The "Forever Heather" Quilt is a great project for Heather's family. Heather's maternal grandmother and many aunts are all together this week showing their love and support for Heather's mother, Linda by making a quilt in memory of Heather.
Some of these ladies traveled across the country to spend time with her sharing memories while they make a quilt named "Forever Heather".Today is Heather's birthday and it is comforting to know that Linda, and all of our aunts are together on this difficult day.
The quilt will hold many fond memories for Linda, and hopefully ease her pain at the worst of times. Pictures, poems, quotes, and the love of every member of Heather's family will be sewn into the quilt for Linda to take home and share with Heather's babies and Heather's father, Pat.
"Forever Heather" will be a great comfort to all of us that love Heather. Each person in this family will celebrate Heather's life today (and every other day).
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Today, I will be letting everyone know about Heather's Voice and about the blog and web site.
I will also be speaking to members of our family to coordinate the next few steps we need to complete in Heather's name.
I hope to have the completed press release today regarding the SIFE Team at KSU and Heather's Voice, if so, I will post it on the blog for everyone to see.
~For Heather
I never had the pleasure of knowing Heather personally, but I have known her aunt Agnes and some of her cousins for thirty and more years. Thank you all for the portrait of Heather that emerges from the love and memories in these pages. And for rolling up your sleeves to make a difference.
Ursula in North Bay, Ontario (whose brother, Harald, is married to Agnes)
Today, like every day, I am wearing my Heather necklace that Linda made for me. It's a small comfort for me to be able to grab hold of it each time I think of Heather and fight back tears. I wish I could be with all of my family today. I love you all!
To Laura and all those affected by this tragedy,
Thank you for staying strong and making this wonderful movement. Even though there might not be any immediate effects, you will see the impact down the road. And I think that many will be moved by this tragedy. Just remember that anything that is worthwhile takes time.
I remember when I was in High School my teacher started crying because his dad had been killed by a drunk driver when my teacher was only a teenager. This emotional response made me pledge never to drink and drive (and to this day I haven't). So my teacher may have indirectly help save another son’s father by giving this speech. I think that you have the capability to make a similar impact in the community.
God Bless
I have known Heather since I was a about 7 years old and I think about Heather and her 2 beautiful daughters all the time, especially the last few days. Everything that everyone is doing to remember heather and just shows how much she was loved by everyone! Heather you will be forever missed and never ever forgotten! I pray for you and your beautiful little girls everyday..Cant believe your gone- xoxo love you forever
As president of the KSU Sife Team, I would like to personally thank the Heather's Voice Foundation for their support of our 7 Bridges project. With your help, we are able to save the center between $200-$400 per month allowing them to use these funds to aid homeless and/or battered women in the Atlanta area. Your gifts will be appreciated for years to come by the center.
Dennis Loubiere
KSU Sife Team
Coles' College of Business
Ursula, thank you for keeping up on this project. It is of great importance to my family and others that we hope to help.
Sayumi, where is MY necklace?? :) I still have the "cousins bracelets" that we all got at Heather's funeral. It hangs on my bag and goes with me everywhere I go. It makes me think of Heather, but of all of you too.
KSU Student- I don't know who you are, but your post means quite a bit to me and my family. It is so precious to me to see all of the support we are gaining here in Georgia through Kennesaw State. Your story made me really think about what we say and do to each other that may seem insignificant at the time, but can be life changing to someone else. Thank you so much for your interest in Heather's Voice, and in my family. I love them all dearly and this is all I can do for Heather now, please follow us as we grow and join us March 22 for her party.
Anonymous, thank you for the kind words. Don't be afraid to share who you are. We are all friends here just trying to so the right thing :) Your anonymity is ok if you'd prefer it, but don't feel as if you HAVE to have it on our behalf. We are one HUGE family that has just launched what we hope to be a "Forever" project.
Dennis- what do you say to a man that jump-started it all? You are a great person, an excellent leader and my new friend. You are also a new friend to all of my family for everything you have done and continue to do for Heather's Voice. This man's commitment to SIFE, KSU, his genuine concern of others is infectious. I'm proud to know you Dennis. We have at least 5 years to work on getting Heathers Voice to Legacy...don't leave me now! oxoxox
How do you put a year of emotions in a few sentences? I am one of Heather's many cousins. I have been with my family through this entire nightmare. It has been difficult to watch my aunt lose her only daughter, to see the pain in her eyes each and every day, to see the tears she has shed over this tragic loss. I spend a lot of time with Heather's babies, which is such a wonderful privilege, but it comes with such sadness. I have seen their milestones; potty training, first steps, first words... I am so excited as they develop, but I can't help but think Heather should be here to see each of these milestones.
I have spent the last four days with all of my aunts, my mother, and my grandmother as they worked on the "Forever Heather" quilt. I saw the transformation in Linda, Heather's mother, each time she touched the quilt. It gave her the hope and peace she hoped it would. I would find her staring at it for long periods of time, and although she has so much sadness, this quilt has given her a renewed strength. There have been tears, especially today, but never while working on the quilt.
My grandmother was so proud of the talent of her family and each of the sisters commented on how amazed they were with how well they work together, they all had different ideas and expressions of love that went into each stitch of this quilt. I too received so much hope and peace as did the remainder of the family present. I know that it will be able to give comfort to each family member as they see it in person.
Our family will never forget the pain, but we look forward with hope. We look forward to a time when we no longer worry or fear. We look forward to seeing Heather reunited with her daughters and her parents and her many other family members.
I told Linda today, as we traveled back from Michigan where the quilt was created, that it makes me so sad that Heather will never know how much she was loved, but her mother and her daughters have been and will continue to witness the extent to which she was and continues to be loved.
We miss our little Heather and still have so much pain and are still faced with this nightmare every day, but we leave this day with hope and peace.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for the post. I realize that we are so far apart right now, Chicago-Atlanta.
But, by you, your post was made at 10:35, an important time. A sad and terrible time, but important.
I know, across the country, we are all, at this moment feeling the sadness. I love you.
Laura
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