Thursday, December 9, 2010

2010


We met Brande's heart recipient in July and she came to stay with us for a week in November of 2010. I was so excited to have Barbara Larson with me for the LOPA picnic this year. So much time has passed since I have added to this blog. I am so sorry for that. I will update you a little now. The following photo was taken on November 6th at the LA state fair and LOPA picnic. for more info go to www.lopa.org and look at the hero page to see how many families have helped save lives.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Barbara and Brande together forever!

Wow, We made it to Phelps Wisconcin to meet Brande's heart recipient. The news crew was waiting on us and Phillip just went through open heart surgery on june 24th. What a major week for all of us. We put Phillip into the hospital for emergency open heart surgery, once okay, sent the boys with my uncle Jim June,28th(thank you uncle jim & aunt Cindy) to their aunt cindy's until we arive in wisconcin on July 10th where mom and aunt cindy met us at Barbara and Jerry (Bear) Larson's home. you have to check out this link.... I will copy and paste the story...So wonderful to be there with these wonderful people....

http://www.wjfw.com/stories.html?sku=20100712010200

Main: General News: Local News


Heart to Heart Submitted: 07/11/2010



PHELPS - It's a journey that's taken nearly 15 months and 1000 miles, but this weekend one Northwoods woman meets the family of a 19-year-old girl who saved her life.

Barbara says,"She's saying I love you mom."

Sherry Denson Sellers is hearing her daughters heart beat once again.

She says, "I can hear it."

A heart that saved Barbara Larsen's life.

Sherry says, "That's amazing. Thank you."

The two women met face to face for the first time this weekend.

Sherry says, "It's like I've known her my whole life, I mean it's unbelievable that I just feel so comfortable sitting right here next to her."

Barbara adds, "It was comfortable when I hugged her."

A hug that's possible thanks to organ donation. Sherry's 19-year-old daughter Brande died April 22nd, 2009 from injuries in a car accident in Lousiana. But as Brande left her family, she gave new life to seven people.

Sherry says, "My child has done more in death than I ever will in my life and that to me is unbelieveable."

Barbara needed a new heart after suffering a heart attack. She waited for nearly a year, trying an experimental machine to keep her alive. And on April 23rd, 2009 she got the call.

Barbara says, "They had a heart for me. They had to get me to Eagle River real fast, onto an airplane down to Madison, which an ambulance then took me to the hospital and that night after midnight they put my heart in."

Sherry adds, "I knew from the moment my daughter went to heaven, I would meet her."

But the meeting almost didn't happen.

Barbara says, "I was so worried what is this mother going to think with her daughter's 20-year-old heart in my body."

Sherry says, "She said I was scared because of my age and I said I don't care if you're 102, if your heart's beating, I am so happy."

A happiness that's also shared by Barbara's son.

Brian Musial says, "I cannot thank them enough for how much they've helped her and I would ask everybody, for Brande, to sign the back of your license and become an organ donor."

One heart, bringing two families together.

Both Sherry and Barbara are now both involved in promoting organ donation.

Sherry says one organ donor can save up to 50 lives.

If you'd like more information about how to become an orgatn donor you can click on the links below.


Related Weblinks: LOPA: Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency www.lopa.org

