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alice j. simmons 
July 12, 1943 - September 8, 2005
As we grow older,
we learn that being family
means more than being people
who just share a last name or a family tree.
Family are people
who are there for each other
when times get tough,
people who always want what's best for each other
and care beyond distance.
It's people who seek each other out
when few others would understand.
It's the people who are always first in our thoughts.
Family are the people we couldn't do without,
People like you . . .
And as we grow older,
we realize just how much
these people mean in our lives
and just how much they always have.
(written by renée duvall)
(sent to jen by Erron Simmons, MD after her graduation from med school, May 2004)
Welcome to Alice's Web Page. It has been provided to keep family and friends updated on her well-being and is being set up and maintained by her friend jen. This journey began in September 2003 when Alice was knocked down at school on the way back to class from the cafeteria (she is a fifth grade school teacher). She injured her back (which already was weak from a car accident years prior) and broke 3 ribs. After a period of time (about 2 months) resting, Alice began to lose the use of her legs and was taken to the hospital for tests. A tumor was discovered on her spine and removed. A biopsy of the tumor revealed this chains disease in her blood. A regimen of chemotherapy was begun as well as physical and occupational therapy. Two stem cell transplants were performed in June and October of 2004 at which time the cancer appeared to be gone. Many times Alice would go back and forth between home, the hospital and the rehabilitation center. Infections and viruses just kept coming but Alice remained brave and hopeful that she would kick this thing. Alice has been married to Raphael for 42 years, has 5 children (Greg, Lamont, Whitney, Erica, and Erron), 3 grandchildren (Alexia, Christian, and MacKensey), and numerous other family members and friends. She belongs to St. Joseph's Parrish in the West End where Raphael is a Deacon (retired) and she serves as the Praise & Worship dance instructor.
FAMILY GATHERINGS
great, great neices and nephews at great, great grandma's house
Oh, to be a child again
laughing at everything in sight
Look! Karla's making a face at you!
Shante's falling out of her chair!
She's crying because she thinks you
don't care.
Who is that giggling in there?
I don't know Aunt Tot,
It must be coming from upstairs.
Big Mama, where is your chair?
Children dancing, giggling, singing,
laughing
Will you do the Tina Turner again for me, Aunt Tot?
Move over, Mario; I want to see!
There is a clown in this group, making the children laugh;
I wonder who can she be?
Oh, I know the clown is me.
(by: Alice Simmons 1994)
PLEASE VISIT SOME OF OUR NEW FRIENDS:
www.hopeunlimited.org
caringbridge.org/ga/sarawilliams
"^"caringbridge.org/in/chase
caringbridge.org/oh/heidi
caringbridge.org/ga/chance
"^"caringbridge.org/sd/michaela
"^"caringbridge.org/tn/sadiegrace
caringbridge.org/oceania/girlieliew
caringbridge.org/asia/joanneho
caringbridge.org/canada/margaret
caringbridge.org/europe/laura
caringbridge.org/ct/lauren
caringbridge.org/fl/molly
caringbridge.org/fl/emilylester
caringbridge.org/fl/bailey
caringbridge.org/fl/christina
caringbridge.org/il/ej
"^"caringbridge.org/oh/esther
WHEN YOU LINK TO OTHER SITES YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF OTHER LINKS THAT GIVE INFORMATION, INSPIRATION, AND LOTS OF INDICATION FOR THE TREMENDOUS NEED OF PRAYER AND GOD'S INTERVENTION
***ALSO VISIT:
http://www.gospelcom.net/rbc/souljourney
for some wonderful spiritual inspiration
SACRED SPACES
The desire to
live, love, laugh
moan and groan
The joy of caring, sharing, bearing
tears and fears
Women, friends
hearers, doers
companions, confidants
Kneeling in sanctuaries
sitting under trees
resting at alters
Wearing another's burdens
life's stormy seas
ALL ARE SACRED ENTITIES.
by: alice simmons 1994
Journal
September 2005 The long hard 2yr battle is over
MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO PRAYED (and are still praying); MANY THANKS TO ALL THE CAREGIVERS, WELL-WISHERS, ENCOURAGERS, AND EVEN THOSE WHO JUST FOLLOWED ALICE'S BATTLE FROM A DISTANCE. THE SIMMONS FAMILY CONSIDERS THEMSELVES TRULY BLESSED BECAUSE OF ALL THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN THEIR LIVES. BUT MOST OF ALL, THEY FEEL TRULY BLESSED BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE ONE AND ONLY SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S ONLY SON WHOSE DEATH AT CALVARY PAVED THE WAY FOR ANYONE WHO WILL BY FAITH ACCEPT HIM AS LORD OF THEIR LIFE BY THE FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SIN ASSURING THEM ENTRANCE INTO HIS HEAVENLY HOME UPON THEIR DEATH. THANK YOU JESUS :)
Friday, September 9, 2005
Alice went to meet Jesus face to face at about 8:50 last night.
I met Alice at just this time of year 15 years ago (1990) as we sat for our 1st semester at the College of Mount St. Joseph in southwestern Ohio (Delhi). We met in Dr. Anne Garvin's education class for exceptionalities. Before the semester even ended, Dr. Garvin developed a brain aneurism and died. I took it pretty hard and switched to the socio-psychology dept but Alice stayed in education and became a wonderful elementary school teacher.
Alice and I have been through some very good and some very trying times these past 15 years. What I loved most about her was no matter how much I would go on and on, she would just listen. She never felt like she had to "fix it" for me. She was older and much wiser and my best mentor and friend. She would get so uncomfortable when I would beg her to tell me what to do as difficult decisions arose. She was my daughter Emily's godmother and one of the few people Emily would listen too.
I was so sure she was going to get well. I'm going to miss her so much.
I love you Alice; you can dance to your heart's content now.
Read Journal History
Hospital Information: THE SIMMONS FAMILY HOME
2132 Trapp Ct.
Cincinnati, OH 45231
Links: http://www.gospelcom.net/woh/ WORDS OF HOPE
http://www.kidsneedprayer.net urgent prayer needed
http://www.stemcellresearch.org pros and cons for stem cell transplants
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