A Pictorial of Then and Now

Wendy on Easter morning finding all her goodies from the Easter bunny. She loved all the things that were in her basket. I always tried to help the Easter bunny out by adding things such as books and clothes. One year the kids were outside looking for the eggs that were hidden, when Wendy spotted one in a crocus patch (we had placed a dyed-yellow egg in yellow crocuses). Wendy promptly went over and stepped her baby foot right down on the flowers as she had seen a bee and thought it was a bug that you were supposed to dispose of. :-) Needless to say thru our chuckles that egg was not any good (totally smashed), but thankfully she missed the bee, the first "bugs" of the season :-)

Wendy in her baptism dress. Wendy was not baptized until she was around 3. The priest always held the babies up and said "Behold this child", but Wendy was much older then the rest. So that day after the priest was done with the tiny babies and he came to Wendy, he just hugged her to his shoulder. Wendy buried her face into his shoulder and covered her eyes as everyone was applauding her actions. She liked the party after much better :-)

Wendy about 4 years old. She was a little sprite and did she love the animals. Outside playing with them was her favorite thing. She is all done up in her pigtails and raring to go. She is with one of our hunting dogs that unfortunately learned to back-track (not a good thing for beagles), so she became our house dog. Her name was Brandy. Wendy and Brandy are with a couple of pups that we raised named Mac and Moose.

Wendy and her brother Will, May of 1985 for Wendy's first communion. It brought tears to my eyes to see her dressed up like a little bride. She had developed a touch of eczema and we were treating it with topical medicine from the doctor. Wendy was so self-conscious that someone would see and laugh at her. But no one did. We gave her a little black/white TV for her first communion present. Wendy was so thrilled as her brother had won one and they fought over the darn thing all the time. As a matter of fact, I just got rid of that TV this past summer, it lasted a long time. (Unfortunately longer then her)

Wendy during her sixth birthday party at "Chuckie Cheese". What a great thing to dream up not only for the parents peace of mind, but the kids have so much fun. They have games and rides inside for youngsters and of course pizza!! This is Wendy with Chuckie himself. She had such a great time with her dear friends, and mom liked not having to clean up any mess!! :-) Below is her cake with Garfield, her favorite cat.

Toddler Wendy all dressed up for a warm morning at home in one of her favorite bathrobes. That robe was so warm and cuddly it just doubled the warm feeling that Wendy exuded herself. If you look at her smiles thruout this page and others, you will see how very bright and overwhelming all her smiles were, always.

Wendy in the first grade, the proverbial *All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth* year. She had real problems pronouncing her th's and as a consequence they wanted her in speech therapy. I declined as I thought it would just frustrate her to try and make that particular sound with no front teeth....Try it, you can't without some difficulty using your tongue pushing on your teeth, and for a 6 year old I didn't feel it was in her best interest. :-) She was fine after her teeth appeared......

Wendy and the big guy in red, she didn't love him early on but loved all the *stuff* he brought. I think Wendy believed in Santa until she was about 7 y/o or so, and sadly learned the truth due to family problems and changes that were occuring during that time frame. She loved Christmas, but don't we all......She always loved the spirit of the season though, as we all learn that Santa lives on in all of us.

So are you thinking she put another picture of the Wendy kid in her album, (big surprise-lol) but I guess I felt I needed to put this one here. It is I, at a very tender age. Many who have seen the picture thought it was Wendy, but saw a lot of resemblance between us, so I included this picture so that you can judge for yourself. (Hint, if you look at the really old fashioned hat-it would have given it away-LOL)

This is a picture of Wendy with her two step-brothers, Billy and Scott, just after Bill and I got married....They declared there and then that they would be her protectors for all-time, and she loved it! Nothing like having a couple of bigger guys to help you.

Wendy right after she was enrolled into Cork Elementary. Her teacher at that school just loved all her kids and made them feel all special. She took individual pictures of each of them sometime during the year. And of course she got Wendy with her famous smile in place.

Wendy and her Great Aunt Mickey when we visited them in Florida. We had to move my Aunt Mickey and my mom up here a few years after this picture to help take care of them and Wendy was the apple of Mickey's eye! Sadly she did not make it to Wendy's graduation from high school, but I know she was there in spirit.