Donate Life Wisconsin
Donate Life Website

Monday, April 5, 2010

Shreveport Bossier Christian Family

The Shreveport Bossier Christian Family is a small newspaper magazine in our community. It offers christian information on many subjects and this month it was all about Organ Donation. What an awesome article they wrote about our angel and the gift of life she has provided by being an organ donor. I read the article and it is totally awesome. Brande is our hero and like so many has helped save many lives across the nation. The whole magazine is filled with hero's such as she. You can review it online by clicking on the web address below at http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35034 on page 12 & 13. You know, Brande's accident happened a year ago 4/12/2009 and it was Easter Sunday. We did not cook dinner this year. My nephew Joe Montrosse came down and took care of mom and I. We went out to dinner with my husband Phillip, our boys,Myles and Reece, mom and pop too. First time I have ever had Mexican food for Easter. We tend to do funny things when the chair at the table sitting empty.
I know that she is still with me, but gees, I miss holding her and hugging her and picking on her when she Would do silly things. My memories will always be treasured and always be happy, but this was hard for me. I remember her hiding eggs with me last year for the boys, and taking them to First Baptist Church with me for an egg hunt on Saturday that was already over when we got there. The youth minister and a few people at the church ended up putting out more eggs just for our family. That was really memorable and fun. it was the day before her accident and my last day to look into her smiling face and see my baby girl. What a wonderful day we had together. I am praying for a celebration of her life on the 22nd of April. This is the day she passed and I do not want to be alone, So I am thinking of things to do that day with my children. My husband will be leaving me that week for a trip with the school and I need lots of prayer. If you have any suggestions please leave them in a comment for me. Thanks and lots of love.... Sherry Denson Sellers


Thank him Daily.
Sherry Denson Sellers

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

How Blessed I am because of you


My God is an awesome God! On top of being invited to speak to members of LSU Hospital and LOPA I was given an amazing gift today. Libbie Harrison I love you girl. You know when God gives you a blessing it is certainly a blessing. Libbie Harrison (Justin Harrison's mom) sent me an email with the following information and I must say it is awesome except for the photo of me. I do not deserve an ounce of gratitude. I am where I am because of what Brande did. Nothing I could do could ever measure up except being a donor of course. Libbie and I became friends because of our children. They brought us together for friendship, support and hope. I am adding a photo of Justin. He is also on the hero's page at lopa.org. please go to the website listed below and read pages 12 & 13 about Brande and organ donation. Thank you Family Christian News. What a blessing my child is to so many and what a blessing God has given me by turning our tragedy into triumph for so many.

http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35034

page 12 & 13

Friday, March 26, 2010

April 1st is no Fools Day for Brande

I have just been contacted by Libbie Harrison at LOPA.org to speak for a group of people on 4/1/2010. What an honor and gift for me. My heart races when I get an invitation to speak. I am so very proud of my child and what she has done for so many. I will speak at a luncheon and training for the LHA. www.lopa.org go to the hero's page to see our angel.
thanks so much
Sherry Denson Sellers



820 Jordan St.Suite 385

Shreveport, LA

71101

(318) 425-2237

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Help

this book is dedicated to my angel and child Brande Nicole Denson




I would also like to dedicate this to my children, Brande's Sisters and Brothers


Christy Denson Pettiette


Jennifer Denson Black


Myles Ellis Sellers,


Phillip Reece Sellers




I always wrote poetry growing up. I wrote letters and short stories. I dreamed of being a writer and speaking to huge crowds. of what subject I did not know but I knew I would write. It was only after the death of my youngest daughter that I quit working and started living. I still make money, but it is for helping people, not for working. I am currently helping a few girls in an H&R Block tax office because they needed a file clerk, receptionist, coffee maker, floor cleaner, trash handler, etc. I was just sitting at home in a vortex of endless cleaning and laundry when I decided to let go and help someone other than myself. I will only be here until the end of the tax season and then I will help someone else. Who knows I may even finish this book.




I have read a number of books since Brande went to heaven. She now shares her energy with me and so many others in this nation. I am overwhelmed by her presence and her love. She gives me peace and visits me in my dreams. It is truly amazing when you let yourself go and just accept the notion that people really can and do communicate after the release of the body. Now Brande's organs are being used to help other people survive on earth. We have some pretty odd stories about that too. You will find some things quite ironic and sweetened by her touch throughout the book.




This book is not about Brande though. it will refer to her because she has given my life purpose, but the reality of this book is about all of us. What we are, who we are, what we are meant for and why we exist.




