May 7

(picture taken of Taylor after her Christmas Program at Gloria Dei on December, 14, 1998. She was five. See the Purple angels in the background?)

What an amazing week it has been! God found just the right way for us to remember our angel Taylor. We all were so touched and moved by the outpouring of love. Thank you to all who could be there with us. To those of you who couldn't, I'm sorry that you missed it because it was the most beautiful service that I have ever attended. However, we felt your love and prayers even if you couldn't be there in person.

We are all doing fine and just trying to take care of the many details that accompany something like this. We are also trying to catch our breath a little bit. We are being comforted by hearing all of the stories about how Taylor has changed people's lives. What a blessing that is! I feel so fortunate to have such a wonderful child who God chose to let his love shine through. I am thankful and humbled by all of this everyday. If you have a story of how this impacted your life, please write it down now before you forget it so you can share it with us. I believe that one day, we can compile all of them and write that book that Mrs. Austin wants so badly!

There have just been too many "coincidences" from day one of this journey to not think that God has had His hand on us all along. My mom read that coincidence is just God's way of remaining anonymous. I believe that. If there is someone out there who doesn't believe in God after all of this, there's no hope for you. Well, I take that back, there's always hope, but I will pray for you because He couldn't have made His love for us any clearer if He had written it out in the sky!

First of all, Mary Capone, you are an angel who was sent from heaven to help guide us through all of this and to be my friend. I love you with all of my heart and will never be able to repay you for all that you have done. I will always be here for you.

Pastor Stowe, you are a man of God. I believe that you answered your calling and are leading a purpose driven life. The difference that you have made in the lives of so many including our children is immeasurable. Your words during Taylor's service were so profound and comforting. I felt as if God, Himself, put those words in your heart and you gave them a voice. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

To the entire staff at Gloria Dei. Thank you for letting us be a part of your family. I cannot imagine a better place to raise a child than within the halls of your church and school. We have felt your love and support every step of the way and will be forever grateful for having known each and every one of you.

To Taylor's friends. Thank you for being such good friends to her no matter what she was going through or how her looks may have changed. Leigha Wilson, you put it best when you said, "She's still Taylor." Thank you to all of you for your friendship, love and prayers. Oh yeah, and by the way, We Did Get Our Miracle!!!

To all of the medical professionals that we have met along the way, thank you. We tried so hard to remain focused on our goal of helping Taylor to stay well and there were times when we didn't see eye to eye. We always tried to keep positive and open communication and if we ruffled a few feathers along the way, forgive us. Everything we did was with love and with Taylor's best interest in mind. You all are incredible people who have a tough job to do every day but you do it with love, dignity and pride. For that, we thank you.

Joe Capone and A.C. White. Thank you both for everything. You two have always been only a phone call away. You have been ready and willing to do whatever we ask and we feel honored to know you and your families.

To our employers. Your ability to support us and choose love over money or scheduling issues has been amazing. Thank you for understanding and accommodating us even when it meant that the job didn't get done or you had to work longer to make it up. Without your support, we couldn't have made it through this.

To my friends, thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for letting me talk and understanding when I couldn't talk. I have missed out on so much of your lives over the last sixteen months but I look forward to sharing time with all of you and your families and "catching up"!

To my family. I have thanked you many times for the countless acts of love that you showed us through all of this but I wanted to thank you publicly. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I love each and everyone of you with all my heart.

To Keith and Paula. What can I say? John and I have shared such an awesome experience with you both and our lives are changed forever because of it. Thank you for always being there and thank you for loving her as much as I do.

To John. My rock. You are the most amazing man that I have ever met and I am a better person because of you. Thank you for loving me and for loving Taylor so much. You took us places and showed us things that we never would have done without you. You are a gift from God and you made Taylor's short life as full and rewarding as possible. Your unwavering support, your ability to work two full-time jobs and still have time to help with the housework and laundry and still have time to be sweet and nice to Taylor and me is the most unselfish act of love that I have ever witnessed. I am proud to be your wife and I will love you forever.

Thank you to all of you who have loved and supported us through this website. I feel as if I know many of you and always looked forward to your posts. They have made us laugh, made us cry, comforted us when we were away from home and renewed our faith through your caring words of comfort and support. I also thank you for reading my rambling posts. I will miss having this forum to share my thoughts and feelings. Thank you for reading, posting, praying and loving us.

I believe that Taylor is asleep in Christ now. I believe that for the five days following her passing that she got to do many things. I believe that she ate, and ran, and danced, and played. I believe that she checked on all of her loved ones to say, "Goodbye, for just a little while. I will see you soon." I believe that she shined like a star in the night sky. I believe that she soared like an eagle. I believe that she flew like a butterfly. And on Wednesday evening, right at sundown, with the four of us there, I tucked her in and like I always said to her at bedtime, " Goodnight, sleep tight, sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning." I believe that to her it will only seem like one night of rest before she wakes up and we will be together again.

I will feel her love and spirit around me. I will remember her everyday in so many ways. In the smile of a child, in a soft breeze that blows and in every butterfly I see. I will remember what an incredible, amazing and awesome miracle Taylor is.