My Chicago Trip

Hey all, Last weekend I snuck home to surprise my Daughter and my family, It was my daughter Kristens baby shower, We had not seen each other since the start of her pregnancy and she had promised to send pictures.Well the pics never came so I hopped on a plane on Friday morning and arrived at her baby shower.Too her surprise and mine it could not have been scripted any better. IT WAS A WONDERFUL FEELING. And on top of all many friends and relatives were also in attendance AND my grand daughter Madison.This was the best 30 hours I can think of in a very long time. So to my Children and Grandbaby Thank you for the great weekend !! you all made my heart skip a beat. I love you..............Dad

Happy Mothers Day

Some Mothers day poems to share..As I was Blessed with a Mom of all Moms

We only have One Mom, One Mommy,
One Mother in this World, One life.
Don't wait for the Tomorrow's
to tell Mom, you love her"
~Author Unknown~

"To the world you might just be one person,
but to one person you might just be the world."
~Author Unknown~



WONDERFUL MOTHER

God made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He moulded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

~By Pat O'Reilly~



AND GRANDMA'S TOO...

"While we honor all our mothers
with words of love and praise.
While we tell about their goodness
and their kind and loving ways.
We should also think of Grandma,
she's a mother too, you see....
For she mothered my dear mother
as my mother mothers me."

~Author Unknown~



MOTHER'S LOVE

Her love is like
an island in life's ocean,
vast and wide

A peaceful, quiet shelter
From the wind, the rain, the tide.
'Tis bound on the north by Hope,
By Patience on the West,
By tender Counsel on the South
And on the East by Rest.

Above it like a beacon light
Shine Faith, and Truth, and Prayer;
And thro' the changing scenes of life
I find a haven there.

~Author Unknown~



MORE THAN A MOTHER

When God set the world in place,
when He hung the stars up in space,
when He made the land and the sea,
then He made you and me.

He sat back and saw all that was good,
He saw things to be as they should.
Just one more blessing He had in store;
He created a mother, but whatever for?

He knew a mother would have a special place
to shine His reflection on her child's face.
A mother will walk the extra mile
just to see her children smile.
She'll work her fingers to the bone
to make a house into a home.

A mother is there to teach and guide,
a mother will stay right by your side.
She'll be there through your pain and strife,
she'll stay constant in your life.

A mother will lend a helping hand
until you have the strength to stand.
She'll pick you up when you are down,
when you need a friend she'll stick around.

A mother is one who listens well,
will keep her word; will never tell.

A mother never pokes or pries
but stands quietly by your side,
giving you the strength you need,
encouraging you to succeed.

A mother is one who can be strong
when you need someone to lean on.

You're more than a mother to me;
a reflection of Him in your face I see,
a love that knows no boundaries.

I'm glad that you chose to be
all this and more to me.
You share a love that knows no end,
you're more than my mother,
you are my friend.

~By Kari Keshmiry~



A POEM FOR MY MOTHER

I miss you so much,
your laugh, your smile, your touch.
You always brightened my days
with all the smiles you sent my way.
I need you as my angel
to always be at my side.
I need you as my angel
to give me peace of mind.
I like to think your near to me
to know that you are there.
Even though I can not see you,
I feel that you are near.
Please do not forget me mom,
for you are always in my heart,
my thoughts and prayers.
I love you.

~By Shari M. Blom~



M-O-T-H-E-R

"M" is for the million things she gave me,
"O" means only that she's growing old,
"T" is for the tears she shed to save me,
"H" is for her heart of purest gold;
"E" is for her eyes, with love-light shining,
"R" means right, and right she'll always be,

Put them all together, they spell "MOTHER,"

A word that means the world to me.

~By Howard Johnson~

The Rosemont Story/ Mayor Bradley Stephens

Well lets start by saying that being a blogger of many subjects,I have decided to take this time and write a very short but strong piece here. The reason ?? Being an avid follower of Chicago Suburb politics and a former resident of Rosemont for 20 something years. Over the last few years I read other peoples accounts of Rosemont and it bothers me to great extents when I read the B.S. that people write that have no real clue of what they are saying. So as a former resident of this great place I thought it only right that I express my thought on the subject of which I know through real life experience.. Lets start with the Honorable and that is the correct word!! Honorable Donald E. Stephens, Here was a brillant man with a brilliant dream that was carried out beyond even his wildest thought could be. This was a man who dreamed a city or village where people could live that true american dream..LIFE IN THE SUBURBS, family life, Great schools and top level Government, We had this all to the millionth degree. This was a man who made all who lived here feel like we were all part of a large loving family.Growing up he was like a Dad to all the kids that lived there ..WHY ?? because he at all activities and school events and etc etc ,