XXXX




What do you need from the time you are conceived? Help, that's what. You need help from your mom to take care of her body and you from the time you are conceived until you are born and then some. My youngest boys who are now 7 and 9 still think I should do most everything for them. Well, today I made them fix their own lunch. What a mom. I helped them with the bread and removed a few things from the fridge and the cabinets and they did the rest. Now if they have lunch in those bags it will be a great accomplishment and they will have helped someone. Who? why themselves of course. When you help yourself accomplish something you grow stronger and feel better about who you are. We really have to be careful when we help ourselves sometimes, because we also tend to become full of ourselves. It is like something I learned from Dr. Wayne Dyer and the Shift. When we let our ego take over we are Edging God Out of our lives. This is by the way a wonderful book, and movie. I was walking through the den one day and the TV was on QVC which I never watch because it is harmful to women. I heard a man talking about your life changing and you never being the same. I don't know what hit me, I do too. It was God telling me to listen, because otherwise I would have walked right by and exited the room. I listened to him talk for about two minutes and I called to place my order for the book, 6 Cd's and the video. It came in about a week and I tried to watch it. I found myself too busy with work, kids and dinner to watch it. My husband watched it and told me he absolutely loved the video. I finally went to bed and put it in a small DVD player and watched the video. I have been listening to the audio books every day in my car. I recommend it very highly. You see I am doing what God intended. I am helping people by recommending Dr. Dyer's books. He is not paying me. I don't even know if he will let me write this but I love his work and I hope he approves.










My change or Shift as the Dr. mentions I believe happened for me when my daughter Brande Nicole Denson died due to a brain stem injury on April 22, 2009. Brande was born on 11/3/1989 in Texas where her dad and two sisters still live. She has two older sisters who I have been gifted to love for the past 26 years. The oldest having 3 boys and the next getting married in San Antonio in Sept 2010. Brande and her sisters helped me and each other with love and reinforcements in support. Although I was the baby of a herd, I loved babies and kids. Heck I still do. When I married Brande's father I became an instant mom and helper. I helped their father get them to school, to dinner, gymnastics, ballet, tap, jazz, and whatever else they were into at the time. I think the most important thing I have learned so far is that I did help them and they helped me. They helped me realize that I was worth something. I did not feel that growing up and i caused myself a lot of grief because I could not grasp my self worth. I know now that I never had to doubt that I could be loved. I just had to love myself first. First and foremost we have to learn to love ourselves. To give ourselves the time we need to sit back and realize our mission is about help. It must begin with helping the helper. You are in fact that person. You were born to help others and have been doing it all of your life. Even a drug dealer helps others. He does not help them for the right reasons. He helps the weak remain weak by selling them drugs. He is helping suppress their true self, but he is helping. Some parents I know help their children finish their projects, clean their room, do their laundry and much much more. A woman falls into a mothers role and believes this is her purpose. What she is doing is helping her family, but they can also help her by taking on responsibilities and doing things themselves. Helping themselves by helping her.




I have been very blessed to have met a variety of people in my life with different values and ideas of helping others. One woman who walks down my street 4 blocks with groceries to help an elderly lady when she herself is 65-75 years old. I pick her up when I see her and take her to her destination. When i ask her why she is walking she tells me she is taking care of her elderly friend as if she is only 25 years old herself. What an inspiration for me. I can only hope if my earthly body is here as long as hers I will feel 25 years old.




Another friend bought a horse in Arabia and had it shipped here to her daughter. She has a huge home and her kids are fairly spoiled, but they are very kind people and it saddens me when people treat them unkind because of jealousy. I think most women comment on her because they see the way her husband treats her like a princess and they may not get the same treatment at home. Sure, she can be full of herself sometimes, but she always makes it a point to speak and I could call her anytime and ask for her help and she would either be there or send me help.


Regardless of if you are wealthy or penniless, it is what is in your heart that makes you who you are. I tease her about being spoiled and call her my media whore because she is always in the paper but I love her dearly and know she constantly helps people including me.




Another person I admire more than words can say is my mom. she lived her life with a strong sense of chi






Their mission it seemed the older she got was to help her with experiences they thought she should avoid that they learned lessons from. Back to helping through everything we do. We seem to help people or ourselves weather we realize it or not in everything we do.




