Just wanted to update you on some recent donations made from our book club.  Children at the following locations have received books from us:

1. Christ-Way Community Services in Marion, AR

2. Center for Children (ACH) Lowell, AR

3. Holly Street Daycare in Nashville, TN (by request)

4. Potter’s Clay Crisis Shelter for Women and Children in Hot Springs, AR

5. Children’s Emergency Shelter in Fort Smith, AR

6. Safe Place, Morrilton, AR

Derrick is very diligent about sending these out on a regular basis and I cannot keep up with him!  He takes a lot of pride in distributing these books to needy children in memory of our precious baby girl!

Maybe we all grieve in our own way.  Maybe sadness can be a part of us without defining us.  Maybe we are more complicated and capable than we think.  Maybe life is not meant to be understood.  Maybe memories can be bad and good at the same time.  Maybe laughter through tears is a healing emotion.  Maybe I’m going to be okay.  Maybe I can allow myself to be happy again without feeling like I didn’t hurt enough.  Maybe I’m still whole.

Cameron was a sweet little girl. She was so adorable, I might add. So, about the Website. We need you to give us books. We give them to children who need books. And they don’t have anything else. We want them to live. This is Cameron’s younger sister, Kennedy. See ya!

I am always more apt to post on a bad day than a good one.  Writing is therapeutic for me, but it may seem to visitors on the site that I am in desperate shape.  I appreciate all the support and positive comments from my friends, family and former patients.  It is so meaningful for me to receive messages from parents of children I helped in some small way.  I know that occasionally I helped in some large way, and I am thankful to be a part of peoples lives in that way.

Today was a good day.  I was off from work today, so I didn’t have nearly as much anxiety as usual.  I was able to get the kids to school and spend lots of time with my baby and my husband.  I rested, read books, ran errands, and took a long walk.  After dinner the whole family played outside in the finally warmer weather.  It felt normal.  It felt nice.  And I felt okay– not guilty or sad or mad or depressed.  That’s truly an accomplishment for me!

I hope that all my friends in McAlester are doing well.  I miss being there this time of year.  We had the best yard ever in McAlester.  We were kind of on a hill, and we could see across the interstate to the golf course and club house.  Everynight we had a beautiful sunset.  I can’t tell you how awesome those sunsets were.  And we had families of deer that waltzed through our yard almost everyday.  They would stop to eat the corn we left outside.  Sometimes they would stay for 15 to 30 minutes.  We often saw a couple of fawns in the early summer and we would watch them grow and change throughout the year. 

I appreciate the book drive being headed up by Mrs. Horton at Jefferson.  It’s great to know that Cameron is still thought of, missed and loved.  She was a true inspiration to so many, and with your help we can keep that flame alive.  On behalf of Cameron and all of us, I thank you!!!!

We are so excited about the recent requests for books from teachers and student teachers.  Many of the teachers work with poverty level students and also students who speak Spanish as their primary language.  We are happy to help these teachers out by sending books for their students.  We sent several to Grace Hill Elementary in Rogers, AR.  Walker Elementary in Springdale, AR.  and one to Perry Elementary in Oklahoma. 

Derrick has also sent books to Chidren’s House in Fayetteville as well as other shelters around the state.  We are concentrating on places where children might not otherwise have books to read.  These included Haven House in Heber Springs, AR.  Women’s Crisis Center in Jonesboro, AR. Peace Counseling Center in Conway, AR.  Little Rock Compassion Center.  Mary and Martha Center, Dequeen, AR.  Jackson House, Hot Springs, AR.  Healing Place, Pine Bluff, AR.  Women and Children First, Little Rock, AR. and Safe Passage in Melbourne, AR. 

Thanks to the support and prayers of our friends and family, we made it through the 2nd anniversary of Cameron’s death.  We heard from lots of people, and had a nice group over on Saturday.  My dad offered some thoughts to us, though there is no way to accept or process what happened to Cameron.  Her death was, and continues to be, so unfair.  She was such an asset to this planet.  She left too soon.  And we suffer at the loss of her.  But we continue on in our lives.  I am grateful to be able to do that.  It is never easy, but it is so important to keep going.  The example we set for our children and for others is critical.  It is only through the spirit of Cameron guiding me, that I am able to be that person.

Well, its the beginning of a new year and once again the anniversary of Cameron’s death.  Her “Heaven Day” is January 19–  and this will be the 2nd anniversary.  Pray for our family as we struggle through this difficulty time of memories and grief.

We have lots of new books and Derrick has sent out many parcels recently.  The lucky recipients are mostly shelters and schools around the state.  These include Benton County Sunshiine School, Benton County Women’s Shelter, Elizabeth Richardson Center, EOA Children’s House, NW AR Children’s Shelter, Helen R. Walton Children’s Center in Bentonville, and Kid’s First in Fort Smith.  We hope these children enjoy the books that you have shared with us, and we in turn with them through the inspiration of Cameron.

We also were featured in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this past weekend.  The new article is available for viewing through a link above on this page.

Our most recent shipments of children’s books have gone out to the following places: Dove House Inc in Clinton, AR; Arkansas Stepping Stone, Little Rock AR; Children’s Emergency Shelter in Fort Smith, AR; Potter’s Clay Crisis Center for Women and Children in Hot Springs, AR. We receive such positive feedback from these shelters. Reading to the children in shelters is something volunteers and workers can do to help them feel a sense of normalcy. Thanks to all who continue to send books and support this important cause. It really does make a difference!

Our friend Bo Mattingly graciously volunteered to run a public service announcement on his sports radio show– Sports Rap.  I think it turned out just beautiful!  I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to it by clicking the link at the top right of the page.  Thanks Bo!  And thanks, Scott for all the work you do on the website!

Cameron’s Memorial Fund continues to grow.  We have received donations from the Wingert famiily in Franklin, TN and Dr. Tim Carr from Franklin, TN; Susan Berry from McAlester, OK; and Lisa Garvin from Jackson, MS.    The fund is now an endowment  and we will be able to donate from the fund to children’s charities in the future.  Please let us know if you have a favorite children’s charity to which we we can consider contributing!