I would like to thank you all for your kind words. I received cards today from Laurel and Joann and wondered how the word got out.
This is a very difficult time for me. My friend and soulmate has decided to leave and go to a place where there is no more illness. Since Danielle was a baby she fought to be "normal". While the illness knocked her down she continued to get right back up. We all thought it would happen this past admission, but this time her body and spirit were just to tired. She was healthy and blowing 110 FEV1 right up until 8 weeks ago. I think Danielle just didn't want to go through this any more after being able to breath for the past 12 months. The hardest thing for me, was to let her go. Her Dad, brother, Stepmom and I were with her. We all wished her well and promised to see her soon. Her nurse friends and doctors came to her side to bid her farewell. We bathed her, washed her hair and put it in a french braid, just like when she was a little girl. Dad bought her a hot pink Children's Hospital T-Shirt. She looked so beautiful.
So many people came out and paid their respects to her and the family. Her friends from Chorus sang a special song, and her chorus teacher sang the hymns at the Mass. There were three Priests and a Deacon who officiated over the Mass. They all knew Danielle very well. At the end of his Homily, Father Brian put both hands on her casket and said " Good Job Danielle! " That says it all...
Love,
Barbara Soares
Mom to my beloved Danielle