Fear comes into our lives when we least expect it.





Brande was in an automobile accident on Sunday, April 12th and arrived at the LSU hospital unconscious and remains that way for the past 96 hours.Brande's condition has not made any majors changes from Wednesday. Wednesday, she did move her right arm voluntarily and responded to Sherry's voice with a noticeable increase in blood pressure. She has been cleaned up by her nurses and she looks terrific for her circumstances.Her current status has her resting well under sedation but today they are looking at placing a treach tube and remove the respirator tube so that it is easier to manipulate. Additional, they are looking at her potassium levels which are high. Her pituitary gland is not operating properly and they are working on controlling it with meds until further information is available. They have removed her brain pressure tube but left in the drain to continue the relief of pressure. Also, her sedative medication is being decreased to allow her to wake up on her own but they still have reservation about how she will react to waking up and not knowing where she is and fear that she might struggle during that period. We still want her to remain motionless.We want to thank everyone across the nation for their constant prayers as God has taken over and placed her in his hands for her full recovery. Our friends and family at Kings Highway Christian Church, and South field School have been invaluable in their support and prayer in the helping and healing of our wonderful daughter.Continued update will follow. Current time- 1:00pm Thur., April




Wednesday, April 21,2009
Brande has been taken off of the paralytic and the sedatives to see if she will wake. She has not been responsive so far. I met with her surgeons and there is no way to operate, so we are hoping for a miracle. They went through her MRI and showed me the damage that has been done and the difficulty of the situation. I had to find a hiding place today to pray. I ask God to tell me what to do. Two lovely women were sent to me to tell me to Get into a place and ask for strength and peace, for guidance and direction. I found a lot of peace in this scripture/ Hebrews 11:1-2-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds, were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.I am comforted to know that Brande is here for a reason bigger than my expectations of her. I just want to thank God first for giving me 19 wonderful years with my girl so far, and thank all of you who have prayers for her, me and my family. My heart is full of gratefulness for the love and support I receive each day. Please know without it I would collapse. We are swamped with calls of love each day. Please know today I had to just set my phone aside so please do not feel offended if I do not answer. I do hear your messages and read your text. I also feel your love and kindness each day.love Sherry




Brande Nicole Denson Our Hero
I remember so clearly Brande's 17th birthday. She got out of bed and came into the kitchen where I was doing my daily whatever moms do. I ask her what she wanted to do for her birthday and she replied. I want to go and give blood with you mom. What a great gift to give on someone's birthday. So not about her.... I am so proud of Brande and will have information on the people she has helped by donating her organs. My little girl is quite the hero and i love her. Please keep her recipients in your prayers that they might be healed by Gods loving grace and Brande's giving heart. sherryhttp://www.lopa.org/heroes.html Thank you for your heartfelt concern and all of your love for our daughter.Sherry Denson Sellers


You know what pleases me more than anything is now I realize that no matter what I do I am helping someone. Weather it is giving up a spot in a parking lot or buying lunch. Now I do not mean to say you should buy your family or kids MC whatever s every day. Fast food is just not good for you. It is filled with MSG and other things that will not help you in a good way at all. I am a fairly good mom. I do not allow cola's in my home.



I cannot say what will happen tomorrow but I know what I have learned so far is only a small part of what I have yet to learn. one thing I read today came from an interpretation of the Dow Te Chen

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

So, If I want to become whole,
I must let myself be partial.

If I want to become straight,
I must let myself be crooked.

If I want to become full,
I must let myself be empty.

If I want to be reborn,
I must let myself die.

If I want to be given everything,
I must give everything up.