Wendy putting on Bill's boots to go outside for animal chores. He always asked us if we *borrowed* his boots to go outside and we always said...."No, way"....So I laughingly shot this picture for good natured blackmail, hence the goofy smile she has on her face. Below her is our calico cat, Ms. Mew Mew (she wanted to help too....)

This picture was taken at Virginia Beach during one of our best vacations. Wendy loved the surf and the sand and I have very fond memories of this summer. We swam, slept, went sighting, roller bladed and went bike riding on their boardwalk. Also included was good ole sunbathing, dolphin watching and eating to our hearts content. :-)

This is a picture of Wendy upon receipt of passing her driving test. As we were leaving the exam center at the first major intersection the car broke down totally and we had to have it towed. We teased her relentlessly about this aspect that she must have done so well the car *passed* out-LOL. This is her with the car and her paperwork proclaiming to all that she passed. (Side note-this was the first of 3 driver's license that she obtained as she kept loosing them-hahahahahahaha)

Wendy's first and only car. She loved this car with a vengance. We had told her that we were going to look at trucks for Bill and did she want to come. Of course she said no that she would pass. When we got home that night she asked if we got one, we said yes (but did not tell her that it was not a truck), and we just said that it was midnight blue. When we got the car a couple of days later, we drove in and her jaw just about hit the pavement. Without going into lots of other long stories, I just will tell you though that she obtained the nickname of *crash* from quite a few people-ouch.....

I used to take pictures of Wendy on her first day of school thru most of her high school years. She would always say *Oh ma*, but I don't think she minded. Now I am very glad I took these pictures. This is the first day of 10th grade. With her is our dogs Fluffy (on the bench) and her daughter Janie. Both dogs are now with her on the other side. I miss them all.

This was the 3 of us the day that Wendy was inducted into the National Honor Society. She was a junior in high school and very proud that she made it. We had to write a speech to share with the entire school body and although I don't remember all of the words that we wrote, I remember telling her that we would always be in her corner. So this is us, Sharon, Wendy and Bill. We were in a hurry to go home to change to return for her track meet that night.

This is Wendy in my prom dress from 1969. I had it in my cedar chest and I was rearranging clothes from summer to winter and she saw it. She wanted to put it on, complete with gloves. It fit perfectly and I couldn't resist the photo moment.

This is Wendy in her prom dress with her date Greg. The year was 1995 and she looked like a dream. Greg told us that he almost fainted when she came down the stairs. He couldn't even pin his flower on Wendy had to do it. They looked great together. Sadly Greg became one of her pall bearers a mere 1 1/2 years later.

This is one of the many pictures from graduation day in June of 1995. I chose this one because it is one of the few pictures I have of Owen and Wendy together. This young man is still a part of our lives in a big way and this year (2000) we are going to his graduation from Syracuse University. He was/is Wendy's best friend and a lovely person through and through (hope he doesn't see this and get a huge head-lol). But, we will always love him......he sadly was also one of Wendy's pall bearers and is in our lives to this day in a huge way. Thank you Owen.

These are 3 of Wendy's sorority sisters from Delta Delta Delta from the OWU campus. The girl on the far right was Wendy's roommate as well (Lauren). She left OWU after Wendy's death and is thankfully doing much better now at another school and is graduating this year (2000). I wish all these girls the best and brightest that life can offer. My daughter loved them all.

A picture of me, Wendy and my sister Barb watching Wendy open her graduation presents during the summer of 1995. What a happy day that was and a fond memory. Her friends and families that came were amazed that I even planted the annual flowers that year to match our theme for the Fourth of July (red/white/blue). It was a huge success and the only time that Wendy truly loved being the center of attention.

Wendy on the shores of Lake Michigan. This was the only trip she ever took alone to visit some friends the summer of 96. She had a wonderful time and I am grateful that she had the opportunity to go.