This was no politician or any politician we had ever heard of because he cared about the people and the Village he loved so. He was respected because he had respect for all, Growing up with the kids Mark, Donnie, Bradley and Gail we had the insight of the real life going on and not the unfounded stories the newspapers and other jealous people led people to believe, This was a first class family who allowed to share their Father with a whole community who loved him as much as he loved them. That folks is the definition of a Class act! I could spend days here at this computer writing about the accomplishments Of his Honor, But will save the rest of the story for a future blog post
I am working on...

The Reason for this article today is to wish Mayor Bradley Stephen a huge congratulations !! keeping apprised of Chicago newspapers I had to take the time to write my opinion. AS a Outsider as I now live in Phoenix. And they always say you miss things when your away, Well I have always kept Rosemont in my heart still always feeling like I will always be a Proud Resident..The Structure of this is leading to Mayor Bradley Stephens as a long term Mayor ??? YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT.

 As I have known Bradley since we were young children let me assure you if there is any ONE person in this world that can continue the dream of the late Donald Stephens it is surely his son Bradley, He is a true protege of his father warmth, wisdom and total concern for other that is almost untouchable in this changing times. I remember when he was starting to learn all of this knowledge working along side him many days and nites, both of us many hours of Manuel labor in the convention center..No special treatments but always paid well for a job well done, So to all you skeptics, you probably are not skeptical at all looks like the green eyed monster has a hold of you!! Because all of us that have memories and stories of this neat place we grew up in seem to look at you with discern. So it is my pleasure to also call you his HONOR..

Mayor Bradley Stephens and I know like all of us who know you we are proud of you as we know your Dad is of you Good luck your Honor and may God Bless you and the Stephens Family. Thank you for all of you and some of my fondest memories. M.J.S.

Why Online Shopping ?

CHECK THESE STATS!!!!

Nearly half of U.S. consumers said they planned to increase their holiday shopping online, due in part to high gasoline prices, a holiday shopping survey found.

Forty-four percent of respondents said they planned to do more of their holiday shopping online this year than they did last year, the MyBuys survey conducted by Harris Interactive said Monday.

With growing numbers of people shopping online, "it is more important than ever for online retailers to differentiate themselves," in large part by offering as personalized an online shopping experience as possible, the researchers said.

While 80 percent of online U.S. shoppers buy products Web retailers recommend, 62 percent said product recommendations were rarely personalized to their tastes, the survey found.

To improve sales, retailers should personalize online shopping by recommending brands and categories customers have shown interest in, 53 percent of respondents said.

Sixty-five percent said they would also like retailers to offer e-mail alerts when out-of-stock products arrive, the survey found.

Harris conducted the telephone survey of 2,480 U.S. adults JUNE. 1-5. Figures for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, household income and other factors were weighted to bring the sample in line with the actual population.

Consumer Confidence with Online Shopping

Consumer Confidence With Online Shopping – On
the Rise Every Year!
The earliest years of e-commerce were met with more than a little suspicion and the pioneering retailers on the Internet were slow to develop customer following because consumers, for the most part not terribly savvy about the workings of the Internet yet, simply didn’t completely trust the technology. Consumer confidence with online shopping took a few years to take off.

Shopping online seemed risky and they weren’t willing to risk sending their credit card or personal information “into the ether” for fear that it would be stolen in transit and used by an unauthorized individual. Visions of the now famous commercial (a middle-aged man with a paunch talking in a giggly Valley-girl squeal about buying a leather bustier) danced through shoppers’ heads. So who’s shopping online?

As banks and credit card companies began assuring consumers of credit protection services, more and more consumer spending trickled into the Net market place. The rise of Secure Sockets Layer servers (SSL) provided added protection that also protected shopper information and buying online began to seem less risky. Online retailers, seeing that consumers needed a sense of security, acknowledged this with opt-in offerings rather than forcing consumers to provide some types of information.

When consumers could choose not to sign up for newsletters or updates and decline to be on mailing lists, they began to feel in control of their online shopping experiences. For Net merchants, this was the vote of confidence they’d been waiting for. By 2003, the Internet had racked up over $52 billion in retail sales!

Retailers Turn to Internet Savvy Home Webmasters

Retailers soon realized that with this influx of sales online there was a new and unique marketing paradigm being created. Confidence was high, Net surfers were in a shopping mood, and advertisers wanted to sell. But how and where to reach the millions of people that were on the Internet every day that had such enormous purchasing power?

