The best gift, that anyone can give to another,
is the gift of acceptance and love.

Our dear Baby gave ALL of us that. What other person can say, that
they have personally touched so many lives in just a few years?
She made sure that she touched base, with us all, whether it was through
an email, personally, or through the group, in a simple "Have you heard
from..........? I am worried about her."

Baby played......Baby laughed....She loved coming here to the group, to
escape, for a brief moment, from the medications and the testings. She
loved coming here and seeing what everone was doing, and participating in
the coloring of walls, and water fights. She loved her G.I. Joes.....and
she loved, even more, knowing that you all, were healthy, happy,
and enjoying being yourselves.
She knew...that some of us, couldn't do that in our real lives, but we
could come to the group, and be who we really are and be accepted.
She helped to bring that love and acceptance into the group.

I will miss my conversations with her on the phone. I will miss how she would
talk to Al, in Spanish, and I would remind her that I understood what she
was talking about....lol..(Then she would say, "Darn...now I can't have any fun!")
I missed how she said that a computer software program, that types when
you talk into it, wouldn't recognize her words, because she is Latina and from Louisiana...
lol...and that it kept typing words that could be taken as dirty.
I will miss her humor.

I will miss....that tender side of her, that would not remove a member of
ours, that had passed away last year, because Claudia said she was a
member for life. She was a WWAUS sissy.

She will always be an outstanding person to me, who learned to love from this
group, and gave so much more, love, back.

Everytime I see a Leather jacket......I will think of her. Everytime I see a
beautiful rose, I will think of her. Everytime I see the twinkle in a
child's eyes, I will think of that mischievous side of her.

My dear friend........you will never be forgotten. Never!
There is just too much of you, in everything, for you to ever be forgotten.
You loved life. You loved the beauty in all things.
You loved us, with all of your heart!

And we love you!!!

Your friend and sister, always!
Jules



I have this song that popped into my head thinking of Claudia and the shocking
news finding out she is gone. I think the lyrics to this song are so
beautiful so here goes:

Cool breeze and autumn leaves
slow motion daylight
a lone pair of watchful eyes
oversee the living
Feel the presence all around
a tortured soul
a wound unhealing
No regrets or promises
the past is gone
but you can still be free
if time will set you free

Time now to spread your wings
to take to flight
the life endeavour
aim for the burning sun
you're trapped inside
but you can still be free
if time will set you free
but it's a long log way to go

Keep moving way up high
you see the light
it shines forever
sail through the crimson skies
the purest light
the light that sets you free
if time will set you free

Sail through the wind and rain tonight
you're free to fly tonight
and you can still be free
if time will set you free
and going higher than mountain tops
and go high the wind don't stop
and go high
free to fly tonight
free to fly tonight

D. Hayes & D. Jones
1996


Lena xx



To our WWAUS founders and Sisters:
Ohhh my heart is heavy and my tears flow as I write. I am so sorry to
hear of Claudia's passing. :( I know she will be missed on our plane by
her family and friends, but she is smiling as she sleeps with the Angels
in God's love.

Claudia and her family are in my prayers and thoughts. I truly believe we
all come together for a purpose, no matter the means, intent or duration.
And, I believe there are no "good-byes" but always, "until we meet again".

God bless....
**Hugs**
Jeannie