A Precious Gift

Jungle George from Texas notices I am stopping at every airbrush stand. “Are you going to get your body painted he asks?” Oh No, I exclaim! I've looked at hundreds of samples during Daytona Beach Bike Week, but I’m unable find the perfect butterfly for the back of my leather vest. I can't quite describe what I would like, but my heart is searching for a very special one. Jungle George knows the perfect man for the job and introduces me to Todd. I want this butterfly to cover the back of my vest, my favorite color is purple; the rest I'll leave up to Todd. I don't mention why I want this butterfly.

As I turn away, I noticed the helmets and bikes Todd has at his stand; skulls and crossbones, demons and scary images and I wonder “What have I done?” Oh well, I can always purchase another vest. We head off to listen to a band and await my butterfly. Half an hour later, we return to see what Todd has created. As soon as I see my vest I burst into tears. All the tough bikers around me disappear, and Todd stammers, "I'm sorry…. I didn't bring the right paints for something like this."

“Oh no, these are happy tears!” I felt as though Todd had looked into my soul and painted an artist's rendering of my heart. The reason for my tears was that Todd had added tiny pink hearts and shining stars on the soft purple butterfly he had created. The instant I saw the hearts I thought of the sweet Irish man I met who had received the gift of my daughter Candi's heart when she died at age 13. Todd did not know that pink was Candi's favorite color. The sparkling stars reminded me of a saying I carry in my heart, "Perhaps they are not stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones shine down on us."

Todd won't accept any money for painting this beautiful, perfect butterfly. Later in the week he tells me that he and his family of 6 were homeless when they arrived in Daytona, but yesterday someone had come along and given him a place to live. Todd tells me, “It’s because of the butterfly.”

The butterfly symbolizes to me new life for the four people who received Candi’s heart, liver and kidneys and the comfort and healing I feel knowing her short life is still helping others.

Ride for Life Poker Run - January 17, 2009

We are so excited to announce our first annual "Ride for Life" Poker Run to be held in West Palm Beach on Saturday, January 17th, 2009. Hope you will join us! Details to follow soon!

My life and love will ripples make...

Candi's Birthday ~ October 28th, 1981

The first page of Candi's baby album has the verse:

Like a single drop of rain

That on still waters fall

My life and love will ripples make

And touch the lives of all.

So read this precious story

As step by step I grow

I am a blessing and a gift

As each page here will show.

Full of love for this new little daughter and dreaming of pink dresses, proms and weddings, I loved this poem. I had no idea that our time with Candice would be so short and that her life, her story, would impact millions around the county. In fact, with the difficult pregnancy and dangerous birth we had already endured, I thought the worst was over. It had to be, it was a miracle she was even here! I feel so very thankful for the gift of this tiny daughter.

But that wasn't all, there was more. Something was wrong. Her pediatrician, Dr. Constance Glasgow and I knew it, but we could not find it. Six months and many, many trips to various specialists, we finally have a diagnosis, Candi has HYDROCEPHALUS. This terrifying news is followed immediately by brain surgery, then another, and another. My tiny baby endured it all with a sweetness that stole the hearts of everyone who cared for her. I am reminded of the poem in the beginning of her baby book, “My life and love will ripples make and touch the lives of all.” Wow, little one, look at the lives you have touched!

Surely, now the worst was over now! We have a diagnosis and a cure - another miracle! Now I can just enjoy my little daughter. Joy and laughter fill our home. We are a happy family with two precious daughters and I feel incredibly blessed and grateful.

Oh how the ripples are spreading… I am invited to become part of a network of mothers called Parent/Friend. As a volunteer member of this organization, I took phone calls from families struggling with the news that their child has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. I help them process this terrifying news. I listen to their stories, fears and questions, and share with them what it was like for our family, helping to comfort others with our story. I am amazed!
Little Candice – look what a difference you are making in your Mommy’s life and in the lives of so many others. You are “A blessing and a gift to all who know you.”

But the ripple would spread farther that I could ever imagine. Candice was destined for more, much more…