Sometimes people come into our lives for only a seaon. Sometimes people come into our lives for a reason. Sometimes people come into our lives and we get the real chance to know them, to love them and that friendship last's a lifetime. We never really know when our journey together will end but no matter what happens or how it happens we are always grateful for the moments, the times, the joy of having that person in our lives.
Christina Passed Away Last Night After a Brave Battle Against Cancer. Today, it is raining. Christina loved flowers. In fact every chance my daughter would get she would find and pick flowers for Christina. ~ I think Christina is bringing the rain so she can spoil us with the flowers she loved so much. I will never look at a flower the same again ~
For anyone who knew Christina you know she never left home without her camera. She could capture the most captivating moments through a single lens and pass it on for everyone to enjoy. She was an avid nature lover and savored every moment she got to spend in it. ~ I will never look at the beauty of nature the same again ~
Christina left a legacy behind her. A fighter and advocate for cancer. An advocate and rescuer for abused pitbulls. A footprint upon the hearts of those she touched. A milestone of memories through a single picture she snapped. Christina taught so many the importance of living, doing the things you want to do and enjoying the things you get to do. ~ We will all miss you our dear friend ~
A WALK WITH CHRISTINA ~ Through her memories and milestones
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| Make a Smilebox photobook |
Melissa Grant
lissalgrant@yahoo.com
772-419-1369
Virtual Solutions Guru to the Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. Helping others reach for the stars in life and business.
" When Time is of the Essence "
My thoughts are with you in your time of loss. She sounds like a really special person.
As a 22 year cancer survivor myself, I encourage everyone to attend their local Relay For Life. I volunteer for one near Chicago every year. Rest in peace Christina!
Melissa, I am so sad at this news. Christina was sunshine, kindness, and talent. I'm glad that you got to know her well. The few times that we "talked" she was full of brightness.
I wish you good memories and will pray for her family and yours.
Melissa, I did not know Christina and feel I missed out on someone very special. I'm so sorry for your loss.
She will be remembered by her friends, family and fellow rainers. Hugs to all across the miles....
It is sad that so many lives are taken by cancer. My own mother at 54 years old, my father-in-law at 60 and many friends... I too am on the committee for the Relay for Life this year. I will say a little prayer in her honor.
Melissa, such sad news. I didn't know Christina personally just through her blog. It is always so sad to loose a friend and a kind person. Just know that her pain is gone and her face is bright with a smile - sad for us but joyous for her. Until you see her again celebrate her life.
The passing of Christina was a big loss to many, her family, her friends, and the AR community. She was a bright spot here and thank you for sharing those photos.
The Relay for Life can bring help to fight this awful horrid disease, cancer, with its so varied forms. I hope everyone contributes in some way.
Hi Melissa~ I knew Christina through her blog and she was such an inspiration. I am very sad to see her leave us. Life is short, isn't it?
What a beautiful commemoration of Christina's life and her love of animals and nature. I didn't know her personally, though I read many of her posts. Her presence in the Rain will be missed - as well as her patience and care for her animal family.
May God hold Christina in his hands.
And God bless you for your involvement in Relay for Life. It's a worthwhile effort to battle an evil force that attacks so indiscriminately.
Melissa,
Our consolation in all this is that now Christina, whose name literally means 'little Christ'...is now enjoying seeing Him face to face...!!! Thanks, Fran
I did not know her. But if you have a friend , family member or not struck by this disease, then you do know her. My sympathies to you and all who knew her
That was beautiful Melissa. Thanks for sharing your memory
Bo
Lissal,
I hate this. So young and lovely. I'm sorry she lost the battle and I wish her family many hugs and warmth to help them heal. Christina will be remembered with love from many of us. She is in a better place now and is without pain. Thank you for the wonderful tribute.
Deb
You are always so thoughtful Melissa...taking care of everyone. This is a beautiful tribute to Christina and I'm sure she is smiling down at you. Thinking of her family and friends.
Melissa,
As many others above me have said I am sorry for your loss and although I didn't know her directly it feels as though I did because of your heartfelt words. Blessings on her family during this tough time!
Damn it.
Melissa - Thank you for honoring Christina. Although I didn't know her, your post makes me wish I had. My condolences to all here who knew and loved Christina.
Marlene
God bless you Melissa for putting together such a tribute to a friend. She is not gone as these posts prove. She may have lost the battle but she has won the war because she is in a much better place today.
Thank you for this meaningful post. I lost my father to cancer and recognized this through "Walk for Life" and it was purgative.
Hi Melissa. Thanks for your wonderful tribute. I'm sorry I never got to meet Christina, but your post certainly make me wish I had. The world can always use more friends like you.
Melissa, This made me so incredibly sad when I heard. What a beautiful memorial for her you made.
Melissa: I'm sad to hear the news on the passing of Christina. I never go to meet her in person. Seems like I did know her here in the rain. May God be with her family and friends. She will be missed by many.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at the loss of a dear friend, I adore her and I dont even know her, I can feel the love from this page, and to every cancer survivor out there, keep fighting the fight, for those that have lost the battle, they leave the torch for you to carry. My mom is in a battle with Breast cancer, so this hit home with me....God Bless you and yours!