Wendy with her beloved cat, Bishop. She got him on Mother's day 1996. We were just having a quiet day at home and Bill & Wendy went to get hay for our horses. She came home all excited and told us of this kitten that followed her with each bale of hay. I said to her *Why didn't you ask to take him home?* She was so excited, Bill and her called and went right back to get *Wendy's* kitten. So my last mothers day I got to give her a gift. He is now the apple of our eye her and we treasure him so much. One day he was supposed to go with Wendy, but will wait until his time and spend it with us. He is so spoiled! LOL

This was the last time that we were on OWU's campus for parents weekend in October of 96. Wendy truly loved the big ole trees and all the colors. She wanted to take pictures of the changing colors and we were the subjects in the photo. She wanted to have all the leaves raked together and jump in them like when she was very young.

These are pictures of Wendy's final resting place. We live in the country and she is buried across the road from us in our township cemetery. Some may think this is morbid, but I feel comfort knowing I can visit her final resting place anytime. We chose this plot as we can see it from our porch and from the window that I write and talk on the computer. The back of the headstone says *Our shining star, yesterday, today & forever". Truer words were never spoken.

These are the cats that let us live with them (lol). The first two are Bishop (the orange cat), he was Wendy's cat. She received him on mothers day of 96. He is with *uncle* Rags (Rags sadly passed away this past November). The next cat is Stash, our oldest male, and next is his sister (yes they came from the same litter (?) Ms. Mew Mew, our female calico who really rules the roost now.

Misty Blue, our newest little addition to our family. She came and adopted us Labor Day Weekend, 2000. I was missing Rags so much still and pushing for another kitty. Bill kept saying *NO more animals*. We came home from the local country fair and it was so hot I was going to go swimming, when we heard this pitiful cry. It turned out to be Misty Blue (we named her that). She had a collar on her neck that had completely rubbed the fur off and she had NO body fat. So Bill said after she was in the house, *Well Lord, I guess you decided that one for us* LOL

Misty Blue and Bishop a couple of months after she adopted us. Although she is not very trusting of the other cats, Bishop finally made the move to not only try to play with her but to rest with her as well.

Tutti Fruitti, the newest addition to our family (2003). We adopted her thru the humane society and she has really turned into a shake up for the household. She had a cold when we got her and as a result she does not meow, she squeeks, so Bill calls her monkey at times. She sure is full of energy and keeps the older ones on their toes.

Merlin our gelding. Wendy rode him on occasion, but really was NOT a horse person. She mainly rode to be kind to her mom as our other gelding Rufus whom we just sold, was much easier to ride with both of them. So now Merlin is alone but a welcome addition to our farm and loved by all.

UPDATE: October 26, 2001, Merlin, my dear gelding and friend of going on 7 years had to be put down this day. I just had picked up these pictures the same day of him walking around loose in the summer of 2001. He thought he was so kewl, until he got out in the open and then decided *really kewl* and started to run off. We got him stopped. He was always such a good guy. Just about anyone could ride him, another dream ends *sigh*. God Bless you Merlin.

Lovingly created 11-1-01 by my dear friend Melissa, Thnx so much!

A group picture for Bill's birthday in March of 97. These are the few friends that stuck by us thruout the beginnings of our tragic rebuilding of our lives. From the left is Keith and Ryanne (Ryanne was Wendy's step-mom and is now married to Keith and they have two lovely little twin girls Brittany and Rachel), Owen (Wendy and ours best friend), Me and Bill (the birthday boy).

This is Tom from Tennessee. We met him online thru a support group and we happily have became lasting friends. He lost his wife Alita and I like to think that she is guiding Wendy and is her eternal *mom*. Tom is standing in *Wendy's Garden*, a place that we decided to make into an angel area with lots of lovely flowers, angels and young trees.

This is Misty, also from an online group. We were fortunate enough to attend a convention of bereaved people in Canada the summer of 97 to meet many of the peoples that we had grown to love and care about. Misty lost her son Aaron from a tragic accident and has been a loving friend for a long while.

A picture of some of our solos group (survivors of a loved ones' suicide). Pictured with Bill from the left is Christine (the founder of solos, she lost her son, Trevor), Shellie (she lost her husband, a police officer), and Nancy (she lost her daughter, Jennifer). We are all survivors of the dreaded disease of depression that robbed us of our loved ones.

