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Weird and Dead Stuff

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WHERE ON EARTH?
Weird and Dead Stuff

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WHERE ON EARTH?
Weird and Dead Stuff
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You are on Tina Memorial Page 1

  IN MEMORY OF 

TINA D. MESSER

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Born on the 21st day of October, 1975, to proud parents Marvin and Nadine Messer. She passed away  on September 17th 1995 at 4:45 p.m. at the age of 19, after a long, hard-fought  battle with cancer that had taken her left leg as a teenager.

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9/17/17
11:11 ??
Glenn has always called out to me wherever I am in the house, in the car or anywhere he sees a clock at just the right time: "It's 11:11 !"  I started doing the same, just the time with all ones seemed to be something to take note of that has become a family tradition.

Then on Facebook someone mused "why do I keep seeing 11:11 everywhere and what is the significance?  So I clicked on the article and lo and behold, here is one of the reasons given:

"Some believe the actual meaning of 11:11 is that it is a sign that angelic beings are close by.   They come with love and protection and they want to bring you clarity and guidance."

It makes perfect sense to us.  Hello, Tina!  Thank you for being here.
Heidi

 

ANGELS DO EXIST

Many times we hear people speak of angels, but seldom do we believe that they really exist...let alone do they really do anything to prosper or guide us through the rough spots in life's little adventure here on earth. I am sure that we all would like to believe that there really is a hereafter, and that what we are going through here on earth is only preparing us for that life in the promised land. Well, let me tell you a story that will surely make you want to believe that there are indeed angels here on earth.

There is a very personal side to this story, as you will see, as it unfolds over the next few lines that you are about to read.  The story goes like this:

I believe in angels, as I have met two in my lifetime. One I lost due to her death from cancer (Tina) and the other I married (Heidi) after the death of my first wife Darel of 30 years due to a 22 year fight with multiple sclerosis.
 
It was the summer of 1991 and I was running a gift shop called SHARK'S TOOTH COVE, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  As you might guess by the name, I was dealing with sharks teeth and related shark items in this wonderful oceanside vacation resort town. The shop was a must-do place to visit when in the area if you were at all interested in sharks.
 
On a bright sunny day in the middle of the hot summer (that's all we have here) in walked this very petite, pretty little blond girl about 15 years old, I would have guessed. I could hear her comments about all the real cool shark stuff even before she got to the center of the store where the best things were waiting for her to discover. The excitement in her voice told me that this would be another real adventure for me in the sense that I would be opening her up to a world that she really couldn't comprehend at this very moment. Little did I realize at that moment that she wanted to become a marine science professional.

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 Tina (in yellow) surrounded by her mother Nadine (far left), and friends

 

Our two worlds were about to collide as we both had a lot to share with each other.  We were both in for a shock of sorts, and mine was the first. As she approached the counter in the middle of the store, it wasn't until then that I saw the pair of crutches she was using, nor the fact that she had only one beautiful tan leg supporting her body. Yet, the smile on her face was so captivating that you knew whatever it was that had taken her leg was of no real concern to her. During our following conversation, I did ask her what type  of shark it was that had gotten her leg. She and her friends all just got a big laugh out of my question, and she would later go on to tell me about her fight with cancer.

 
She spent a considerable amount of time in the shop asking all the typical questions about the shark collections that I had on display and for sale. She purchased several items and was given the standard package of freebees that I would give to all genuinely interested shark enthusiasts that came to the shop.
 
A couple of days later she came to the shop with her mother and we were able to sit and have a very nice conversation about her and her situation. It was at that time that my wife Darel appeared from behind the counter in her electric wheelchair. Tina was very surprised and a little embarrassed to think that I had spent so much time with her, discussing her disease, when I should have been dealing with my wife and her situation first.
 
The compassion I saw on her face when she spoke with Darel about her MS and the effects that it had on her life was  overwhelming to me. Here  was a young girl that had lost her leg to cancer at such a young age, yet had not a sound of bitterness in her sweet young voice. She had taken all what had happened to her as if this were normal and had gotten on with her life. Not for a moment did I get the feeling that there was a thought that this just might not be the end of her experience with cancer. Little did we know that within the next two years she would be fighting for her life once again.
 