She touched the lives of people and pets--and made a difference. Not a bad legacy to leave.
It is great to see her online friends in this community offering support and encouragement. It is a testament to her and to this group.
Wow, I am really sorry to hear about this.
She looks too young to leave us.
God bless her and her family.
So sad to lose anyone, but espaecially at such a young age. I am sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to the families.
Very sad. However, a nicely done tribute. :)
Sending my deepest sympathies to you and all who were touched by Christina's life. I too am a Relay for Life team captain and our board of REALTORS team has been the top fundraiser in our county for four years running. I always walk for my Dad who passed in 2005 and my dear friend Jackie who passed in 1995. It means so much when they light the luminarias with your loved one's name on them. Be blessed and be a blessing and keep the legacy alive!
I had no idea what she was going through! I read her blogs and she will be missed by many! Thanks so much for writing this beautiful post!
What a beautiful tribute to Christina. Her family and yours are in my prayers. My dad is a cancer survivor, it will be ten years in November, so I always find a death from cancer very personal and sad. I'm glad you will be walking in Memory of Christina.
Melissa, this is a beautiful tribute. I am sure her family will appreciate it as well. Thank you for sharing.
This shit is never easy, leaves me with tears. I believe Chistina will come out okay. Until I know for sure, I'll ball my eyes out. I don't care about being inevitable.
WHAT? Oh my freaking God! This really sucks. I used to love blogging with her so much. She was so kind & fun. When she went to the hospital I said a prayer for her. I guess it wasn't enough. I really, truly will miss having her around. Life isn't fair, it just consumes.
My condolences. She must have been a very special person to have friends such as yourself Melissa. I am sure that kind of friendship must be a comfort to her family who must now rebuild their lives with the memories she left.
Melissa, Sorry to hear about Christina. I caught this on another post earlier (yesterday). I know that she will be missed. Thanks for the tribute...
What a beautiful tribute to Christina. She left many friends who will remember her and her fight against cancer. Thanks for the tribute.
A beautiful tribute. There is no doubt that she will be missed by all who knew her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
Hi Melissa, As hard as it is thank you for giving us this news. I only knew Christina from AR but truly loved her. I was her favorite you know :)
So young, so beautiful, so vibrant. I sure God has a special place picked out for her. Finally she is pain free and at peace.
So very sorry to hear about Christina. My thoughts and prayers go out to her friends and family. We will miss her.
Too young to lose someone with a smile like that.
My heart goes out to all who knew Christine, but hold on to her smiley memories, and she'll live on inside all of you.
Beautiful photo tribute Melissa.
Oh I am heartbroken, she was such a wonderful person and blogger. She had made many friends here on Activerain. God bless and be with her family. She fought the good fight for many months. I know she is free from pain and suffering but it sure doesn't make things any easier.
She will be missed. Thank you ma'am for letting us know.
Very nice tribute, I did not know Christina and it is clearly my loss. prayers to her and her family.
Beautiful photos. Cancer strikes all of us hard. May God watch over you and your family in your time of loss
Heath - She did have a lovely smile. She will be greatly missed.
Ann- I just can't believe she is gone. We never got that lunch she promised me.
Sally - I know how much Christina adored you. TY for commenting here.
Gwen - Christina was a very special person. She still is a very special person.
June - She will be missed so much.
Jo - TY,
To Everyone :
Thank you all for your kindness and warmth. I will try to respond to each of you directly but it's hard right now. I know many of you are as shocked as I. Right before Christina went in for her last surgery less than a month ago we talked and about so many things. We promised to do lunch as soon as possible. Christina teased me because she loved sushi and I don't. Our local sushi restaurant was one of her favorites. I remember saying I was not putting anything raw in my mouth and Christina doubled over with laughter. We joked about this for the 4 years I have known her. Some nights after a long day we would sit around the firepit with a glass of wine. Now, there's an empty glass.
Christina fought hard. Everytime I spoke with her and in her emails when she was unable to talk never one time did Christina ever give up. I remember quoting and reading pages or writing them to her from the book she loved "The Secret". She always said " she would beat this". I believe she did. She taught all of us the will to fight. Even when Christinas voice was taken from her and her legs to walk she never gave up. She taught me so much on the will to survive.
If there is one thing I can say and pass on to everyone it is that life is to short. Go to lunch with your friend, find the time, laugh until you cannot laugh anymore. Cry until your sides hurt. Let the people you know and love know that you love them, find the time. Life is to short. I will never get that lunch we talked about, she was busy, I was busy and now it's to late.
Sardi - Hun, she's gone. She fought the battle hard, she has won the wat because now she is free from pain. She has come through but not in the way we wanted. She's gone. Even saying that makes this feel like a horrible dream.
Hi Melissa,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Christina's family. I am sorry for your loss. She sounds like a great and caring person.
-Lisa
Wow...I'm speechless. Very very sad.....:-( My thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone who knew and loved Christina. This is a very nice tribute.