LinkShare and Commission Junction were two companies who saw the potential in matching up advertisers with webmasters to the benefit of both. With millions of small, medium and large websites available that catered to special interests from extreme sports to Victorian collectables, partnerships only made sense.

It was the beginning of pay-for-performance marketing partnerships, and was a boon to people looking for a way to work from home and make a good living. By offering guidance and monitoring the process, including collecting all commissions and paying the webmasters with one monthly check, these companies simplified web marketing to consumers for both retailers and website publishers.

Website publishers could work from home publishing a site about a topic they were passionate about and collect income simply by linking to retailers who targeted consumers who fit their profile niche. It guaranteed the retailers they would be seen by consumers interested in buying their products and provided income to the webmasters.

Interestingly, many Internet users felt a sense of trust when they found links to retailers on sites they visited for other purposes. For instance if they visited a gardening website for tips on treating roses or a home improvement website for information on how to refinish a cabinet, they tended to trust any stored linked from these “advice” style websites. Retailers like Home Depot knew loyalty to these styles of sites was strong and responded. Today, nearly every Fortune 500 company in the U.S. has links to millions of affiliate websites to take advantage of that Internet loyalty and build a purchasing relationship on it.

Looking to the future, as more and more consumers turn to shopping in the Internet for its convenience and safety, working at home on your PC will become an option that’s more common as retailers make increasing use of affiliate websites for their advertising needs.

Words Women Use:

A Little Humor and Some Good Advice.............

1.) FINE: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are
right and you need to shut the fuck up.

2.) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour.
Five Minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more
minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
>
>3.) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something,
>and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing
>usually end in fine.
>
>4.) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Do It and DIE!
>
>5.) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement
>often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an
>idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing
>with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)
>
>6.) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women
>can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard
>before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
>
>7.) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say
>you're welcome.
>
>8.) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying FUCK YOU!
>
>9.) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning
>this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but
>is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "what's
>wrong", for the woman's response refer to # 3.
>
>Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can
>avoid if they remember the terminology. Send this to all the women you
>know to give them a good laugh, cause they know its true.

Happy St. Josephs Day

According to the Christian Bible, St. Joseph the carpenter was the husband of Mary and the earthly father of Jesus. Tradition says that March 19th is the birthday of St. Joseph.

The feast that is celebrated on St. Joseph's Day honors all fathers.

In the Catholic tradition, St. Joseph's Day traditionally falls during the fasting season of Lent that precedes Easter. That means the feasting for St. Joseph's Day is done without meat. Italian recipes include pastas, fish, sweets, breads and fava beans. Many other countries join the festivities on March 19th and, since Joseph is one of the most common names in these countries, most families have at least one Giuseppe, Jozefa, José, Pepe, Joe or Josephine to celebrate with.

TRADITIONS
• Italian Catholics and many descendants of Italian immigrants prepare St. Joseph Tables, tavole di San Giuseppe, set to honor St. Joseph. They are filled with beautiful and often elaborate foods, including meatless dishes such as stuffed artichokes, pasta and fish, as well as breads, cookies, pastries, cakes and other delicacies.

• St. Joseph Tables are placed in both churches and homes. Each table is blessed by a priest and presided over by a statue of St. Joseph. A stalk of lily blossoms, votive candles and a lace tablecloth are typically used to decorate the feast table.

• Notices are posted in newspapers and in other media inviting the public to view and partake of the traditional meal of pasta Milanese. Participants often leave donations at the table.

• Special groups such as orphans, the elderly or the homeless are invited to share in the feast. At the end of St. Joseph's Day, leftover food is sold or given away, and any money earned is donated to the poor.

• In the United States, red is worn on St. Joseph's Day. There doesn't seem to be any religious significance to this color. It seems to have begun as a tradition to complement the tradition of wearing green on St. Patrick's Day, which falls only two days before.

• St. Joseph is the patron of workers and those in need of work. Prayers for the unemployed are often included in the traditions of March 19th celebrations.

• Burying a statue of St. Joseph in your yard on March 19th is said to help in selling your home and finding a new one. There are even special kits that are marketed for this, although most would say that a prayer would do just as well!

WHEN
The feast day of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19 every year. In 2007, St. Joseph's Day is on Monday.

PURPOSE
St. Joseph's Day is a Roman Catholic feast day commemorating the life of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus and husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

CELEBRATION
Those with strong religious associations, most often those of European descent, typically celebrate St. Joseph's Day.