Not that I should become a bum and live in the streets, but to know that I can live without the things I have coveted has changed my life. I have yet to give more than I have been given and that is my goal. I think when you can give more than you have been given you have given everything. Now, I do not mean giving up my couch or my kids tuition. I mean giving from within. For instance. I was raised into a good home and family. We did not have much but we had each other. I have blocked the teen years when I was abused and molested by people who did not belong in my life and who my family never believed would do such a thing. I searched my heart and let those pains go. I know what good things have come to me in my life. I always knew they would. I have had big homes, dogs, cats, kids, cars, money, travel, boats, and more. The only things of those mentioned that ever made me feel good all the time were the dogs, cats, kids and travel. I am not just talking about my kids either. I am talking about the kids I have met through my kids, through my church, and most of all through volunteering my time at the schools and hospitals. If you have ever volunteered for a children s hospital and met a parent who could not get a moment away until you arrived you would know exactly what I mean. Help is only possible if we realize that we can and should apply it to every content of our being.

What happend to me this morning was just a small gesture, but it helped a lady feel better who obviously forgot my name at a place I frequent. Now some people would get mad and feel shunned if they are forgotten, but I have learned to look for a smile. I know her name very well and when she came for me to sign the check for breakfast she could not read my scribble and had to ask my first name. I told her and as she began to apologize I piped up and stopped her. I simply put it. I would rather see you smile at me when I come in without knowing my name than know my name and frown when I show up. She smiled at me and agreed and I think it made both of us feel better. You see, letting someone know you are no higher or lower in status from them makes you feel good whether waiting tables or sitting in a corporate chair.

More words translated from the toa DE Chang

weather going up the ladder
or down the ladder
the journey is shaky
but with both feet planted
on the ground you are steady.

I find that concentrating on positive affirmation and good works makes me feel much better than being saddened by life or the things I hear about or encounter each day. When Easter came this year I did not want to be home. I did not want to touch the empty chair my child would normally occupy on Easter Sunday. I did not want to think about the blueberry pancakes we had last Easter for breakfast, or that it was the last breakfast we would ever share. Instead I went to a hotel and forced the rest of my family to have dinner in a Mexican restaurant and an Easter egg hunt for my boys in the hotel room. I know how much fun we have had in the past and I need to focus on this, but what an eye opener when you look back and see how selfish you can be sometimes. I know a lot of people will tell me I am not being selfish, but I am. When I want to pout that is being selfish in my book. I should be celebrating her chance to help others and focus on that. Focus on helping my family have a wonderful holdiay with their mother instead of thinking of my own feelings and making them sleep in hotels and eat in restaurants on Easter. It was pretty good food though. I must admit everyone seemed to be happy with the fair. Weather it was saving face for me or that they were truly okay, I feel that my selfishness created my sadness and I have to work on that.

Sometimes when we think we have it all figured out! How many times have we heard or said that one. Or, here's a good one. If I only knew then what I know now. That is something you hear yourself repeating when you become your parents age and your kids become you. Wow. How trusting we are of God and our parents until we begin to experience the intelligence we mistake for responsibility. We think we know it all and somehow we cannot keep promises, dates, term paper schedules, or much of anything having to do with being responsible. Those are the teen years into college. They are what they called the best days of our lives in a song.

I called a friend for coffee but she is always running a little behind in the am. We talked for a moment and it turned into 20. Have you ever done that? If you are female the common answer will be yes. She laid her heart on me about a child who is what she felt was picking on her child who is very meek, which more than not people concider a weakness. After listening to what this child is doing falling down and crying if her son will not play with him, then being abusive by words and action when he gives in. I told her It sounds to me like manipulation. This child has learned to get attention by manipulating people which probably includes his parents. The she told me about a dream she had with children being manipulated by adults. Now I do not know if the dream was telling her something or not, but I think believing what you learn and holding fast to the positive affirmation of things is best. I once heard someone say that a bad man is a good mans job and a good man is a bad mans teacher. It makes complete sense to me. I try to be a light for those I encounter and as God shine for all to see.

In the bible it tells us we are made of God, we are to be God Like, so when you ask where are you God? conciser this, Where is he not?.