Over the next couple of years we spoke and visited on many occasions. It was during these wonderful moments of release from our two worlds of hell that we became very close friends. We were able to put aside all the ills of the health situations we were dealing with and enjoy all the treasures that I had acquired over the years. We spoke of my travels around the world seeking out people that were deeply involved with the shark and marine world. Tina could only hope that one day she too would be able to meet the likes of Rodney Fox, Ron and Valerie Taylor, The Shark Lady, and so many more interesting people that I had come in contact with in the field of Marine Science.
 
During these wonderful times, never did I ever get the feeling that she was missing out on any of life's adventures, as she in her own world was on a mission of her own. She was such a positive person and was so full of life that people were so taken with her genuine interest in their lives. She wanted to help everyone that she came into contact with. She had a very large heart, one filled with love for anyone that would let her into their lives.
 
I welcomed her into my life with no reservations at all. There was nothing I wouldn't do for her, and she for me.  Every time we spoke, she always asked about Darel, before I could ask about her. This beautiful child, on more than one occasion was able to lift my spirits when times were so rough for me. There were times when I didn't think I could possibly take another day of caring for my wife. Then I would feel guilty, when I would hear her voice or read her letters as she described what was going on in her life...not knowing that her days were very limited, and the grains of sand were quickly running out of her hour glass of life.

In November of 1993, after long discussions with Darel's many doctors, I was told she had less than a year to live. If I had anything special that I wanted to do with her, now was the time to do it. With no hesitation, I set into motion the closing of our gift shop in preparation for a journey that would take us from one end of our wonderful country to the other.

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We gave Tina this drawing when we closed the shop

 
During our travels, I would send post cards to a select few that had touched my life in a way that I didn't want to lose touch with them. Tina was at the top of that list. No matter where I was, there wasn't a time when I didn't wonder about her and say a prayer or two for her good health.
 
It was the summer of 1995, and we were in British Columbia on our way to Fairbanks, Alaska, when my mail of some three  months finally caught up with us. There were several letters there from Nadine, Tina's mother.  It was with heavy heart  that I read that Tina's cancer had returned with a vengeance and the outcome was not very good. Nadine told me that she didn't think Tina would live out the remainder of the year. She was already too sick to speak to me on the phone.
 
I asked if there was something special that I could do for Tina that might brighten up her final days. Nadine told me her son who was in the Air Force was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska some years ago and had flown Tina up there for a visit. This was all I needed to know. Within a few short days I was in the Fairbanks area and set about putting together a care package of local items that would  bring back a lot of good memories of her visit. I shipped this overnight to Tina back in South Carolina.
 
I was very surprised when I called the very next day to check on Tina's condition, to learn that the package had arrived and she was already wearing the nightshirt I had sent her. Nadine told me how happy Tina was when she saw the contents of my package. Later I would find out that she wore that shirt every day until she passed away. This gave me a lot of comfort, as I knew I was as close to her as possible in those last few days
of her special life.
 
I received my last letter from Nadine on Labor Day weekend, around the 15th of the month. The tone of the letter told me that things were very bad and that time was running out for Tina. This was a very sad letter, as her a mother was experiencing the death of one of her two children. No child is supposed to die before their parents, it's just a concept that we can't seem to grasp, yet it happens all the time. It's just not supposed to happen to us. What ever that means.
 
I called and Nadine told me that Tina had been slipping in and out of a coma for a the last two days, and I knew this was pretty much the end  of her struggle and she would be leaving us very soon.
 
On the 17th of September around noon, I had just finished giving Darel her bath and had put her to bed, when I thought about calling Nadine to check on the current situation.  I had a very strange feeling come over me. There was a 4 hour time difference between Alaska and South Carolina, so I knew that the family would all be together for the dinner hour, so I would wait a little while longer before I would call.
 
As I sat in my easy chair in the dark, with my two cats curled up in my lap,  listening to the soft sounds of classical music in the background, as I so often do to escape the reality of my day, I had this very strange feeling come over me that was very overwhelming. As I re-read Nadine's last letter, as I have so many times already, the sadness I had felt before was gone. In its place was a very warm, peaceful, and very pleasurable
feeling of happiness. A feeling like I have not known for some time now. It was almost as if someone or something was reaching out and touching me , and reassuring me that everything was going to be ok and there wasn't any need for me to worry about Tina or anything any longer. I felt like a burden was being lifted from my shoulders, and that things were going to be different somehow, from here on out. Maybe it was the wonderful music I was listening to, or the fact that my cats were purring by my side, or Darel was resting after such a difficult morning she had that day.
 
