Photo courtesy Nate Dunford Photography

February 25, 1974~July 3, 2010

Amy is a 36 year old mother of 6.

On April 15th, 2010, she was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

Surrounded by her family and friends, she is determined to face her future with faith, hope, courage and love.


Surrounded by her family, and with Gary by her side, Amy passed away in the early morning hours of July 3rd, 2010. Just a short 2 1/2 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

A Heartfelt Thank You... And a Little Advice...

Hi everyone! this is Amy.

Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of the love and generosity that has been shown to my family over the past few weeks. We have seen absolutely amazing things happening in and around our community. We have been the beneficiary of so many hours of service and so much generosity that I am at a loss for words (a rare occurrence if you ask my husband) as to what to say. I am so thankful for all of the prayers that are being offered in our behalf. Your prayers are helping to get us through these long days and nights and we have felt the strength from them as they have lifted us and helped us to go forward with faith and we are so grateful for them.

This whole ordeal has been real shock to me and my family and even now sometimes it is still so hard to believe that this is really happening. This is the sort of thing that happens to other people, I never thought that something like this could ever happen to me or my family. It has made me really reflect how important it is to make the most of every day and cherish every minute you have with your family. As I have pondered about what I would like to write in my blog, I have decided to share a few pieces of advice which seem to me to be the most important. Each entry I will share yet another piece of advice or thoughts that may help to strengthen, uplift, or encourage each of the readers to better prepare themselves for the unknown.

KEEP A JOURNAL. Over the past few years, I have had a nagging feeling that I need to be writing in a journal and keeping a personal history for my children. Unfortunately, I refused to heed this prompting, and now I am left wondering how many things I might have been able to share with my children over the past few years that are now feelings and thoughts that may be difficult or even impossible to recall and write. I have wondered what will my children remember about me? What advice would I like to leave for them? What experiences would I like to share with them? And what memories and history will they be able to share with their children about me? Unfortunately it is impossible to know how much time I will have to compile such a life's history. My time is too short. Life is too short. I may never be able share all of the things that I might have shared if I had written in a journal on a regular basis. Keep a journal... Write in it often... Share your personal thoughts and feelings... don't procrastinate... and above all else always show your family how much you love them. You never know when your life may be turned upside down in a flash.

13 comments:

  1. Amy I have been following your story through everyone and everything that has been going on. I attended the 5k and was so touched at how much you are loved. My son is friends with one of yours and cannot say enough good about what a wonderful young man he is. That is a reflection of you and your husband no doubt. You and your family are just amazing and thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I honestly believe you are an angel here to help remind us all how precious every second is.
    If you have not already thought of it you may want to get a button on your sidebar that other bloggers can put on our blogs. I would gladly do it and ask others to as well.
    Much love!
    XO

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  2. Amy, Thank you for that advice. I want to thank whoever started this blog. This will always remain for your children to go back to. I want to thank you. I wish I knew how to share a link on this but I will post it on your page. It is a song Jessica was going to sing for you on Mother's Day but she chickened out. You have definitely left your mark on this world and you have inspired my daughter and myself to leave our mark. Thank You.

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  3. Amy, you are a wonderful and amazing woman! You've definitely inspired me to face the challenges of life head on and to treasure every moment. Thank you for your example and I feel so privileged and blessed to not only know you, but to be part of your family. Thanks to the blessings of the temple, the bonds of family will endure long after we all leave this life. All my love and prayers!

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  4. After my Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer, everytime we went over he would talk and talk and talk. When we would leave he would say "I am not done telling stories yet. You have a lot to learn about me." You made me think that maybe he too was regretting not keeping a journal. Great advice. I love you Amy! Please call if you need anything. Hey I even get home at 2 a.m if you need a coke.

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  5. Amy,
    Thank you for sharing these thoughts! My prayers are with you and your family.

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  6. Amy,
    I am so grateful for the advice. You have been an amazing friend. I so wish I could go and take you to Walmart with me or meet you to go on a walk. We have shared a lot of thoughts and difficult moments. It was so good to be able to work through our problems together. I so wish I could find a way to help you through this struggle-but you are still helping me. I have thought about all the things you have told me over the past few weeks. It has affected me more than you will ever know. I have thought a lot about writing things down and enjoying my family more...and always appreciating my husband and treating them the way I should. You have truly inspired me to be a better person. You are an angel here...helping all of us to be better. I love you like a sister and will treasure all of our times together!!

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  7. Amy you continue to show me that you are truly an awe inspiring person, please know that you and your family are in our prayers. Love Pam Alger

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  8. Amy...Thanks so much for the advice. It is something that I have known for a long time, but like you have procrastinated. You are a strength to me in my life. I love you. Ann Stewart

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  9. I have been thinking about needing to keep a journal but have come up with excuses like "in a book or on the computer?" So it doesn't get started. Easier not to take the first step. I think you have kicked me into gear. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

    You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. You are working miracles, you know that, right? You are touching hearts and encouraging change within them. You are a wonderful woman. I love you!

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  10. That is great advice. I have one in my nightstand but rarely write. I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. I keep hoping there is as miracle with your name on it.

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  11. Amy:
    You are AMAZING! Great words to share with us all. Life is so crazy and sometimes that we all need to stop and realize who we really hold dear to us and let them know how much we love them and share our experiences. My prayers are with you.

    Angie Ferre

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  12. Amy,

    You just amaze me. I am so thankful that I met you at camp. You have touched my life in ways you will never know. I continue to learn from you everyday. I hope that someday I can be more like you. Thanks for the reminder about the journal. I even just gave a lesson to the YW about journals and made all of them one but I have not been good at keeping one myself. I have a bunch from growong up but for some reason haven't kept that habit up. I will do it now. Thanks again. I am here if you ever need anything day or night. I love you Amy!

    Tamaree

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  13. tawhnye@gmail.comMay 13, 2010 at 9:40 PM

    Amy,
    I am too one of the procrastinators, I always think of the things that we do and say with our kids and I always think of writing it down, and keeping a journal, but I never have. You are so inspiring, and I hope that I can be half of an example to my boys that you are with all your kids. I love you Amy!!! You are in my thoughts, prayers and conversations everyday!!! I am always awake, I always have my phone on, PLEASE call I don't care what time it is!! I am Always here for you any time!!! Love You TONS!!!!
    Love Tawhnye

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Thanks for commenting! Amy is truly uplifted by all the words of love and encouragement you share.