Greeting cards with a spiritual focus and a light blessing are used to commemorate St. Joseph's Day. In the United States, Hallmark offers four St. Joseph's Day cards.

In many countries St. Joseph's Day is a national holiday.

Those who visit a St. Joseph's table, often receive gifts of fava beans and breads. Fava beans play an integral part of the celebration because this was the food that saved the Sicilians from starvation. The bean is said to bring good luck, and it is believed that if the St. Joseph's bread is kept in the home, the family will never starve.

HISTORY
Many Italian St. Joseph's Day traditions stem from the middle ages. During a famine in Sicily, when food was scarce and many people were starving, the poor people had only their faith to rely on. St. Joseph was known as the protector of the Holy Family; thus, Italians with strong family relationships prayed for St. Joseph to intercede for them, in an effort to ensure successful crops. Their prayers were answered, and the famine came to an end. In gratitude, people promised to make annual offerings of their most precious possession – food – in St. Joseph's honor.

Little is said in the gospel about Joseph, except that he was a descendant of David and a carpenter by trade. Legends provide additional details about Joseph's life. He supposedly was a widower of advanced age when he was chosen by God to wed Mary.

According to one legend, Mary's many suitors left their staffs in the temple one night so that God could indicate who she should marry. The next morning, Joseph's staff blossomed with white flowers and leaves and sent forth a white dove, indicating that he was the chosen one. This explains why statues of St. Joseph typically show him holding the Christ Child and a stalk of white lilies and why this day is a common celebration of fathers throughout the Christian world.

March 19 is said to be St. Joseph's birthday and is celebrated as St. Joseph's Day.

The feast of St. Joseph also marks the beginning of spring in many countries. One Czech proverb, Pekne-li na Svatého Josefa, bývá dobrý rok...

Or, If it is nice on St. Joseph's Day, it will usually be a good year

Amazing Grace at the Coliseum in Rome

Wow ...
> If you haven't heard Il Divo sing before, you are in for an extra treat.
> This is an operatic quartet consisting of a Swiss, a Spaniard, a Frenchman
> and
> an American.

I Owe My Mother....Italian Style

I Owe My Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA .
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOUR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM..
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite: 25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE .

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you

To My Dawn Marie

This Song says it all I Love You Always Forever

Don't cry for me Daddy,

I'm right here.
Although you can't see me
I see your tears.
I visit you often,
I go to work with you each day,
And when it's time for you
to close your eyes ,
On your pillow is where I lay.
I hold your hand &
stroke your hair,
And whisper in your ear.
If you're sad today Daddy,
Remember, I am here.
God took me home.
This we know is true.
But you'll always be My Daddy
Even though I'm not with you.
We will never be apart,
For everytime you think of me,
Please know I'm in your Heart..........
~Author Unknown

Idea's for Spreading Kindness...Or Random Acts of Kindness

On one occasion, a family was at a shoe store where I was purchasing school shoes for my children. They had six children and were debating on which two children would get shoes, since they could not afford shoes for all six. I sought out the manager of the store and gave him enough money for the family to buy shoes for all of their children. I told him to wait until I left the store before telling them about the money. I did not want them to feel obligated to thank me or uncomfortable about accepting the gift. The family was then able to purchase shoes for all of their children. I did not care if the family knew me, however, I did want them to know WHY I was doing this. It was in memory of my beautiful daughter. This would have been the perfect opportunity to leave the Kindness card. Enter the "Random Acts of Kindness" card.
The family would never know me. Who I was is unimportant. But my child and her life is important. The first step in Project Kindness is to seek out ways, look for opportunities, to do something nice for someone. This takes very little creativity, as I have found kind deeds waiting to be done thousands of times. Here are some ideas of deeds for the Kindness Project:

Don’t forget to attach the Kindness Project Cards!! The best thing about the Kindness Project is the fun of anonymity. Be sure to leave the card and leave without being seen as often as you can! Do something kind every day! Share your loved one with the world!