Little did I realize at that very moment, that Tina had just passed away. I wouldn't know this for another two days.  I believe now and will always believe, that the feeling I was experiencing while relaxing in my chair that afternoon, was from the presence of an ANGEL.

Tina touched the lives of all who met her, even those who learned about her after her passing.  A condensed life of kindness goes a long way.  It's not the length of life that matters, it's how it is lived.

Photos of Tina with Glenn in his shop, in front of his shark aquarium, and using Darel's (his now deceased wife) beach chair on Myrtle Beach, SC, both photos dated 1993

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Glenn Reed

26th ANNIVERSARY 2021

September 17, 2021

By now, my dear girl, I would have expected you to be a grandmother, and your mother a great grandmother on your 45th birthday.  This is the only accomplishment that I have allowed myself to accept that you would have accomplished.  The rest would be speculation.  But whatever it would have been, I know it would have been great.  You are still missed, and always will be.

 

20th ANNIVERSARY 2015

September 17, 2015

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You would have been 39 next month.  I can only imagine the accomplishments you would have achieved.  You will always be loved and missed by all that knew you.

Glenn

=========================

September 18, 2015

Your presence was felt today, as this was not here yesterday.

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Glenn

 

 

15th ANNIVERSARY 2010 

of the passing of an Angel

September 17, 1995

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Her memory will not fade, her smile will not disappear, her voice will always be heard, and her hugs and kisses will always be felt.  She lives within us all, forever.

Loving her was the easy part, missing her will be forever.

Glenn

=================

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9/15/10  My heart to yours, Glenn.

This is the rose you picked for me yesterday, from our own garden.  The last rose of the season.

Heidi

 

3/20/15

TINA'S COUSIN CYNTHIA MCCLAIN

I had no idea you started this page until tonight. Laying in bed she popped in my head as she does from time to time. I'm Cynthia aka cindy and I'm Tina's cousin. Her dad Marvin was my dad's uncle. They laid carpet for many years together.
I always looked up to her. She was nice and friendly to everyone. She not only smiled with her mouth but thru her eyes. They sparkled like two stars! That laugh of hers was contagious.  I can still hear it plain as day!!  I have a lot of memories with her and I wouldn't trade any of them for the world. Aunt Nadine is a wonderful lady and If I could be half the woman she is then I'd be luckier than a millionaire. 

Just wanted to say thanks for this page. I really needed to see those pics and you've done a wonderful job on the site.

Sincerely
Cynthia Staton McClain

----------------------

Glenn's response:

Cynthia,
 
I was just about to close down for the night and your wonderful email came through.
 
Tina's page has been on our web site for since Oct. 2005,  after her 10th anniversary of her passing, as I had lost contact with Nadine, as I felt that I needed her permission to publish what I have.
 
We have gotten hundreds of interesting contacts about her.  There have also been so many people that have thanked us for publishing my story about Tina as it has given them hope for the loved ones that they too have lost over the the years.
 
This September will mark her 20th anniversary of leaving us, and it seems as fresh as yesterday. There isn't a day that passes that I don't think about her and what she meant to so many people in her short life time.
 
There are times when I know she is her in my presence.  Let me explain. She loved yellow roses and I have raised roses for many years. When they bloom in the spring as they are today, the YELLOW rose is always the first to bloom and that last to die off in the fall.  I just bought 12 new rose bushes (all colors) a few weeks ago and they have been in our home waiting out the weather to be planted outside.  My first rose to bloom in this new batch of roses is,  YELLOW !!!!  

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I can only imagine what she would have accomplished had she lived a normal life time length. We lost a great person in her passing.
 
Your aunt is also a very wonderful person that has gone through a lot, not only losing her daughter, but her husband also. Heidi and I had the chance several months ago to have dinner with her and her new husband in Myrtle Beach. She seems to be happy at the present time.
 
