Denise and I were one grade apart at Kailua Mission School in Hawaii back in the 1960's. Our parents were "missionaries" as we were know back then and because we and our siblings were haole's (caucasian) we learned what it was like to be a minority (being somewhat nerdy didn't help either). We both felt the pressure of being on the receiving end of childish teasing, but Denise, with her handicap, received a lot more than me.

I lost track of her after leaving the islands during my academy years, but reestablished contact with her when she found me online one day in the Adventist Forum a year or so ago. I don't write a lot on this forum as I keep too busy with my family, church and my tax practice, but do browse often. I found that Denise's commentaries in this forum were always positive and uplifting. I may be wrong in coming to the following conclusion, but I believe that she vowed to make life a positive affair in part because she did not want others to have to endure the pain of being on the blunt end of someones joke or comment as she had to endure as a youngster. She was a true example of a christian and I look forward to seeing her in heaven when the Lord comes!

Am sure there are many here who don't want to bother posting something about her but were also praying for her.

I have not posted something about Denise before but that doesn't mean not thinking and praying for her. Things like this, I do it privately like I always do with pall patients at work. She's always remembered. I knew Denise in chatroom. We chatted a couple times and covered ++. There's loneliness in the chatroom right now. The lovely Denise, WE LOVE YOU!

Words cannot do justice to express the heartfelt emotion with which I will miss Denise; nor can words to justice to sharing the life she's led. She is one of three people on this planet in whom I have truly witnessed the love of Christ. I'm better because she was my friend.

I had the privilege of going to Academy with
Denise. What an inspiration she was even then.
She would NEVER complain, even then.

I AM SO SO SORRY that Denise has died.
BUT, on the other hand, she is NOT suffering
any more. That precious girl touched so many
lives with her love and caring. Her legacy is
going to live on until Jesus comes. People
will truly want to emulate the love that she
showed as she lived daily for Jesus through
her pain. I have never known ANYONE that has
had to go through so much. BUT, through it all,
she stayed faithful to Jesus. He truly knew that
she could be trusted to stay close to him.
WHAT AN EXAMPLE SHE WAS TO ALL OF US.

Carole Derry-Bretsch
Simply Carole Music Ministries
http://www.ytb.com/bretsch
For all your travel needs

Sunday, May 18, 2008

2:00 PM

Pleasant Hill 7th Day Adventist Church
800 Grayson Rd
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Dear Lord,

Thank you for showing me this wonderful site and for helping me get in contact with wonderful people in this forums especially Denise. I felt so at home here with Denise in the times that we spoke. I will miss her positive attitude and her uplifting words. I am really sad that until the Lord's second coming I may not be able to speak to her. Though at the same time happy that she will sleep and be raised into a new body. Miss you but I'll see you later Denise.

"Though you slay me, I will still worship you."

Isabel

Emerson wrote, "The only gift is a portion of thyself. Thou
must bleed for me. Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor, coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing. This is right and pleasing, for it restores society in so far to its primary basis, when a man's biography is conveyed in his gift, and every man's wealth is an index of his merit." Ralph Waldo Emerson, Gifts.

Thus Denise gave of herself to everyone who visited this forum, enriching us all. To the same degree, her loss impoverishes each of us a little. But not so much as knowing her, however slightly, enriched us.

In the same spirit of gift, as a writer I offer something I have written as a tribute to her memory.

" On this Earth, at best, we all live in Hospice. From the first breath, we begin to form attachments with individuals whom we will watch weaken and die. Or they will watch us. The libraries of our memory fill up with biographies ending at all stages of development, but all ending in silence. . . . .

Life is sweet, but the longer we live, the more suffering we experience, both personally and vicariously. This cruel reality provokes many to anger. The poet Dylan Thomas urged us not to “Go gentle into that good night,” and to “Rage, rage, at the dying of the light.” Singer Peggy Lee plaintively asked “Is that all there is?” While an old spiritual inquires, “And Am I Born to Die?”
* * *
God responded to this desperate situation by sending His Son. John records Jesus’ ringing declaration of hope, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;” The light that shines from Christ’s empty tomb brightens our whole lives, especially the final hours. No matter how difficult our days, how great our suffering, how short the span of our lives, we can face death with hope. Our personal story may conclude with death, but the resurrection offers the promise of an epilogue, of pages yet to be added and filled. Because of the resurrection, “Never again will death have the last word.”Romans 6:6, The Message"

Never again will death have the last word! When we see Denise again, she will walk on the Sea of Glass.

Maranatha!

Today is the last day to 'chip in' for the flowers' an to have your name on the card. Support has ranged from $5.00 to $100.00.

I would like to see as many names as possible on that list..

Thanks

We have purchased two of these and a banner... these are $153.99 each, plus a banner + delivery + ftd etc etc, after the visa and paypal charges it is close...

I just now found out. I hope I am not to late for donation. I found this website one very late night and this wonderful lady helped me through some of the most difficult times of my faith walk. I just thought with all she's survived she would beat this too. I will miss her.
annie