When my mom first saw Dani, she was so surprised by her spirit and the determination she had. And that bright red hair. She told me to come out into the hall and see this little girl who reminded her of me. Dani wasn't afraid to go up to anyone and start talking, for that matter she wasn't afraid to talk to them any place either. One time I was taking a bath in the hospital and you know at the hospital you lose a lot of privacy. But when I was in the bathtub that was the time for me to relax and not worry. Well I had my eyes closed and when they opened there was Dani at the end of the tub. She had placed herself just about in the tub and she was chatting. Telling me about her day and what was going on. Her parents tell me I was lucky she didn't just jump in there with me. Dani was also the reason I first went to Camp Rainbow Gold. I didn't want to go because I personally wanted to get as far away from Cancer as I could. Anyway I said I would go but as the day arrived I got scared and didn't want to go. We were at the American Cancer Society’s parking lot and the bus was arriving and my mom had told Dani that she didn't know if I would go because I was scared and I didn't want to be alone. Dani told my mom, "Don't worry I will take care of JJ." She took my hand and led me on the bus. It amazes me to this day how this little 7-year-old girl was so much braver and wiser then a 16 year old. She led me to my seat and sat next to me holding my hand. She began to cry when she realized that she was going to leave her parents. And made a little scene. But once the bus went around the corner so our parents couldn't see us Dani started to laugh. She had put on a show for their sake; just to show them she loved them. Dani was my inspiration and when she died I took it the hardest when I went to Camp Rainbow Gold for the second year. This time I was a counselor and I had the cabin Dani would have been in. That was hard. I made it through most of the week till the last night there. We have a ceremony where we write three wishes on pieces of paper tie them to a pinecone and throw them in the fire so they can go to heaven. Instead of wishes I wrote to Melissa, Dani and Kyle. Telling them I loved them. And when I threw it in and looked up three stars were shining brightly. We then went to the Candle lighting meeting where we talk about what ever we want. Mostly people discuss what they can't control. Then we light a Candle and blow it out when we are ready. Well I had talked about Dani and then when I was told to blow out the candle if I was ready I couldn't. It was so hard for me to say goodbye. And I felt by blowing out that candle that, that meant I was saying by to Dani forever. I blew it out but when I did my heart was at peace because she was still there and I felt her around me.
I LUV U DANI :) |