Buy a meal for a young couple or family sitting next to you at a restaurant. Leave the Kindness card with the waitress to give them after you leave. It is a nice surprise they will never forget. It may even make them consider the mortality of their own children and lessen what time they may take for granted.
Partake in a Christmas Angel Program. Leave the card so they know your motivation of love!
Buy shoes or clothes for a family in need.
Bake cookies for a neighbor or teacher, just because.
Order a subscription to Angels Magazine for a family member. Ask that the Kindness card be enclosed in the first issue. It will reinforce, even to family, that your child is never forgotten.
Help an elderly person with yard work or grocery shopping. Many elderly people have a story or two to tell about their own baby that died many years ago.
Visit a nursing home and bring cupcakes. Sit and visit with a few of the residents. You'd be amazed at the loving reception you will receive as many residents rarely receive visitors.
Leave a bouquet at another child's grave at the cemetery. Let them know about our Kindness Project and your child!
Most electric companies allow individuals to assist families who are struggling with their electric bill. If you partake in the program, send your payment with a Kindness card and let them experience the love of your child.
Sign up to participate in a program such as Feed the Children. Your Kindness card will tell them the story of why you are doing this.
Donate to your favorite nonprofit group on your child's birthday or death day. Ask family members and friends to do the same.
Volunteer your time at a local homeless shelter or a crisis nursery.
Buy a new calendar for a workmate.
Donate some grief books to the library or a local support group.
Leave an extra large tip for your food server!
Buy the meal for the person behind you at the fast food drive through.
Leave a bouquet of flowers on someone’s front door step.
Bake goodies and take them to the police station, fire station, or hospital.
Pay a local teen to mow an elderly neighbor’s yard.
Crochet a baby’s blanket and take it to the hospital nursery. Premature babies can always use tiny booties and caps.
Buy a balloon bouquet and ask the nurses the children’s hospital to deliver them to a child.
Make a memorial donation to honor your loved one and a friend’s loved one.
Take a box of doughnuts to an elementary school for a classroom.
Plug someone’s parking meter.
Go to the post office in mid December and ask for of the “letters to Santa” that they get every year. Buy and send the gift on Christmas.
Adopt a street or just pick up litter in the neighborhood.
Leave your change in the soda machine for the next person. It's a nice surprise.
Buy coffee for the person standing behind you in line.
Write to management at places where you get especially good service and commend them (specify names!)
Tape a quarter to a pay phone with a note welcoming anyone who needs it to use it.
Adopt a family through a social service agency, not just at Christmas. People go hungry all year.
Plant a tree or some flowers for a local church. Perhaps offer to “build” a Memorial Garden.
Volunteer at a local shelter, crisis nursery or soup kitchen. This will give more to you than you can imagine.
Volunteer to read to children at your nearest library.
Send your child a note in his lunchbox. Remind them how special they are to you.
Organize a large toy, clothing and diaper drive for a crisis nursery.
Pay for a small child's candy at a convenient store.
Pay for someone's toll and/or gas.
Look for opportunities to open the door for someone or give up your seat for someone.
Buy lunch for the couple or family sitting next to you as you pay your own. Be sure to be secretive!
Buy a toy for a child in the store and ask the clerk to deliver it after you’ve gone.

The list of possible kindnesses is endless. Every act you extend will amaze you! The healing, peace and satisfaction which is born from every kindness is undeniable. It is one of the gifts our children have left behind for us to discover. Please order some of our Kindness cards. We have made them very affordable so that everyone can participate. Then send us your stories. We will publish "Kindness" stories in our newsletter and here on the website. Share your ideas with others and talk about the wonderful and miraculous love your child continues to share within your community. Let them all know that your child lives within your heart, still and always.

Joanne Cacciatore,
Founder,
M.I.S.S. Foundation


My thank you to the M.I.S.S. for this informaton from their website
http://www.missfoundation.org/kindness/ideas.html

M.I.S.S. Foundation....Truly Angels

This is a foundation of Angels, When I met the Founder Dr. Joanne Cacciatore 7 yrs ago at a memorial candle ceremony, I felt like there were others who understood!,Such a warm and caring person, Truly a marvelous Women, Please let me share this wonderful organization with you....

The MISS Foundation is a 501 (c) 3, volunteer based organization committed to providing crisis support and long term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause. MISS also participates in legislative and advocacy issues, community engagement and volunteerism, and culturally competent, multidisciplinary, education opportunities.

A Message from Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, Founder

Welcome to the MISS Foundation's online support site. If you are a family member experiencing the death of a child, we extend our deepest empathy. There simply are not words to express the depth of the sorrow...we are here to share the pain and we want you to know that we will walk with you.

There is so much to learn and see in the MISS Foundation website. In addition to the online support site, we also have face-to-face support groups in certain areas. The "Families" section contains current and back issues of our award-winning newsletter, MISSing Angels, as well as our online support groups, a place to find face-to-face support or information on beginning your own MISS Foundation Support Chapter, and even a downloadable funeral planner.

