Sunday, December 07, 2008

Shania Johnston Park !!!!!

Shania's 10Th birthday was on November 7Th. Karen, Shannon and I all took that Friday off and went down to the Royal Botanical Gardens again this year. It was a cool foggy day and the Rock Gardens are closed by then, but we are able to pull up beside the rock gardens in our car. We had three purple balloons with sunflowers on them and had attached small letters to Shania from each of us. This is a brutally hard thing to do, standing there on her B-day watching those balloons float off into the mist, over one of her favourite places, with notes that say things that we wish we could say to her, if there was only a cure for this disease. It is on this day that the crack in our hearts feel the widest and most painful. We cant help but wonder about her. What would she look like with those dimples, that beautiful caring smile with her being two years older, what would she have wanted to do on her tenth Birthday, so many what ifs flash through your mind on a day like this. It is so hard to go there on this day, but we wouldn't miss it for the world. It means so much to us. Now on to some much happier Birthday notes, we would like to thank Jessica Kerr on her 8Th Birthday for asking her friends to donate to Shania's cause in lieu of gifts and also Dawson Elliott for doing the very same kind and selfless gift to another child to help find a cure. Another thank you one of Shannons best friends 7 year old Megan Shorley for donated to Shania's cause in lieu of loot bags. Happy belated Birthdays to you all for giving with a gift of your heart. Your acts of kindness are like a song that Shannon just sang to Karen and I this morning. It's a song that she sang with her class on Remembrance Day here's how it goes:

Make A Difference
We can make a difference in our world today
Together we can make our world a better place
When we work together so much can be done
If all the children in the world would sing in unison

We know what's right and we know what to do
The future can be brighter It's up to me and you

Take my hand and join me sing along with me
When all the children join us there'll be a change you'll see
Do you have the courage? Do you have the pride?
Do you have a vision of a world where all is right?

We know what's right and we know what to do
the future can be brighter It's up to me and you

We can make a difference in our world today
Together we can make our world a better place
When we work together so much can be done
If all the children in the world would sing in unison
We know what's right and we know what to do
The future can be brighter It's up to me and you

Beautiful! Maybe they could sing this at Shania's Fun Fair we'll have to ask mrs Wellman, whom so happened to be Shania's teacher when she started to get sick. She is an inspiring teacher, with a kind heart, just like I think Shania would have been. We would like to thank Dawn and Mark Caswell for having a huge "something or another" birthday party for Dawn and having everyone donate to Shania's Fund also in lieu of gifts. Thank you Caswell Family for letting us know that we are not alone in missing our sweet Shania's it is very comforting to know how many hearts Shania touched.
Does anyone want to go on a picnic because the town has informed us that instead of naming a street after Shania they are going to name a park in her honour instead. Holy jumping junipers !!! We were all smiles when we heard this great news!!!! This is so much more special. We can't wait to see it!!!!
We will always believe in you Shania we will we will !
We will always believe in you Shania we will we will!!
We will always believe in you Shania we will we will!!!!
With love that is true,
Shayne, Karen & Shannon