My question for you today is this. When you feel compelled to do something what do you end up doing. So many times I have felt like there is something I needed to do and I did not do it. I refrained from it for one reason or another. I do not always know why, but mostly out of fear. I know that there have been so many times in my life when I worried about doing something because it either would not work out in my head, my heart or it would be embarrassing if it failed or was not accepted. I can honestly say that today I follow those urges, instincts, drives, or whatever you want to call them. I have felt so good since I started. Things just seem to work out when you know in your heart and soul that it is something you need to follow. You will know too. You have the capability of many things you do not realize you have inside you.

I for instance could have never written a book in the 80's. So, I say. I use the excuse of spell check. Being dyslexic I felt it necessary to use excuses when I had trouble overcoming something. I now understand that I could have written a book in the 80's. I could do anything then that I can do now. I just did not realize what was inside of me. When you see a kid like Tiger Woods who start playing with passion at three or four years old you realize that they have desire and they are doing what they love. When you see a woman who is raising a family with love in her heart and happiness in her eyes you know she is doing what she loves.





























Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Thanking the Louisiana Lions Eye Bank

The Shreveport Lions Eye Bank
721 Boulevard
Shreveport, LA 71104

Dear Christina, Paula and The staff at the Lions Eye Bank:

Please accept my greatest appreciation for your work in aiding me with the information on Brande’s Eye Recipients. I was so excited to hear that her eyes helped restore or improve someone’s vision. I think about it and wonder. If we were all blind would there be prejudice? I only know this. We know not what we can loose until we are faced with the challenge of regaining what we have lost. This is never easy, but knowing that by giving her organs Brande helped not one, but two people with vision problems makes me even more proud of my angel. I know you would have liked her. Everyone seemed to smile when she was in their midst.
We have her heart recipient in Phelps WI who is 66 years old. Her name is Barbara Larson and I will meet her in June 2010. She will also be here for the LOPA donor picnic at the State Fair of LA on Nov 6, 2010. I have also invited her Liver recipient Louis Smith from Gulf Port MS and his wife Charlotte who we met at the picnic last year on 11/7/2010. Brande was born 11/3/1989 and the state fair is where she spent most every birthday for the last 10 years. We have Kerry from LA who has her pancreas and right kidney, Serita from TX who has her left kidney, one man from Shreveport who has ligaments from her legs who can now walk after a motorcycle accident, and many others, including the two people in Ensenada and Tijuana Mexico I have yet to meet.
Wow. Now we celebrate one of her birthdays in Nov and so many more through her recipients. We have her hearts new birthday on April 24th, Barbara’s Dec 22 and her liver’s new birthday on April 23rd. We can now have new birthdays for her eyes and their recipients if we can find out the dates. It gives me so much to look forward to.
I am looking for employment in the field of donation, educating and supporting families faced with donation decisions. So, please if you find that your company has any openings I am a very hard worker and very passionate about what organ donation can do for everyone involved. I have worked in the public as an office manager
I would love to speak for your company on any occasion if you would just let me know. April will be a difficult month and because Brande had her accident on 4/12/2009, her accent to heaven 4/22/2009 I will have a lot to remember. The more I share about her, the better I feel inside. I will never fear her leaving only stand in awe of her accomplishments. She is my daughter, my angel, and so much more to me and so many others. What more can I say. Please read about Brande at the following web addresses where there are photos of our girl posted also.

http://www.lopa.org/heroes.html

http://www.brandesupdate.blogspot.com .

sherrydensonsellers@facebook.com

God speed and blessings to all.

Sherry Denson Sellers
1055 Southfield Road
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-294-9051 or 318-868-7190

