Happy 13th Birthday Miranda, 6/24/06  / Nancy (Mommy)

My darling Miranda,  You would have been 13 today and it would have been a large milestone for you.  You were starting to blossom when you became sick and I had so much fun going shopping for bras, talking to you about boys and watching you giggle.  You had such a love for life and people and a very giving soul.  Your smile lit up a room.  I miss you so much.  I love you my precious daughter.

Each day I wonder how I wake up and go on without you here beside us.  Life isn't fair and I know we were very privileged to have you with us for the 12 years you were allowed to be a part of our lives but I carry you in my heart always and will never stop loving you.

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Written by Ram Dass, April 2006, New Mexico  / Ram Dass

This was written by a stranger to us who knows Guy's brother Henry and his wife, Michelle.  We received it in April 2006.  They live in Rio Rancho, NM.

Dear Nancy and Guy:

Miranda finished her work on Earth and left the stage in a manner that leaves those of us left behind with a cry of agony in our hearts, as the fragile thread of our faith is dealth with so violently.  Is anyone strong enough to stay conscious through such teaching as you are receiving?  Probably very few.  And even they would only have a whisper of equanimity and peace amidst the screaming trumpets of their rage, grief, horror, and desolation.

I can't assuage your pain with any words, nor should I, your pain is Miranda's legacy to you.  Not that she or I would inflict such pain by choice, but there it is.  And it must burn its purifying way to completion.  For something in you dies when you bear the unbearable, and it is only in that dark night of the soul that you are prepared to see as God sees, and to love as God loves.

Now is the time to let your grief find expression--no false strength.  Now is the time to sit quietly and speak to Miranda, thank her for being with you these few years, and encourage her to go on with whatever her work is,  knowing that you will grow in compassion and wisdome from this experience.  In my heart, I know that you and she will meet again and again, and recognize the many ways in which you have known each other.  And when you meet you will know, in a flash, what not it is not given to you to know: Why this had to be the way it was.

Our rational minds can never understand what has happened, but our hearts--if we keep them open to God--will find their own intuitive way.  Miranda came through you to do her work on Earth, which includes her manner of death.  Now her soul is free, and the love that you can share with her is invulnearble to the winds of changing time and space.  In that deep love, include me.

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Heart felt condolences  / Jen Paynter
I'm deeply saddened when I think of the tremendous loss that is no doubt felt by the absence of this beautiful little girl. I must say tho, from the looks of her photo album, she indeed lead a very full, albeit brief life. It is easy to see the love of her family for her & of her for her family. I look forward to meeting Miss Miranda one day when I get to Heaven. I pray her family is comforted in the knowledge that she is no longer in pain & that her poor, sick body has been restored. God bless you all. Close

Dan F. Long 2006 Yearbook Memorial Page  / Nancy Carusone (Mom)

Below is the tribute to Miranda placed in the 2006 yearbook.  Miranda would have been finishing up 7th grade on May 25, 2006.  If you have a problem seeing the picture on this page, please scroll over to the continue link and it will show up for you on the next page.  Thanks.

It was a very wonderful gesture that they provided books to us and we loved all the signatures and written words in the book.  This is something we will treasure forever. 

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Happy Easter Miranda  / Sharon Angel Mom (Samantha Beaudette )

Thinking of you and your family. Close

Another Angel  / Paula Gonzales
I was shocked and heart broken when I happened upon this site to hear that our daughters had so much in common.  My daughter passed July 2005 at the age of 12 from the same type of brain tumor.  My heart goes out to you and your family!  Know that my prayers are with you as you deal with this loss.  She was a beautiful girl and I know Miranda is very much missed. Close

A GRIEF SHARED  / JUDY KINSLEYS GRANDMA (VISITOR)
MIRANDA IS A BEATIFUL YOUNG LADY I CAN SEE AND READ THE LOVE IN HER STORY. THE LOVE YOU HAD FOR HER AND THE LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER FAMILY. OUR KINSLEY WAS ALMOST 12 WHEN SHE LEFT US &  WAS IN THE HOSPITAL ALOT HER LAST YEAR I KNOW WE DONT GRIEVE THE SAME WAY BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR PAIN AND LONGING TO SEE HER AGAIN. CHILDREN ARE THE BRAVEST IN THE THINGS THEY HAVE TO ENDURE AND WE KNOW THEY ARE IN A BETTER & BEATIFUL PLACE BUT THAT STILL DOES NOT TAKE AWAY THE PAIN WE FEEL IN OUR HEARTS EVERYDAY. WE CAN JUST PRAY THAT GOD WILL SEE US THRU TILL WE CAN HOLD THEM AGAIN. GOD BLESS JUDY Close