If you have no objections I would like to post your email on Tina's page. How did you come about finding her link on our site ?
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Glenn Reed
================

Cynthia's response:

It's kind of crazy I was laying there and I she came across my mind. I started thinking what would I find if I Googled her. With Facebook and other social media now a days seems to have a memorial page. Then I came across your page. I clicked on it and was overwhelmed. The pictures and the yellow roses just made memories rush back.

 

There are several of us cousins all about the same age that grew up together and it was said at one time "It could have been any one of us." Why her? There is no doubt in my mind that she would have done something great. She would have exceeded any expectation on any job or profession she chose. She definitely would not have made the mistakes we did.

 

I can remember watching her in her room while she was writing cheers and drawing stick figures in a notebook so that the new girls could go over and see how the movements went. Or swimming out by the pool at her house. Or the time when she got a splinter in her finger and Nadine wrote her homework out while Tina told her how to do it.

I sent Nadine a message with your email address. Yes, you may post my email on your page. I can't believe it's been almost 20 years.
 
Thanks again for your page!
 
Cynthia McClain
 

 

June 14, 2014

FRIEND MARK CLARK

 

Hope all is well,

I was wondering the picture on the wall of Tina Messer with the yellow roses
On her memorial page.
Is there any way I could get a copy or a pic of her.
Its funny a lot of time has passed but I still tell people about her.
It would be nice to have a pic I could hang in my house.
I haven't seen Nadine in years, I hope she is well.
Thank you again for making this page for her.
Best regards, Mark

===============

Glenn's response

Mark,
 
It was nice hearing from you once again. This is the effect that Tina had on everyone. Once you met her, you would never be able to forget her.  We still get many emails thanking us for her page, as it has helped other people cope with their particular loss. She had such way with touching you that you were never going to ever forget this young lady, as she had so much to offer, yet she and we all knew her time was limited here on earth, and we wanted to be as much a part of her short life as possible.  She really gave us a reason to live.
 
I have no problem sending you a nice copy of her picture. Please send me your mailing address and I will send it out in the mail Monday.

Nadine, has re-married and moved to Charleston for the past two years. Then last spring (2013) we met her and her new husband at the Captains Quarters Restaurant in Myrtle beach for dinner one night. They are happy.

 

Once again, thanks for the memories of her presents on your life.

 
Kindest Regards,
 
Glenn Reed

 

 

August 14, 2012

FRIEND MARK CLARK

Hi I saw this memorial page for Tina a few months ago and had to respond. I met Tina when I was 19 I'm 40 now. I have never met anyone who has stuck in my heart and mind as much as Tina. She was dating my neighbor at the time I remember she was sitting in the back seat of my car her boyfriend and I were sitting in the front joking and laughing. I remember looking in my rear view mirror and was blessed to catch her laughing Ill never forget her smile to this day. I was blessed to see her in the hospital a few months before she went to live with God. I always wished I could have had time to hang with her and just sit and talk to the most amazing person I have ever met. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her that I can remember and I always tell people of her courage and that famous smile. I cant wait till the day we all see her again and let her know how she has been missed even to the ones that only knew her for a short time. Thank you for making this page for Tina. I pray for Tina's parents every night since she has been gone and was saddened when I heard about Marvin (Tina's dad) but I know he's with his little girl now and when we see her I believe it will be like two old friends reunited after many years the laughing and joking will start and it will seem like no time at all has passed. Thank You .      

Mark Clark

 

April 6th 2012 

FROM TINA'S MOTHER

Tina's mother Nadine made contact with me last night with some very sad news. Tina's Grandmother passed away on Dec the 6th, 2011, her uncle died the morning of his mother's funeral the 9th of Dec. 2011, and now her father has joined her in heaven on the 12th of Feb. 2012.
Nadine tells me that when Marvin, (her husband and Tina's father) passed away that "HE HAD THE SWEETEST SMILE ON HIS FACE", and she said, "HE HAS SEEN TINA''.  I can only imagine what this thought has done to give Nadine a sense of final peace for her family. Now Tina has her grandmother, an uncle and now her beloved father with her. May they all rest in peace.
Glenn

 

9/15/10  Comment from friend Brent:

Very nice Memorial! Your husband certainly felt the presence of an Angel.
I'm never going to forget Tina's beautiful smile in all her pictures.