Friday, March 19, 2010

forgiveness

Forgiveness, Wow, what a big word for so many people. It begins when we are forgiving of our self. We are worth a lot more than we give ourselves credit for. We are not to make anyone happy but ourselves and God has given us the wisdom, the will and the right to do so. We are born without guilt and only curiosity and admiration of our parents. Where we go from there is up to us. we tend to blame the way we end up on the people who raised us or the people we met in our lifetime. I have been the baby of a large family. one of over 35 grandchildren and was abused and molested. I quit school, ran away from home and found a way out of the abuse I was subject to. I knew that I would survive. I knew that my life would be better. I married into an abusive relationship and was even influenced by others to make decisions that were not good for my life. I decided that this was not the path I belonged on and forged forward into myself. Looking for what I was missing in my life. I found my second husband and had two more children. I found that I really liked children and that for some reason they liked me too. I moved from one job to another in the school system and and at the school where my husband teaches. I worked for GM as an office manager, did temp work for a number of companies and found myself wanting to be at home with my babies more than anything. I decided to stay home for a bit. Substitute teaching and having time for my family. I finally grew bored of cleaning my home and stumbling around in my Jammie's every day so I joined an MLM where you sell memberships to people to save them money. The membership is a great savings to many but the sales force became a nightmare with people stabbing people in the back and fighting to make money. I was really involved in the company when my 18 year old daughter died due to an auto accident on 4-22-2009. Brande was born 11/3/1089 and was my baby girl. She was going to college and doing all the things 18 year old do. I love and miss her so much. After her death I stayed with the company until I realized that I had become too dependent on the people above me. I waited on them hand and foot in any situation and traveled with them constantly. One day I went to meet them in Little Rock and they lied to me and would not answer my calls. They ignored me all night and I resented them for it. I got really drunk and really sick and blamed it all on them not being there for me. In reality it was not where God wanted me to be. I eventually gave up the business and focused on my life and what it means. I have still not really figured it all out yet, but I know there is something big coming and I am going to be a huge part of it. I have been speaking for my daughter since she died. I have been speaking for other people who need organ donation, and I know in my heart that God has a reason for what is happening. I am a volunteer for Donate Life and LOPA. I have all of the resources to be whatever it is God wants me to be. Since the book the shift and the video I found on qvc I have been really trying to focus on where I need to be and what I need to do for others. Where I am going and what I do depends on what I feel important and necessary. Right now selling memberships is not it. I am however playing tennis every Monday and Tuesday while building relationships with other women. I am working for a friend at H&R Block to keep me busy through this month of otherwise mourning the death of my child. Well I will still grieve and I will still mourn but I will not be alone at home doing it. I will be focused and fulfilled with love from friends and family. I feel physically tired but not from worry. I had a tummy ache from eating crab claws and marinade. I wish I could blame someone other than myself for my aches and pains. Oh boy.... How many times have you said that? Don't we just want to blame someone or something when things make us feel bad or just do not work out .


When we try so hard to figure things out the answer is usually right in our face. There is a time when people will feel inclined to do this for us. If we are made to help others they are apparently doing their jobs. We have to realize this when people go out of their way to help us weather we want their help or not. They are not only trying to help us, but they are helping themselves. Whether it makes them feel needed, important, fulfilled or just plain good, they are helping themselves by trying their best to help us. I know when I help someone it makes me feel good. I don't know how good it will make me feel until I finalize my commitment and provide the help they need, or that which I believe they need. I just know we are all here to do the one thing God created us for , help....


I have a few old acquaintances who are always willing to help, always willing to give advice to others in need of help regardless of the situation. Once when I was married to my first husband I had a situation that turned out to be very embarrassing because of these ladies. The women were all friends of my husband including his ex girlfriend. I ask a friend and his wife if they knew someone who did ironing. I don't mind cleaning, but I don't like to iron. So they gave me the number of an 80 year old man who's wife did ironing for others. I left the number on the kitchen table with intentions of calling this man to meet his wife when I received an invitation to lunch. The ladies wanted to meet with me which was very strange to me, but I agreed to go. They began to question me about an affair, about cheating on my husband as if they were really concerned. I told them that I had no idea of what they we are talking about. Then one of them piped up and told me that my husband found a mans number on a piece of paper and was concerned that I might be seeing someone. I laughed and told them it was really no big deal and explained who he was. Next I questioned my husband asking him why he would discuss this with his ex girlfriend before asking me who the number belonged to. He told me that it was because she was now his best friend and that he could talk to her about anything. First reason to abort the marriage. So I told the guy who gave me the number what had happened and he laughed. He waited until we were at the ex girlfriends birthday party and ask my husband in front of everyone if he thought I liked that 80 year old piece of ass better than I did his. Needless to say the women were just as embarrassed as the ex. They were helping for all the wrong reasons.