It sounds like she was a truely special person, My condolences to her family and friends
I first read this last night and started to cry. I never knew Christina but so wish I had. You can feel her presence through her photos and her love of animals. Your pain is felt deeply also. It comes right through the page.
As I was about to comment late last night, my battery died and I put it off till this morning. Coming back here now is no less painful. I'm so sorry for you and all her friends and loved ones. It's' always devastating to lose those closest to us, but even more difficult to accept when they're so young.
God bless her in her journey. She is surrounded by love there as she is here.
Melissa, I didn't know Christina, but your tribute makes me wish I had known her.
Melissa - what a moving post and tribute to a great friend. While I don't know Christina, I know that she's lucky to have had a friend like you in her life.
Thank you for letting me know, Melissa. We will see her in heaven, but that doesn't make us any less sad for now. Christina is a dear person who touched many lives, and that will live on.
What a moving tribute Melissa. While I don't know either of you personally, you have my most heartfelt thoughts and to let you know I have lost several close friends from cancer and I donate and participate to help this cause. What a generous spirit Christina conveyed and I'm sure she touched many people in a permanent way.
Mellissa: thank you for sharing. I am, however, very sad. I KNOW she's in a wonderful place, but of course the world below is going to miss her.
Melissa, Sorry for your loss. Good advice to encourage others to support the Relay for Life.
Melissa: What a beautiful tribute to your friend Chrisina, and I have followed her story and stuggle here on Active Rain. She is with her angels now, and will be a guardian angel for those she loves.
All I can do is say what everyone else has already said. What a beautiful and young woman we have lost. I didn't know her but I wish I had. Through her friends like you she will live on here on AR.
Make you really re-think what we need to be concerned about in life. So our savings are cut in half. So our sales are way off. Time to appreciate that we are here and what is our true purpose. Would someone write such a post about me? I really don't know.
Beautifully done........
It is so hard to recover from the loss of a dear friend or loved one. This really makes you stop and realize what really matters. So sorry, for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.
What a nice tribute for a special person. My prayers are with her family and friends.
From your post, she was indeed a special person. I will keep you and her family in my prayers. You gave a lovely tribute to her.
What a beautiful tribute to your friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and to her family.
Her love for her pets is dear to my heart. I didn't know Christina but I wish I did.
What a beatiful tribute to a beautiful person. I'm so sad for her family and friends and for Christina...Cancer needs to go away...I've seen a lot of the pain it brings first hand this year...
When all hope seems lost. . a light in the sky illuminates. . . to turn despair into peace.
Your will find what may have been a star while in earth. ..now everyone can see her radiance.
So sorry for your loss.
This is a sad day, I am so sorry to lose her. She was always commenting on my Blog and saying the sweetest things. The last comment she made was on my "Home Sweet Home" blog post. I know that's where she is now finally resting at peace. She has gone "home...sweet home, but will be terribly missed here on earth and in our community.
Here is a link to Christina's profile and Blog on AR.
Please stop by there and see some of the great contributions she leaves behind for us all. Thanks for posting this Melissa, I know how hard this must have been. You should also add her and this post to our Group of "Remembered Members" here in the "rain." Thanks.
Her family and friends are in our deepest thoughts and heartfelt prayers.
Melissa,
I'm so sorry for your loss. I loved the pictures with her smiles..you are a special friend!
Sad News Melissa. Our condolences and prayers to Christina's family - she will be missed - I will cherish every comment she ever shared with me - kind people like her are rarer nowadays - she has many crowns in heaven for her deeds here on earth - thanks kindly for enlightening us on her causes.
Sincerely,
Grace
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Christina and her family; may the lights she left behind never dims and the joys, laughter and memories never waver.
Melissa,
The perfect video to post as a tribute to Christina's spirit. Thank you for letting me know that today would have been her 40th birthday. It feels so unfair when we lose someone too soon, when we feel she did not get the chance to live out her life.
AR is that special place in the blog world where we not only get to post our thoughts, write about our passions, and work our businesses ... but it is that unique blogging place where relationships are formed and lives are changed. No place else like this place in the blogging world where so many people could write that they really enjoyed knowing someone they never got to meet in person.
You, my Tennessee Sister, are a special leader, not only as a Team Capt for Relay for Life, but in bringing people together ... you are a connector. You did a good thing letting the world know more about your friend, our Rain-friend, Christina. God bless you!
This is so sad. I didn't even realize that she was battling this awful thing. I'm sorry for your loss.
Melissa, I'm so sorry for you and all of her friends and family. I didn't know her, but feel her vitality in the remembrances of people here and through your beautiful tribute to her. It's so sad...Hugs to you.
Carol - Thank you so much. I know Christina is watching over everyone
Charlie- Christina would appreciate you and your kind words.
Fran - Thank you. She is without pain right now and at peace.
Melissa, I am sorry to read this, I have read her posts and felt like I knew her through AR, I have just recently been involved with Relay for Life and for the first time lost a family member to cancer. I will forever be a part of relay now...You have put together an excellent post because of your love and friendship with Christina.
Melissa, I am so sad to hear this, Christina was an awesome person. She was the first one to make me feel welcome here on A/R. We will all miss the light of her smile.