 

12/12/07   Dear Glenn,

I have been enjoying your wonderful website and just read the memorial for Tina - so beautiful.  My son, Jerome, was killed by a hit and run driver on September 17, 2003 at age 26.  No words can describe the pain of a parent losing a child.  Knowing that Tina and Jerome are together put a smile on my face and warmed my heart.  Thank you for sharing.

Warm regards,

Denise Snyder

===============

Denise,
 
Thank you for your kind words. Sharing such a loss with the world is just my way of dealing with such a terrible amount of pain, that most people can't begin to understand.
 
It is my hope that in reading about Tina, maybe there are families that are in desperate need for a little understanding , and to know that they are not alone in dealing with their grief. No parent ever wants to outlive their children, and when they are taken at such early ages it's almost more than one can bear. Sharing is such a caring experience that we all can benefit from.
 
I wish you all the best, and am so glad that Tina and I have touched you in this special way. Her life continues to touch people , she truly is an ANGEL.
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Glenn Reed

 

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Tina on her senior cruise with a friend.

 

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Yellow roses for Tina's 10th anniversary memorial, from Glenn

SEPTEMBER 17, 2005

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FRIENDS and FAMILY of Tina are welcome to email us with their experiences and thoughts about this special person, and we will post them here on her page.

Email Glenn at: 

sharkman1020@gmail.com 

 

10/3/05 from Tina's Mom Nadine after this web page was up -

Dear Glenn, 

How beautiful!!   This is the most awesome thing. Is it not strange that this being the tenth year, and it was seeming to be one of the hardest for us to get through the anniversary of her death...that you would re-appear into our life? She must have sent you back to us. I love the way you constructed the whole memorial. You have a special gift! We have a special gift by knowing you.  Darel and Tina were two of the best gifts God could have given. 

I remember how excited Tina would get when we knew we were coming to the beach. The first thought on her mind was your shop. She told all her friends about you. When she knew her time was very short...she said, "Mama, you can give any of these pictures away (in her room) except that one." You know which one. The Great White that was autographed. The one you so graciously took off the wall that day and gave her. She was so excited all the way home, she talked of nothing else. Remember the one that wasn't autographed...I can not remember if you gave it to her or she bought it. It is framed and in the hall at the Pediatric Center in Greenville. The framer donated the brass plaque on the bottom that tells of her birth and death. The doctor over the whole Children's Hospital told me just the other day that he thinks of her every day. I asked, "How so?" He said they moved the picture from the exam room to the hall. As he passes has says he thinks of her smile.  The shark that was painted on the tile was donated in her memory to her Science class at her high school. The teacher was her favorite. He even came to the house and brought Pizza. Every time she was in the hospital, he came. You have brought back so many sweet memories for us. I thank you. Please take care. I think I will try to find that Science teacher and tell him of the Memorial.

--Nadine

10/3/05 from Glenn to Tina's mom Nadine,
 
Thank you for your permission to publish the memorial. I do hope that you contact a lot of people and spread the word about what we are doing. I think it will give everyone a chance to reflect on how she has affected their lives since she passed away. It will also give others reading it the time to look at what their lives are all about, and just maybe they will make a change in what they are doing and appreciate what they have rather than what they don't have. I would love to hear from her doctors and nurses, and have them tell us directly about the picture in the hall.
 
I am sure Tina reached out and touched me again, and that's one of the reasons that I was able to find you two after this 5 years that we were out of contact. THERE ARE REASONS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO, WHEN WE DO IT.
    2/17/22  From: Nelle Cox 

