

It was a very difficult time for me and my family, but in the family I am the only single one, I didn't have a husband to share my distress with, so the forum really became "my significant other"

Mom and I have been spending time together decorating my new apartment. I have several things that were Lisa's in my apartment and although I've never been one for the Early Americana decor it's what I have to keep a piece of her with me.

Mom and I were talking about how difficult the process was of planning her memorial/funeral and going through her things. It was so painful that somethings didn't get home with us that we had wanted. But we were in agreement how beautiful her funeral service was.

Peggy (tunes) came ALL the way from South Dakota to be with me on that day--I had never met her face to face before. Tawana (paris26) also came from Appleton, Carol Moore (eroomlorac) came from Illinois and I know many, MANY others would have been there if they could. While I was totally amazed and just broke down when I saw Peggy--that she would come so far to be there, there was something else that happened that day that changed my life forever.

Standing in the huge long line of people from Lisa's work, friends of our family, friends of our parents, and our extended family in general there was this woman I didn't know with long black hair. There were quite a bit of people at Lisa's memorial, I think the entire staff of Ruud Lighting was present, so there were many people who I didn't know that were there for my sister, so when this beautiful woman came up to me and hugged me I was sure she was a coworker of Lisa's.

While we hugged I smelled her hair and it was so beautiful. It was something that calmed me and made me feel safe--strange to say this but it's true. I felt so much comfort from this small moment. Then she said this to me . . .

"Laurie, I'm Sandi" and those words changed my life.

From that terrible day when I really had to say goodbye to my beautiful sister, Lisa, came one of the best things to ever happen to me.

Sandi was another person who I knew from the forum but never met face to face--she drove up from Illinois to be with me that day. And since that day we have become the best of friends. We talk about everything, her wonderful yet sometimes annoying husband, George-Barry, her beautiful girls who can be diva-ish just like their mom. We talk about family and our heart breaks that come along with it sometimes. We talk about work and just everything.

We travel to Kristy's (starleomach) and the four of us, Kristy, Carol, Sandi and I have margaritas and manicures! So far no manicures though. Sandi has baby Lisa chin's brother Ivory so we are chin aunts together! The four of us along with Tawana stayed together for the chin show in Wisconsin and had a blast.

This forum has been so much more to/for me than a place to talk about chinchillas (I don't talk much about hedgehogs since I don't have one, but I'm always willing, LOL!) This forum has become a family to me.

Kristy (starleomach) gave me a beautiful pink white chinchilla girl who I named Lisa in memory of my beautiful sister. I can't tell you how much that meant to me, and she told me several forum members offered to help pay for baby Lisa chin for me! Kristy thanked everyone for the generous offer but let them know she was giving me her as a gift--and what a wonderful gift it is. Everyday I can still say these words, "I love you, Lisa" because that is what I say everyday to my sweet baby Lisa chin.


In May I will be visiting my internet sister, Peggy, and spending time with her in South Dakota, I'll be road tripping with my wonderful homies Sandi and Tawana and we will be meeting up with Shayna (peachydays) and Niki (dragonflye) who I've never met face to face. I can't wait! I can't wait to hug the people who have come to mean so much to me over this past year.

I just wanted to share this story--I want to say how much I love you and appreciate you to ALL the people who let me share Lisa's story with them, who took me into their arms, even if it was miles and miles away to hug me and hold me and comfort me when I most needed it. I continue to thank them when they joke around with me and tease me and even send me silly PM's about Alex O'Loughlin being "Mr Nievin".

Some of the greatest words I ever heard---Laurie I'm Sandi

The greatest place I've ever been/visited--chins-n-hedgies

Thank you all so much!

Love (and I truly mean that)
Laurie

 

[mishellyshel]

awww..........shucks, you brought a tear to my eye! i am so happy that you have found comfort & friendship here, the kind of friendship that will last a lifetime.

i always knew by looking at sandi that her hair would smell fabulous!!

 

[Stackie]

:hug2:

 

[lauralynne]

Geez, Laurie.

You make me :cry3:, :hug2: and all at the same time!

 

[Nervousings]

:throw:
that was beautiful.

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

:hearts:

 

[Sandi]

I can't even type right now because my vision is so blurred with tears in my eyes. I'll come back later.

 

[Remyma0408]

Aw, I'm teary from reading that! This place really has been wonderful, as many of these ladies were here for me when I was pregnant with Remy. The support is so amazing. :hugs:

 

[eroomlorac]

What a heartwarming and touching story. You are so loved, Laurie, because you are such a wonderful person. As my Mom used to say, "To have friends you have to BE a friend". And you are truly that. Have fun during your trip to South Dakota. Give Tunes a hug for me, would you? :laughitup:

 

[caiti]

Wow that's really touching that you guys have such a strong community within this forum.

My best friend's brother died a couple weeks ago and sometimes I forget the lessons I learned from his death because it's sad. After I read your post, I emailed my friends from home and told my Chloe (chin) that I loved her and gave her some oats and scritches.

Thank you for writing that and I'm very glad to see you are handling this time in your life well.

I have to go cry some more now.....BWWAAAAAA!!!!!!! *sniffle*

 

[Olallie]

Wow, reading that made me tear up! This forum is truely a home.

Have fun with Peggy! She's sneaky, just remember that! (jk)

 

[starleomach]

Laurie you are loved here

 

[Luci]

laurie,

that made me cry...in the library (as usual). this forum is definitely a very good place to be. though i joined much later and am still getting to know everyone, i still think of everyone on here. and whenever i hear something about breast cancer, i think of Lisa.
you are very very much loved (as is everyone else). i hope to one day make it to a show so i can get to know most of you.

i love this place
hugs to everyone

 

[CJR]

The connections that people can make, in any situation, any medium, any time or place, is amazing. Sometimes people forget or take for granted true friendship - I know I do sometimes.

Laurie, I've read about your struggle but I wasn't around when all that went down. I wish I was here, but that's how things happen. I'm so happy that you've found such strong connections here, and I echo your sentiment - everyone here is so supportive and so nice, so ready to listen. This forum is definitely more than just a forum.

And hey, those who leave earlier than we'd like are not gone forever. We will see them again, and I hope you can infinite comfort in that.

I don't know you all that well Laurie, but I love you too.

 

[Essentia]

Laurie you are loved here

She's love here too!

That was so sweet Laurie. Made me tear up more than just a bit.

 

[Sandi]

Laurie, your words are beautiful. :tissue: You're right, this place means so much to me as well. There really are some great people here. Even though I didn't know you when I joined the forum and started reading your posts about your beautiful sister, I felt as if I did because of your passionate words. I'm lucky to know you Laurie and I love you too.

 

[Sandi]

Give Tunes a hug for me, would you? :laughitup:

LOL! Carol, I almost forgot how hard you tried to give her a hug that day, the look on your face was priceless as to what Peggy did afterwards, hehe.