In the precious memory of my little sister Breanna Rose who died 2 months ago from brain and spinal cancer, I am supporting the Relay for life. I need help doing this. In Breanna's name we are raising money for the cure! My team is just half way to our goal, but we need your help to reach our goal. Please read this article and at the bottom of it is the link to my web page.  You can give your donations to me, I will provide you a receipt. Or you can go online and pay with your debit or credit card directly on my website. It is very user friendly. Just click on my link below and once that's open click on "donate".  If you can spare even $5 that will help. Thank you so much in helping us honor Breanna, and her memory!

 Tonja Kay 

When we were little Breanna bought me a sand dollar that had written on it these words, " Always my sister, Also my friend".   Yes we were sisters, but we were so much more than that. We were close friends too. We hung out a lot and enjoyed playing games, doing hair and nails, and swimming. She would come over and I would give her manicures. She was very much a tom boy, but she still let me do her nails. She had very dry hands since she was such a tom boy, so I would put lotion on her and those gloves that hold it on her hands over night. Then paint her nails. One memory that still cracks me up is when she was much younger, like from the ages of 4-7 I would curl her hair and it looked beautiful. Then she would look in the mirror and say it was "Too Poofy" and she would comb it out!!!! I would tell her it looked so pretty and wasn't poofy at all, but she disagreed.  This happend every time I did her hair and curled it. So when she was bed ridden this past couple of months I would comb her hair (it started getting longer quickly) and I would tease her that I was going to make it poofy. She could barely speak, but told me if I made it poofy, she would comb it out herself! I just laughed and assured her I would not make it poofy.

Sunday 2-24-08 I was going to take my daughter to play at the park, on the way she told me she had to go to the bathroom. Since she is potty training I couldn't tell her to hold it or anything. So I took her to my mom's house to use the bathroom. When we were there the wind really picked up and we were unable to go to the park. Madison and I just got that extra time with Breanna.  Madison grabbed a baby comb we use to comb Breanna's newly growing hair. She brushed her hair and told her how much she loves her "tia" (that means aunt in spanish) it is what Breanna taught Madison to call her. Madison told her stories and just talked to Breanna for a long time while brushing her hair. As I am sure you already know, Breanna was unresponsive, but I know she heard Madison talk to her. I believe that it was Jesus that made us go to my mom's house that day instead of the park. I happened to take some pictures of it and will post those below.

 I am comforted to know that she is in heaven with Jesus. He came and picked her up last night and took her home. She instantly was able to see. Was pain free, and cancer free!!!  I know she is happy and healthy and finally got to see Jesus, our baby brother, our grammy that just passed away, and all the babies that have been lost these past years in our family. When she passed away, her face was peacful. She appeared to have a smile, which to me was also comforting to see.

Breanna will ALWAYS be my Sister and she will ALSO ALWAYS be my friend. I love her SO much! And I miss her deeply. But, I will see her again in Heaven!

I will always love you my baby sister, Breanna.

Tonja

 Reply to Yesterday Mornings Update from Peace with Christ Youth Pastor

Dear Tami,

After reading the note below, I just HAVE to say something.  Personally, I can’t see how you can even consider the thought that you haven’t been a witness!  Of course, Breanna has always been a terrific and bold witness.  And I must add that you, Jeff, and the whole family has been a witness to all of us from day one!  The closeness of your family is a witness, sharing Breanna’s story has been a witness, you have never stopped sharing scripture, songs, words of encouragement, prayer thoughts, stories of hope, and personal struggles and victories.  If ever there has been a witness for our Lord, it has been the journey all of you have walked.  If ever Christ was glorified in the life and struggle of a family, it has been through yours.  If ever God was proclaimed, you have done it.

Whether a person has been brought to faith through this ordeal, only God truly knows.  But I can tell you that your witness has strengthened at least one man’s faith . . . mine!  From a short conversation with Jeff at Casa Bonita to joyous conversations with you, Tami, at the hospital and on the phone, from e-mails to Breanna’s website, from hugs to warm conversations you have all been HUGE witnesses for God and proclamations of His miracles.  Your unity as a family, your open sharing of God’s work and word . . . all have been a witness!  The Spirit worked mightily in and through Breanna . . . and I am a firm believer that Breanna learned much of that from her mother, her father, her siblings, and her church!

So, as you reflect upon – and perhaps relive – this difficult journey in the weeks and months to come, please know that God has been glorified!  He has been glorified through Breanna’s life and witness . . . and He is being glorified though yours, too!

May our God of Peace gift you with comfort, peace, and the assurance of His presence today and always!

Your Friend,

            Tim