I am a former teacher from Pickens High School where Tina attended, and I can truly say that Tina Messer was a gift to all who knew her. I ran across her memorial page as I was scanning the Internet to find more about her brief life. My reason for doing this is that I am writing a book in which I hope to include a chapter about Tina's gift that she shared with children in Pickens County and beyond through the Country Santa program.
     For those who do not know about this program, it is a non-profit organization that collects toys to distribute to children during the Christmas season.. Country Santa was dear to Tina's heart, and she loved coming to help sort toys, bag toys for children, and deliver them on Christmas Eve. She began working with Country Santa when her Civic Responsibility class at Pickens High scheduled a visit to get some community service hours, After that first visit, Tina was hooked. She kept coming back to help Country Santa.
     Most entries that I read on her memorial page mention her beautiful smile. That smile brightened everyone's spirits and made people feel privileged just to know her, especially those in the Country Santa program. She was energetic, happy, and willing to tackle any job in the building. In order to bag for families on the profile sheets, one must get a large black trash bag from the table, pick up the profile sheet, and then proceed to search for age-appropriate toys for the children in a 30 by 30 foot building. Tina did this while she managed to hop around using a crutch under one arm. Bagging for families takes a good bit of effort, even for those who are not handicapped. Tina's dauntless determination and cheerful disposition made her a favorite elf.
      Throughout the rest of her high school days, Tina continued to offer her help during every Christmas season. Her mother Nadine told my husband Buddy that this was one of Tina's favorite charities. She wanted to be there as often as she could. Sometimes she would sit beside the checkout table and assist with the tagging of the bags. Her personality was a perfect match for that job since she could talk with all the people who brought their bags to the table. She loved people, and enjoyed every opportunity to engage in conversation. She wasn't thinking of herself; she was loving life and finding every way she could to express that love.
     After she graduated from high school, Tina came back on her college break which showed her true dedication to the program. Occasionally, we would hear that she was not doing well or was back in the hospital for treatments. Tina maintained such a hopeful attitude that she would get better and that all those cancer ordeals would finally be behind her. Sadly, that was not to be. The last time she came into the Santa building, she was too weak to stand for long, and someone helped her into the chair beside the checkout table where she sat beside Buddy and smiled as she listened to the Christmas music playing in the background. She was happy just to be there.
     The following fall, Tina closed the final chapter on her brief life, and her memorial service brought people from every walk of life together. Everyone felt connected to this beautiful angel who had brought such light and joy into the life of all she met. One girl who attended the service clicked a picture of the clouds that afternoon. When she looked at the picture, she noticed that one of the clouds looked exactly like an angel reaching up to be received by the hand of God. Yes, Tina was an angel.
   Some time went by before Nadine came to the Country Santa building with a very special gift. She had packed all the beautiful stuffed animals that Tina had received over the years as she went in and out of the hospital for treatments. The animals were in perfect condition, and they would make a lovely gift for children. That year, the children of Bishopville, SC received Tina's stuffed animals as a part of their Christmas. This is an impoverished area in the lower part of the state that had recently been ravaged by a hurricane. Tina's final gift furnished Christmas joy to those needy children. 
      In retrospect, one could say that Tina is still touching lives even though she has left this earth. I know she has touched mine, and I hope this tribute will bring joy and remembrance to all who read it. The book that I am writing is Share a Smile with a Child, which will be published on Amazon in the fall. The book's title seems appropriate since sweet Tina's angelic smile continues to brighten us all.
                                                                             Nelle Cox 
=======================

Response from Glenn:

Nelle, Thank you ever so much for this wonderful story of yours about Tina. There isn't a word here that I would disagree with. She was an Angel, and to this day still reaches out to people that read her page on our website. Countless people have stated what strength her life has given them to reconcile their particular loss. We continue to post all the contacts that we have gotten over the years, and if you have no objection, we will do the same with yours.
 
Please let us know when your book hits the marketplace as we would love to have a copy. 
 
Thank you once again for the contact. You know from reading her page what she meant to me in particular. I grieve her loss every day.
 
I planted several yellow rose plants in my 9 different flower beds over the years and in the spring the Yellow Rose is the first to bloom and in the fall the Yellow Rose stays in full bloom until the frost kills it. So, I know she is still watching over me. Yes, I too believe in Angels.
 
Kindest Regards,
 
Glenn Reed
====================


RESPONSE FROM NELLE:

Thank you, Glenn. I am happy for you to add my story to Tina's memorial page comments. I will let you know when my book comes out. I wrote my first book With Love from Jesus and Country Santa this past year, and I realized that I could not possibly share all of the stories from 43 years in just one book. So the second book-- Share a Smile with a Child: More Stories of Country Santa--will include even more chapters on the many wonderful volunteers (like Tina) who have blessed our lives.
 
May your rose garden continue to bloom yellow in loving memory of Tina!