We know inside ourselves when we are truly helping others for the right reason. Not just to look or feel good, but because it is our purpose and what we were created for. That no matter what we do the help will be graciously given from our souls not our minds. The energy we create will be a positive energy or a negative energy. When we truly help the results are normally positive, or at least appreciated.



Friday, March 12, 2010

What Brande is doing now....


Friday, March 12, 2010

What Brande is doing now
I know I have not written in some time, so here is a huge update for you on what Brande is doing in my life and for others.

In October of 2009 I spoke at the Women's social at the University Club downtown Shreveport where I was supported by Southfield Moms and friends. It was great to speak for Brande and make people aware of the importance of grief counseling and organ donation.

Nov, I went to Mary Queen of Peace on HWY 71 to speak for a young man in need of a kidney transplant. I was really frightend because it was only one mile from where my Brande had her terrible auto accident that caused her death. God really carried me through this one.... Wow... I ended up speaking on Sat mass and Sunday.

Phillip and I took the boys (Myles and Reece) to Chicago on an Amtrak train one week before Christmas. We returned home on Christmas Eve. First I did not want to be home for Christmas because Brande would not be there for the first time in 20 years. Wow, what a punch in the stomach. So we decided to take the boys for snow and go to my haven in Chicago at our dear friend Paul's home where I love to hide with my family. Brande loved Paul so much and we always had a great time there. While there I called Brande's heart recipient Barbara Larson in Phelps WI. She was not doing so well. Going through a bit of depression and not understanding why God left her here I believe. She was worried I would hate her because she carries the heart of my 20 year old child. Bless her. I told her I did not care if she was one hundred and two, that if Brande gave her only one day then she accomplished what she sat out to do in life and that was to help others. After talking to Barbara I found that her dad was in the hospital in Indiana only 16 miles from Paul's home. My husband drove me there where I met her father Michael and her sister who was visiting her dad at the time. They would not let the boys in the rooms because of the N1S1 or swine flu so my hubby and kids did not get to meet them. They waited patiently for an hour or better while i got to visit and find out that it was in fact Barbara's birthday. When we returned to Paul's home I called her and wished her a happy Birthday. She told me she did not want to tell me because she knew Brande just had one in Nov. Well now she has many I said. Brande has more than one now and that is a great accomplishment in my book. Her Hearts birthday is now is April 24, and December 22. How about that. We talked for some time and she promised to make me an angel food cake when we travel to meet her in June 2010.

I am happy to say that I am working through my grief. It is hard to miss someone so much sometimes but the friends who love and support me and Brande are precious to my and my life.

I did an interview for Donate Life telling Brande's story on KTBS news on Jan 24,th 2010. I was interviewed by Sonia Bailes and assisted by Sheron Raymond from LOPA. Here is the web sight if you would like to watch the video.http://www.ktbs.com/player/?video_id=24894&zone=1&categories=1Please send this on to anyone you know.

Next, I gave up red wine for 40 days of lent. I did not do so good with other things, but one thing at a time I say. I am truly proud for making the adjustment and knowing God can give me strength.I also went to Christus Shumpert hospital on Valentines day (2/14/2010) to speak for Duane Ebarb and his group of cancer survivors. What an awesome group to speak to . They had so many questions about organ donation and took lots of literature to share with family and friends on the importance of organ donation.

Then on Saturday March 6Th I went to Sci Port science and education center in Shreveport, LA to a health and science fair where I shared information on organ donation and the importance of donation for families of organ donors and recipients too. I also met the director of the lions Eye Bank of Shreveport LA who was awesome and has agreed to try to locate the people or person who has Brande's eyes. I met people from life share blood center, gave blood and received an angel donor mug in honor of Brande who gave blood the first time on her 17Th birthday. What an awesome day for me.