Thursday May 14, 2009

What a great day (not) where is the sun and where is the warm temperature?  What’s up with the cloudy gloomy sky?  Summer can’t get here soon enough.

Ok my therapy today is writing in Leanne’s Journal.

(Laundry, cleaning, ahh it can wait it will be there another day too.)

Well it’s been a rough couple of weeks.  There were some really bad, sad days and other happier days of celebrations.  It’s so true you never know what is going to happen each day that could change your day or life in so many different ways.  So live it up people while you can one just never knows when it’s your turn to have your world rocked and shaken.  Your head could be held up high and everything is going perfect then that one second comes happy or sad that just throws your life in a different direction.  Trust me life throws curves and twists daily.  Dealing with the changes is a challenge and sometimes a battle getting through it.

When we got the news that one of Leanne’s best friends had passed away after being in a bad car accident it was just totally devastating and shocking to our entire family.  We are still in shock that this has happened and to someone close to us it really hit home.  She was a beautiful girl, a great friend to Leanne and always a pleasure to have her around.  She would be one of the first girls to step up and help out with Leanne’s benefits.  She actually was planning on coming to the benefit at the end of the month.  She’s going to be missed by everyone.  Please keep Jenna and her family in your prayers.

We waited and prayed and lit a candle for Kristine (a dear friend of the family) to get good news about her bone marrow biopsy.  When we heard the bone marrow biopsy came back with no leukemia cells we were over come with happiness for her and her family.  We will continue to keep her in our prayers and pray the next blast of bone marrow will just do the trick and keep the leukemia from coming back.  We have plenty of prayers going her way and plenty of candles to light for her as well.  Her strength is truly amazing! 

Our neighbor & great friends of ours son made his first communion.  We all had a wonderful time at his celebration.   My cousin’s son’s Christening was the following day and the ceremony at the church was just beautiful and nicely planned.  The celebration after the Christening was very nice as well.  Spending some time with our families is always so nice to do.  (Even though I didn’t really get to see the baby or hold him again).  He’s just so cute and cuddly. 

I do have to say we went to all of these celebrations and had a good time but Jenna was on all of our minds.  It just really hit home for all of us.  It stirred up some feelings that we had felt once before and we relived some of those feelings all over again. Unfortunately now they are in our club the one that we never wanted anyone else to belong to.  We will always be there for them even to just lend an ear, cry with and share memories with.

Our next feeling of loss is our priest’s at St. Mary’s have all left for different parishes.  We became close with many of them and especially through Leanne.  One had left due to in injury a couple of years ago that we were very close with.  When hearing the news that our other priest that we were close to was leaving just broke our hearts.  I had tears flowing when he announced it at mass.  His last mass was said Monday and I joined some others that day and said our goodbyes.  Not a final goodbye because we are planning on visiting with him at his new parish.  Him leaving our parish is like losing a part of our family.  It’s hard to think the church will be the same with out him.  Father Dave brought Randy into his church and saw him through all the classes into becoming part of the Catholic faith.  He chose to do this because it was Leanne’s wishes.  Randy became good friends with him along the way.  We are so saddened to see him go.  I’m going to miss my hugs I would get from him to give me strength to go on. 

Graduations have already started for the colleges.  We went to one of Chris’s friends graduation party last weekend.  Time went by so fast.  I can hardly believe this young man was once just a teenager coming in and out of our house is now a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Force.  We have many memories of him and Chris as friends.  I used to see them jogging around town keeping in shape.  We have had many laughs with him and hopefully the laughs and friendship continues even after he moves to the west coast.  I’m still waiting for him to fly over my house.  I think it’s going to be happening real soon.  And no you can’t land on my house!  We all Wish him all the best!

Cam and Brian are almost out of school.  I’m counting the days and of course so are they.  I think we all need a break a good, long, sunny, warm vacation.   Cam will be starting summer hockey soon and playing on a few different teams this year.  This should keep us busy.  As for Brian well everybody knows he’ll be outside on his rollerblades skating and playing basketball. 

As for Chris he’s busy with all of his jobs and spending time with his new girl friend Diana.   She’s a very nice girl.  She’s a nurse and works in Boston as well as continuing to further her education taking courses at night.  She’s very outgoing and a pleasure to have around.  Chris has gone back to playing hockey.  His team won their first game.  He said it feels so good to be back playing but he’s having a hard time to not line someone up and check them into the boards.  Yes he’s playing in a non checking league which is fitting now that he’s older and has to worry about not getting hurt so he can go to work.  He had a bunch of friends over to watch the hockey playoffs.  I’m glad that he keeps in touch with all of his friends and they truly are a great group of young men.

