Hello All My AdlandPro Friends and Family! Today's story broke my heart when I read it and made me cry. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! It is truly a beautiful story! -------------------------------------------- 'She Only Knew How to Love' As I watched my autistic daughter go out onto a baseball field, spinning and laughing, I relished the beauty of the moment. By Sherry Wright I have been blessed with four children-one of them severely handicapped. Her name was Tiffany, and she was severely autistic. Although she couldn't speak, Tiffany only knew how to love people. Every day my father would come over just to take her for a walk by the creek. She loved to throw rocks into it and watch the ripples. She would giggle so hard--it was almost like she had her own connection to God. One weekend when Tiffany was 12 years old, we went to watch my oldest daughter Becky's baseball tournament. That was the most beautiful time we ever had with Tiffany. She never once hit herself--an upsetting symptom of her form of autism--and she just showered love on each and every one of us. At the end of the tournament, the officials handed out awards on the field. Becky won the MVP trophy. Suddenly Tiffany walked out to the pitcher's mound. Everyone watched because this was very out of character for her. She lifted her hands above her head and started twirling around in circles, laughing so hard that it became contagious. We were all full of joy. The really strange part was that tears were rolling down her face. It was such a beautiful moment, and it touched so many people. It was the first time that we had ever seen her shed a tear out of joy and not out of hurting herself. After we all came home and I had put the kids to bed, I thanked God for giving me such a beautiful time with her and the other children. Then I fell asleep. I actually slept the whole night for one of the first times in the 12 years of Tiffany's life. I had no idea what was to come. The next morning I went into Tiffany's bedroom to get her ready for school. I found she had died in her sleep. I was devastated and didn't understand why God would allow this to happen to me again (I also lost a son in a drowning accident a few years before). All of a sudden I was struck with a revelation. When Tiffany went to that baseball field and put her hands to the sky and spun around laughing, she was telling God that she was ready to come home. He allowed me to have that last, most beautiful memory of her, filled with love and joy, where she was not suffering and hitting herself. Tears streamed down my face as I reflected on my last day with her. I thank God every day that he allowed me those memories. I know in my heart that her death was only the beginning of her life. She was so beautiful at her funeral. I know that God was letting me see that she was whole now. All the pain and suffering had left her face. I felt so much peace because God gave me that gift of witnessing my little girl say goodbye the night before. So please cherish your children always, because no one is promised tomorrow. Make every day count, and hold on to those precious moments. Not one day goes by that I don't miss and think of Tiffany, but I thank God for her life. -------------------------------------------- Marilyn L. Ali

Marilyn, What can I say! My 'Scotties Supreme' are running low. That was very touching, and it meant that much more today for me as I was actually discussing along these lines last night with one of my aunts. You see, I am leaving in a short time for a 6 hour trip to Montréal to attend my uncle's funeral (her husband); we were discussing how some people have an uncounscious awareness that they are going. He was in the hospital and asked my aunt that today, she must bring him to church (last Sunday)not to bad I guess for someone who could hardly speak and paralysed in bed. You see, my uncle had suffered a heart attack 34 years ago and was left paralysed and unable to speak clearly if at all. My aunt looked after everyday all these years (he was 84) and his departure is bittersweeet. She does not take credit for what she did and only says, I did what I could.Amazing person. So I will be gone for 3 days in Montréal and will get to use my mother tongue a lot. Have the best weekend ever and God bless you, Louis http://www.give1get4.net guest code 989519

Marilyn Thanks for the invite For your tissue story Linda

That was a very sad and touching story! How sweet to have those last beautiful memories of her beloved daughter! I am blessed with only one child and I know her loss would be more than I could bear so my heart goes out to this family! God calls his angels home and brings such peace to thier poor troubled souls! Bless all of you! As Always, God Bless! Sincerly, Susan

HI Louis, You know you better stock up on those Scotties with me writing my forums that I do! LOL Seriously, I am sorry to hear about your Uncle, but he truly is better off now. I imagine his life and what it has been like for him the last 34 years...at least now he is at peace and pain free. I believe that many people get a feeling or premonition, or whatever you want to call it, that they are going to die. My best friend's husband use to tell her all the time that he was not going to live past 40. She use to tell him to stop talking like that, but he truly believed it! Sure enough, he did not make it past 40. He died of a massive heart attack at 40 years of age. Your Aunt is a wonderful lady and wife to have taken care of him all these years. I am sure it was very hard on her in many ways! God Bless her! I hope your trip to Montreal is a safe one. You will be only 5 hours away from me since I live in Upstate NY. Take care of yourself and have a safe trip back as well. God Bless You! Marilyn