This is a group picture from our MOH (Meeting of the Hearts) convention trip. From left is Karen (she lost Grady her son), Rhonda (she lost her sister, bil, and 3 nieces in one car accident), Judy (whom hosted this event and lost her son Robbie), and Kaz (she lost her husband, and a fiancee). We had a wonderful time and this really cemented our relationships, starting out unseen and becoming seen friends and much more.

This is a picture of Bill and I during Stacie and Tim's wedding in November of 99. Stacie was one of Wendy's best friends up thru high school and beyond. It was tough for us to go, but we would not have missed it for the world.

This is Laura, another best friend of Wendy. She was the maiden of honor for Stacie's wedding and she was just lovely. The thing that flabberghasted all of us was that after they purchased Laura's dress they realized that it was extremely similiar to Wendy's prom dress (the red one pictured earlier on this page) and were afraid I would be upset. On the contrary it made me and others feel like Wendy was right there with them.

Bill and Stacie on the dance floor. One of the hardest things was watching the *fathers* dance, especially for Bill. But, both of us couldn't be happier for Stacie and Tim and wish them all the good fortunes of the world. Stacie was a beautiful bride, and a fine adopted daughter for both of us.

Sarah, Mikey and Will (my son, his wife and my grandson), October of 99. These three were on their way to a halloween outing at our Cleveland zoo, hence Mikey dressed up as a bear. Aunt Wendy would have been a huge asset to his life.

This is my very bestest friend online/offline. We met thru an honor page and have grown to know each other through and through. She lost her son Galen to suicide. This picture is from 1995 with her entire family. Galen (the son that shares heaven with Wendy), Corey, Kathy, Kelani, Dave holding Samantha.

This picture was taken last fall (99) when we visited Kathy's home state in CT. We went out to a local restaurant one evening and while waiting for our table we snapped some pictures. This is Dave, Kathy, Kelani and her boyfriend Justin. They are a wonderful family and the best of friends.

This is a family picture of another of my bestest friends, from Georgia. This is Karyl, her husband Ron, her son Ron Jr. and Arlyn. Sadly Arlyn left this earth the same year and the same way as Wendy, and Karyl has helped me more then she can ever guess with sharing and caring. She is truly an inspiration to me and countless others with her untiring devotion to the bereaved. She has an online mail support group called Parents of Suicides and is the greatest of moderators!

This is Bill, Al and Diane from Ct. Al is a pastor in the Oassis ministry that has helped to lead Bill & I back on path to the Lord. I met him online thru these pages of Wendy's and we talked for many a evening. He is now dedicated to helping reach out and stop this insidious disease of depression and is doing a fine job. They have been to visit us twice over the past year or so and we love them dearly. Thanks guys.

Picture of our latest retreat at Karyl's house in Pavo, GA. We had the opportunity to go and visit March of 2001, and these are some of the dear people that we met while visiting. From left to right is Carol (Barry's mom), Lloyd (Stephens dad), Chris & Louie (Tori's mom and dad), and Geri (Daniels mom). And who said online contact with people is NOT a good thing? LOL

This is a picture of Ginny (John's mom), Donna (Adam's mom), Carol (Barry's Mom) and me (Wendy's mom) in front of the butterfly tree in GA.

This is Karyl, the founder of POS (parents of suicides) and it is her house that the retreat was held at. She is opening a small gift from Bill & I, that is a butterfly wrap-around for a doorway or window.

This is a full picture of the butterfly tree at Karyl's house. The tree is over 8 foot tall and holds not only butterflies, but pictures and nametags for all the many children that are sadly gone. It is a year round tribute to them all, thanks to Karyl. In the picture is Karyl (Arlyn's mom), Gin (John's mom), and Irene (MJ's mom)

A picture of birds flying high in the sky seemed an appropriate way to end this long pictoral. I like to think that amongst these creatures of God we all can learn to fly and among them are all of our loved ones here and there. God Bless you one and all and thank you for sharing my life and my daughter, Wendy's.