My Grandaughter Kait~~~

[barbaranoela]

We sat and yapped away---(which she luves to do ) and in front of me sat a sweet--so simply innocent 19 year old--who will never run thru the world and just have a ball---
While visiting Aunt Deb, Kait bought little gifts for all of us--including 2 of her friends---which the 3 went from grade 1 right thru to graduation--
But @ this point have sorta dropped Kait---due to her issues--
She called Ashely,while I was there and asked why she hadnt returned Kait's calls--and Ashley said *the cat has been climbing on the phone and pushing all the buttons ---disconnecting calls??? but Kait went on--on and on talking---
We went to the mall and a gal ,with curly curly hair, walked passed us and Kait stopped her and just said--*I like your curley hair*--needless to say the girl was ? but I smiled and I gather the gal understood--and thanked Kait--

Kait is very into her church---reads the bible all day---and their church has taken Zambia as a *needy* project---
Lynn also has become very involved---matter of fact she was baptized--into their community---
The thing that I am getting too is this---I believe that the *big-guy* upstairs has re=arranged Kaits path of life to helping others that are more in need than she is--Kait wants to go to Zambia--with the elders that go--so that she can give them *hope*---so Kait is here to make life better for others!!!!

I sat--listened and my heart was beating like someone pounding on a drum--and thought---Kait is perfect----but not for *here*--she will make her imprint on life helping others---
This is not an *over-night* pack the bag thing---much has to be considered and in a way kinda scares me---yet if there is nothing here to make her feel *important* than so let it be---
But I do have to say-----(being honest) sitting there and listening to Lynn and Kait I wanted to scream !!enuf!!!
On the other hand Kristyn is the queen of the prom-- --U get what I mean--
Thus was my day-----enlightening---confusing---wanting to -- proud as a peacock to *hear* Kait---and her Xplanation of what she wants to do with her life--

Thanks for anyone that reads this---
luve Barbara

[TXBrenda]

Barbara,

Hang in there with Kait. Sometimes it helps to talk, Kait talking to you and you talking on this board.

I have a cousin three years younger than me (Melissa). She is the same age as my younger brother. When she was about 8 years old (in the early 70's), she noticed a lump in her cheek. It was cancer. Back then the only place to go for cancer treatment was Houston at MD Anderson. Her parents took her there and she endured the chemo and radiation treatments. She was finally declared cancer free in her early to mid teens. During all this, they discovered the radiation fused her jaw on that side. She was weak because she could not eat. Ended up removing the jaw bone. Not only is her skin disfigured from the radiation, but also her face is disfigured. She went to a small school in Texas. There were less than ten in her graduating class. After HS graduation, she went to Abilene Christian University. Today she has a BS, MS, and PhD in Phsycology. She lives in Vernon, TX. Along the way she has worked counseling people with drug and alcohol addictions as well as counseling children at MD Anderson that have been disfigured by cancer treatment. She taught at a college in Wyoming where she met her husband. I'm not sure if she teaches in Vernon or works for one of the hospitals there.

Why am I telling you this? When Melissa was so weak from lack of nourishment, her mother had another child. Dana was the light of Melissa's life. She was very weak but her mother let her take care of Dana as much as she could. Like you said this work in her church may be what it takes to get Kait past this point.

Sorry this is so long. Take care,
Brenda

[tex]

Barbara and Brenda,

What can I say? Both of you made me misty-eyed this morning, along with a renewed appreciation for life. Thank you for posting those glimpses into the reality of life.

As you've both so eloquently pointed out, sometimes we just need to step back, and appreciate what we're seeing.

Luve,
Tex

[starfire]

Yes, everyone needs a focus and even more so when your own life is so "out of your control".

I'm glad Kait has found one and what marvelous accomplishments Melissa has had. I don't even know her but I'm so proud of her.

I think Kait will lead a fulfulling life also even though she's had such a rocky start.

Love, Shirley

[JJ]

Wow, that gal is amazing! Go Kait!

Love, JJ