Angel Moms
Newsletter-March 2002
March Dates
March 1, 1995-Jamie T's daughter Cheyenne was born-just_a_girl_024@yahoo.com
March 1, 1997-Bev S's son Mike became an angel-BeSapp@aol.com
March 8, 2000-Deanna D's daughter Sarah was born an Angel-treklovers@yahoo.com
March 9, 1958-Marge S's son Sheldon was born-margdon@westman.wave.ca
March 11, 2000-Jamie T's daughter Cheyenne became an Angel-just_a_girl_024@yahoo.com
March 13, 1993-Debra D's daughter Catherine Theresa was born-hughanddeb@mediaone.net
March 13, 2000-Mary Jane M's son Robert became an Angel-mjmuse@netusa1.net
March 17, 2001-Lisa S's son Tyler was born an Angel-Sk8ordiechic@aol.com
March 18, 1969-Marguerite C's son Anthony was born-imskippy2u@kc.rr.com
March 18, 1971-Carin F's son Timothy was born-dcfurgison@erols.com
March 19, 1971-Carin F's son Timothy became an Angel-dcfurgison@erols.com
March 19, 1979-Judy R's daughter Heidi was born-MissJudy13@aol.com
March 19, 2001-Laurie M's daughter Jill became an Angel-buddy4holly@msn.com
March 21, 1993-Regina K's daughter Stephanie became an Angel-rp11211@yahoo.com
March 24, 2001 Sandra M's son Kevin became an Angel-sandym46_99@yahoo.com
March 25, 1992-Christy W's daughter Shelby was born-cwyatt@uu.edu
March 29, 1977-Sandra M's son Kevin was born-sandym46_99@yahoo.com
March 30, 1978-Tanya C's son Keyon was born-Keyonbulls23@aol.com
Featured Mom
My name is Shirley Petroski, and I live in Downey, California with my Husband Ron. Have lived here in this home since 1973, and Krista our Angel was only 2 years old. I am a native of Southern, California, and after I graduated from High School, I went to work at 17 years old, for a Dentist. Married my High School Sweetheart, and had three beautiful children. Dana Lynn, my daughter, and two sons, Jon Randall, and David Michael. Unfortunately we were divorced, and later I met Ron. We were married in 1970, first in Mexico, later in California, as our State does not recognize Mexican Marriages. Ron also has three sons by his first Marriage. Ronnie, Rick, and Michael. They all live in Placerville.
Krista was born June 6th, 1971, and she really did bring a lot of love into our lives, her brothers and sister, had so much fun with her. She attended Christian Schools 1st, and 2nd Grade, and 7th and 8th. Then went back to public schools to graduate in 1989. After graduating Krista attended College at night, and worked for Smart and Final Days. In 1990 October 24th, Krista had a baby, named Brittany Michelle, and she was a really proud Mom, and a wonderful one. The Father of Brit, at that time did not want to have a child, so never helped Krista financially in any way, but Krista said, "Well this is my baby, and I will care for her," and she did. She later met Michael, and they were to be married, but on March 24th, early in the morning, we received the phone call all parents dread. Krista had been in an Auto accident, and was rushed to the University of Los Angeles Hospital, where she was in ICU, until April 3rd. She died from blunt force trauma, and for me my life will never be the same without my sparkly girl.
Two days after her Service, the father's Mother came to pick up Brit, so we were in court for quite a few years. Later after Brit's Dad showed how much he did love her, had a good job with UPS, and bought a home nearby. I realized all of our families should come together, for Brittany's well being, and I gave up the custody. (This decision was from God.) Today we have her every other Weekend, every other Wednesdays, whenever I want her also. We have Christmas, and Thanksgiving, and Easter, with the Chapman's. (miracles do happen, if you pray a lot). I had not liked these people at all when they were going to sweep Brit out of our lives. Today we all work together and help one another. She is growing up to be a girl Krista would be so very proud of. Her grades are terrific, and if any one needs help with a computer this child is a whiz.
Ron and I, love to go camping, we have a boat so take that along also. Ron loves to fish. I do not. Krista and I drove him crazy, just catching each other's hooks. Brit loves to fish, water ski,
and has her own dirt bike, swims like a fish, and is an excellent student. We love her so much, and she has certainly helped us just being a part of our sparkly girl. Krista was also very athletic, and we took her and her girlfriends all over, just as we do her Daughter.
I just want to say how happy I am to have found all of you Angel Moms. All of you have helped me tremendously. (We are family.) As all of you know when we lose a child, no matter how, or what age, our lives have changed forever. We can survive, but it takes a lot of support from other people. Ron is my Rock, he is a steady person. I am more emotional. Fortunately my boss, at the Florist Shop, has been a great support for me too! She is like a Daughter, and is very compassionate. Thank you again for always being here everyday for me, I love each and every one of you. I am so very proud to be the Mother of such a wonderful Angel, my Krista, who will meet me when I go to Heaven. Until then, just one day at a time.......