We have all made our trips to the dermatologists.  Cam and Brian had there photo imaging done so that they can closely monitor them with each visit and make sure there are no changes and mark new moles if they appear.  Everyone but me has now been changed to yearly appointments except for me.   : (    I have to go back and have a mole removed and continue with my six month visits.  Better safe than sorry. 

The benefit for “The Leanne Schmall Foundation” is underway.  It’s being held Friday, May 29th at the Franklin Elks from 7 pm to 12 with a buffet being served from 8-9, dancing, silent auctions, raffles and time celebrating and remembering Leanne.  It’s also a great time to get together with family and friends a great way to have a little reunion and supporting the foundation at the same time.  Tickets are being sold ahead of time and also at the door.  We would appreciate it if people would purchase their tickets in advance so we have a rough idea how many people will be attending for the caterer.  We’re coming down to the last two weeks of planning.  If anyone has anything they can donate for silent auction or raffle’s please get in touch with me and also if you would like to purchase tickets.   You can email me at: schmall6@aol.com or Anne at: annegilberti@yahoo.com

and please put in the subject area “Leanne’s Benefit” so we know what the email is.  Our Mailing address is: “The Leanne Schmall Foundation, C/O Randall & Brenda Schmall, 188 Crossfield Rd. Franklin MA 02038.  Tickets to any events, autographs, baskets with products or theme baskets, or even a donation would be great.  If anyone has anything to donate we can pick it up as well.  Anything that you’re willing to donate would be really appreciated.  We hope to see everyone there.  It should be a great evening.

Dear Leanne,

Well I have to say it really hasn’t been that easy these last few weeks.  We really got by, by each others strength.  All your friends are also so supportive and just miss you so much and now they miss you and Jenna.  It’s sad that she was also taken away from her family.  I know how much they hurt and miss her as she must miss them as well.  Give her a big hug from her family and from ours.  I want you to behave yourself up there.  Just because you have a friend with you now I don’t want you getting into any trouble.  I’m sure Papa will have his hands full looking after you.  Make sure that beautiful white robe you must be wearing doesn’t get cut into a mini robe.  You’ll drive him crazy if you ever do that again.  I remember in Florida how much trouble I got into from Papa for you wearing that micro short skirt.  Of course you know it didn’t come that way you just thought you would design it a little shorter with a pair of scissors.  You then jumped into the car without anyone seeing how short it was until we arrived at the place we were going.  Then I got spoken to about how I could let you dress like that.  You little freshy!  I had to explain to him that I didn’t buy it that way and it was the first time I had seen it transformed.  Nana and I were talking the other day about the time the two of you went shopping and you really wanted an outfit.  Nana said she would get it for you but for you to only wear it around the house.  WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?  Telling you to only wear it around the house?  That was a laugh trying to check you every time you walked out the door.  Yes we are still talking about you and remembering a lot of good stories. 

I have to say I missed you baby girl on mother’s day.  Yes, another year without your homemade card and your smiling face.  Cam and Brian are still making homemade cards for me and I look forward to them every year as I did yours.  Chris brought me two beautiful trees for the yard.  I just have to figure out where to plant them.  I’m looking forward to watching them grow and one of them to flower.  I love looking at the flowers outside.  It just means it’s warm out and no snow in the forecast.

We love you and miss you with all our hearts and souls.  You’re Forever in Our Memories.

Love Always and Forever,

Dad, Mom, Chris, Cam and Brian                                                      

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Love ya and miss you Dad So So Much xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoWWW.SKINCHECK.ORG

"The Leanne Schmall Foundation" Benefit

Friday, May 29, 2009

7pm - 12 pm

Buffet 8-9, Dancing, Silent Auction, Raffles

Come celebrate Leanne's life with us

Franklin Elks

1077 Pond St.

Franklin MA

·         BELIEVE!!!! WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF PRAYER

 If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!

Every moment, thank God. Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Remember where ever you are and where ever you’re going God will always be there first.

 In our thoughts and prayers: Leanne, Dad/Papa, Mom/Nana, Ellen and her family, Denise and her family, Jenna and her family, Randy, Billy, Aunt Ricky, Aunt Phyllis, Pop, Rob and the Pirelli Family, Kenny, Kristin G., Charlie C., S.J, Al, Lil, Bob C., Father David, Father Dave, Sean & Laura's brother in-law, Bring our troops home safe and soon, Hunter, Savanna & Catalina, Grant, Brad M., Uncle Larry and all of his family, Patrick C. and his family, Our friends that have lost their jobs, Our Family and for all those that we have said we would pray for, all our families, friends and Everyone including all the Angels that support us and keeps us all in their prayers. May God bless each and every one of you!

Visit Jimmy's site for melanoma research that he has done and is working on. http://www.carepages.com/carepages/jimmyBreitfeller

 AND WWW.melanomamissionary.blogspot.com