My prayers are with you  / Diana S. (Nancy's friend )
Nancy, you are such a wonderful friend and such a super strong woman. I admire you and I appreciate you. Nothing I can say could ever help ease the pain of not having Miranda here with us, but my heart is with you and your terrific men (Adam, Guy & Rick). I think about you and pray for you all often.

Lots of love...
 
Diana Close

It's so hard to believe  / Kathy Jackson (Friend of Nancy's )
that its been a year since all of this started.  SO many times when things seem tough I think about Miranda and how she taught us all so much. And I think about how strong each of you have been through this. My heart aches for you. Miranda was a beautiful, smart, funny young lady. I am proud to have been able to have watched her grow through the pictures Nancy shared over the past few years.  Miranda ~ you are sorely missed by so many people!

God Bless you all.
kathy Close

Precious Miranda  / Marilyn Barnes (none)

When I read about your precious Miranda, I was brought to tears. She was such a gallant, courageous child. I am sure she brought so much joy to your lives and each day with her was precious. 
I too lost my daughter to cancer, and there is no pain like that of losing a child. My heart goes out to you.
                           

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I miss Miranda!  / Hunter Dooling (Good friend )
When I found out about Miranda, I was devastated. When I first met Miranda, I knew we would be friends.Now she's gone. I can't belive it. Close

Shock and Awe  / Darlene Dooling (Cheerleading Coach )
Nancy, Guy, Rick, & Adam I just discovered your personal tragedy through Caitlyns attendance at Blalack where there a memorial. It is things like this, things we don't get, don't understand that make us realzie how important it is to say what me mean the instant we have the chance. I loved Miranda. Her spunk with the other girls, her willingness to work to be the best, her cheer attitude...all made me very proud to lead her in any way I could. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You 3 as parents and you as a brother have her legacy to carry on..don't forget that. She loved you very much and she loved her life very much. Miranda, Keep blessing us with your gifts, watch over us as we sleep and hold our hands when we walk. We all need a guardian angel like you. Lets always remember those crazy lunches we had post game at Tony Romas...ALL THOSE RIBS...And I think you even got Adam to talk even being surrounded by all those girls. Very supportive cheerleading brother! Love - Coach Darlene Close

so sorry  / Cindy Mommy To Angel Kaydence
Happy Valentines Day Miranda..... Hugs To Miranda's Mommy Love Cindy Mommy to Angel Kaydence www.kaydeeboo.memory-of.com Close

When You Feel You Can't Go On  / Sher
I'm sorry that you're hurting so desperately right now.
I know how painful the seconds, and minutes, and days can be, how long the nights are.
I understand how very hard hanging on is, and how much courage it takes.
I ask though that you hold onto one day at a time.
Just one day, and slowly this despair will pass.
The feelings you fear you're trapped in will serve their purpose, and then fade away.
Difficult to imagine isn't it?
Almost impossible to believe when every cell in your body
it seems cries out in agony, desperately in need of comfort.
When it feels like the only thing in the whole world that can touch
your pain and banish it is beyond your grasp.
And after all this time, the assurance that you will heal
has become an empty, broken promise.
Just let one tiny cell in your body continue to believe in the promise of healing.
Just one. You can surrender every other cell to your despair.
Just that one little cell of faith that you can heal and be whole again
is enough to keep you going, is enough to lead you through the darkness.
Although it can't banish your suffering, it can sustain you
until the time comes for you to let your pain go.
And the letting go can only occur in it's own time,
as much as we would like to push the pain away forever.
Hold on.
Hold on to appreciate the beauty of the earth,
to feel the songs of the birds in your heart,
to learn and to teach,
to laugh a genuine laugh,
to dance on the beach,
to rest peacefully,
to experience contentment,
to want to be no other place but in the here and now,
to trust in yourself,
and to trust your life.
Hold on because it's worth the terrible waiting.
Hold on because you are worthy.
Hold on because the wisdom that will follow you out of this darkness will be a tremendous gift.
Hold on because you have so much love and joy waiting to be experienced.
Hold on because life is precious, even though it can bring terrible losses.
Hold on because there is so much that you can't now imagine waiting ahead on your journey
...a destiny that only you can fulfill.
Hold on although your exhausted and your grasp is shaky,
and you want more than anything to let go sometimes, hold on even though.
Please hold on.
So much in life can be difficult, even impossible to understand.
I know, I know...So many of us have cried in despair, why? why? Why?
and still the answers and the comfort failed to show.
Survival can be a long and lonely road,
in spite of all those who've stumbled down the path before you.
And it can be a treacherous, torturous journey...
so easy to get lost, and yet impossible to avoid even one painful step.
And the light, the light at the end of the dark tunnel for so long cannot be seen,
although eventually you'll begin to feel its' warmth as you move forward.
And forward you must move
in order to get through the hell of remembering, of despair, of rage, of grief.
Keep looking forward please.
Rest if you must,
doubt your ability to survive the journey if you have to,
but never let go of the guide ropes,
although when you close your fingers around them, your hands feel empty,
they are there.
Please trust me, they are there.
When you're exhausted, when all you have to count on is a weakened, weary faith,
hold on.
When you think you want to die,
hold on until you recognize that it's not death you seek,
but for the pain to go away.
Hold on, because this darkness will surely fade away.
Hold on. Please hold on.