((((((Hugs))))) Shirley Krista's Mom
Craft Exchange
Spring is almost here... lets do an Easter Basket exchange.
Starting now I will take names for the Easter Basket exchange until March 6. They will need to be in the mail by March 23rd. This will be the particulars on this exchange. You can make the basket or container, Does not have to be your typical Easter Basket, or you can buy one. There must be one homemade craft inside the container/basket. Lets set a price limit on this exchange at no more than $12.00 and not less than $10.00 value. IF YOU ARE A DIABETIC you can still join ... when you join just request NO CANDY ... these baskets/container can contain anything... kitchen towels, magnets, small knick knack, box of cards..use your imagination ... but lets make it pretty...
Please email me privately at dkgold56@cs.com, so I don't miss anyone who wants to join, include your name and address and if you do not want candy please state that at that time. I will then forward these over to the person who will send your basket to you.dkgold56@cs.com Have fun with this!
Poetry Section
A Dad hurts Too
People don't always see the tears a dad cries,
His heart is broken too when his child dies,
He tries to hold it together and be strong,
Even though his world's gone wrong,
He holds his wife as her tears fall,
Comforts her through it all,
He goes through his day doing what he's supposed to do,
But a piece of his heart has been ripped away, a Dad hurts too,
So when he's alone he lets out his pain,
And his tears come like falling rain,
His world has crashed in around him,
And a world that was once bright has gone dim,
He feels he has to be strong for others,
But Dads hurt too, not just the Mothers,
He searches for answers but none are to be found,
He hides behind a mask when he is feeling down,
He smiles through his tears,
He struggles and holds in his fears,
But what you see on the outside is not always real,
Men don't always show how they really feel,
So I'd like to ask a favor of you,
The next time you see a mother hurting over the loss of her child, please remember.....a Dad hurts too.
Judi Walker
Copyright 2002
Dedicated to my husband Mike
and all fathers who have lost a child
From Toad's Desk
FROM BEREAVED PARENTS USA
Most bereaved parents experience one or more of the following:
* Feel physically exhausted, have difficulty sleeping, do not want to go to sleep or get up
*Feel a tightness in the throat, heaviness in the chest, or a lump in the stomach like a rock
*Have an empty feeling with appetite loss
*Wander aimlessly, forget a thought in the middle of a sentence, neglect to finish tasks, feel restless, look for activity, but can't concentrate
*Have respiratory reactions - excessive yawning, gasping, hyperventilating
*Experience feelings of anxiety
*Think they are losing their mind
*Say to oneself, "If only I had..."
*Keep askying, "Why?"
*Feel they don't want to go on
*Feel the loss isn't real, that the child will return
*Sense theloved one's presence by expecting the child to walk in the door of phone at the usual time. Hear the voice or see the face
*Look for the child in a crowd or see reminders unexpectedly
*Need to tell and retell and remember things about the child and the experience of death
*Cry at unexpected times
*Feel able to cope and then fall back again - a see-saw type of reaction
*Feel depressed
All of these reactions are natural and normal. It is important not to deny one's feelings, but to learn to express them. Realizing that you are not alone in having these reactions is helpful. One's balance is regained slowly through understanding and working through the grief process.
Bereaved Parents of the USA - Home Page
From Deb's Desk
Months and Their Flowers
|
January
 Carnation |
February
 Violet |
March
 Tulip |
April
 Sweetpea |
|
|
May
 Lilly of the Valley |
June
 Rose |
July
 Larkspur |
August
 Gladiola |
|
|
September
 Aster |
October
 Calendula |
November
 Chrysanthemums |
December
 Narcissus |
|
Angel Moms Retreat 2002
At this point in time, the dates for our retreat are July 18 - 22. The location will be at Woodhaven in Tennessee. Below is the web site for Woodhaven
Acuff Mtn Home Rentals -- Woodhaven Cabin
If you are, or think you may be attending, please email Toad at dcfurgison@erols.com
We hope to have some prices worked out by the end of next week so y'all can start making your plans!
Retreat Committee
Toad (Carin)
Debbie
Amy
If any one else would like to help out on this committee, please e-mail Toad
A Thought
I believe, there are two kinds of angels.
Ones that have earned their wings and are forever imbedded in our hearts.
And there are the wingless ones.
Angels on earth, guiding us through life.
Submitted by Deb
Several members wrote to me asking why we did not have a page that listed how we lost our children. We do now. If you would like your child listed there, please use the e-mail button on on the page and e-mail me. Please put your name, child's name and the cause.
How We Lost Our Angels
Angel Moms Web Site
Editors: Judi, Carin, Deb, Debbie