Author: Tammie Byram Fowles


http://www.scotty-simmons.memory-of.com Close

If you could see  / Guy (Step dad )
When you look at the pictures of Miranda you can see a typical little girl.  An attention hog, an athlete, a diva.  What you cannot know from the pictures is her attitude, or her personality.  I wish there were some way we could post these things so that everyone could see what it is we miss.  Miranda was fully involved in her families lives, every day.  I miss her comments and her smiles, her attitudes and her jokes, her softball games and taking her to dinner.  She had a profound impact on everyone she met, we just didn't realize it until she was gone.

I miss you little girl. Close

My one and only Daughter.  / Rick Barnes (Dad)
Miranda,  If tears could build a stairway, and Memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven and Bring you home again.

I will always miss you and love you...just like many-many others that you touched and smiled at.  The Lord, took you to serve him early  and hopefully, I am worthy enough to be you in Heaven..when my time comes to go.  To hold your hand, hug you and see that great gleaming smile of yours. There, is not a day..that I don't think about you...and the great memories and the comfort, you brought to me. 

I am sure my aunts Ruth and Bonnie. Henry your Opapa, and my grandmother "Mom".  Have greeted, you in Heaven. You are in Heaven and smiling down on all of us.

I miss, you. My eyes still get watery and my heart aches..not having you here.
Love, Dad Close

Peace I pray!  / Valerie Haslett Wife Of Ian (( I care ) )
God has Miranda in his keeping now, but she will always be in your heart, I pray that you will find peace for your broken hearts.
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A lasting impression  / Chani Kaibetoney (Step-sister)

Miranda,
You were truly and inspiration, and missed by us all.  From the few times we had the pleasure of being around you when we came to visit, one thing sticks out in my mind the most; you were always so much fun, so cheerful, and would do just about anything to make everyone laugh.  Your courage and strength was incredible and you made a positive and lasting impression on everyone you met. You are truly missed.

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You give me strength  / Guy Carusone (step dad )
I find myself coming to this site two or three tims a day to look at pictures or read what people write.  Most often, when I start getting stressed, I like to come and be reminded of the courage that Miranda had, and how she passed it on to us.  When things start to get really bad, I remember how Miranda would smile, or lay her head on my shoulder, or make a comment that would cheer everyone up around her.  If we all could face life the way Miranda did, this world would be a much better place to be. 

For your smiles, I thank you sweety. You made a difference for me, and are still making one.  That is something to be proud of.  Close

Sorry / Andrea (Maurices Mom)
I am so sorry for your loss.She was such a beautyful Girl.I know to well the pain you going through.We just lost our 12 year old son 2 month ago.I still don't want to believe he is gone forever.I have faith in God and this is what keeps me going.He is watching over us like Miranda.We will see our Agels again when God calls us home.May God bless you and your Family.If you like to email please do so.Love and prayers,Andrea
andrea.h.long@us.army.mil Close