The online "Forums" contain 27 online support groups with thousands of members and we welcome you to join our online community.

In our professionals section,there is information on our workshops and speakers available to present in your facility about many topics relating to child death.

And there is so much more information contained in our pages...take your time and browse. Feel free to ask questions and know that there is no greater tragedy than the death of a child. You do not walk alone.

Joanne Cacciatore, PhD, MSW, FT

About MISS

More than 120,000 children die every year in the United States. Of those, more than 80% die before their first birthday...
The MISS Foundation is a nonprofit corporation committed to helping families discover hope and eventually heal from the trauma of a child's death.

More information on the MISS Foundation visit our information packet link:
http://www.missfoundation.org/news/mediakit/index.html

Vision

That our programs will serve to strengthen families and communities when a child has died, and that through education and research, we will help to reduce the number of child deaths. No family should have to endure the pain of a child family member's death alone: The MISS Foundation is committed to building interdisciplinary communities that provide long-term support to families after a child's death. We are committed to the memory of the children who lived, who died, and who continue- even in death- to matter.


"A community of sorrow is the strongest community of all."

Memorial Donations

You may make a memorial donation in memory of a child. Acknowledgements will be listed in the MISSing Angels Newsletter and acknowledgement memorial cards sent. The monies will be used for our Emergency Services program, which provides free literature, books, and support group brochures to families who have experienced the death of their child. You can sponsor an entire Emergency Packet. We will also include a Kindness Project card signed in honor of your child or grandchild.

Memorial Donations or Emergency Packet Sponsors can send their gift to:

MISS Foundation- Memorial Donations
P.O. Box 5333
Peoria, Arizona 85385-5333

Or Donate Online

All donations are tax deductible

To contact the MISS Foundation:

International Office
1.623.979.1000
1.623.979.1001 fax

Toll Free in the U.S.
888 455-MISS (6477)

Written inquiries:
PO Box 5333
Peoria, Arizona 85385-5333

Email:
info@missfoundation.org

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Arizona Cardinal Theme Song

GO CARDINALS...Battle of the Birds





Arizona Cardinals Ready to Shock the World:

Can You Say Super Bowl 43 Champions? by The Best College Basketball Players You've Never Heard OfAfter a first look at the Arizona Cardinals this year, I figured they would not be good. It would be like every year we see them; they are always an okay team.

Never in a million years did I think I would be saying that the Cardinals would be Super Bowl 44 Champions. But after watching this team in the playoffs and seeing that they seem to win their games easily, I can say that it is possible they could win the Super Bowl this year. They have history to back them up, too.

The Steelers and Giants were wild card teams who got in and no one expected them to go far at all. There were the favorites, like the Colts and Patriots, but those two ended up winning instead.

It is the same with the Cardinals. They are a wild card team and barely got in with an 8-8 record. I for one griped that an 8-8 team got into the playoffs while my team, the Pats, had 11 wins and were unable to be in.

I know that the Cards are NFC and the Pats are AFC, but I still hate the fact that they got in. That was until I saw them beat the Falcons.

The Falcons were favored because they had won more games and seemed to have more talent. They were on a roll with a hot rookie QB and a pretty solid defense.



It was like they didn't show up, but the Cards did. I figured it was a fluke and they just got passed them but would go down next week to the Panthers.

It was not a fluke, as you know. The Cards bounced the Panthers out of the playoffs with surprising defense. They have five turnovers through their playoff games this season. They played solid defense on Steve Smith.

Smith didn't get a catch in the game until the end of the third quarter. They held him catchless in the first half. A veteran in Smith, who has been to a Super Bowl. He went against corners that people beat all year.

The Cards' defense, led by Rolle, Dockett, and Berry, are taking out offenses. That was what they lacked all this time. They have always had the offense. They can score TDs, but could never seem to stop the other teams from scoring.

Now that they can, look out. The offense blasted the Panthers' defense, which was very surprising to me. Of course they have a good offense, but I figured the Panthers would stop it.

Larry Fitzgerald just killed the Panthers' corners. They apparently forgot that they had to cover him. Boldin was out with an injury and is supposed to be the best wide out on the team, but Fitzgerald blasted Carolina's defense all by himself.

Edgerrin James played a good game last week, finally showing up for the first time in his Cardinals career. He didn't really get his feet under him last night. He kept slipping in the game, but no one else really did.

Edge did not have a great game, but he was a good decoy. Fitzgerald got open early because of the run threat.

Now with all of this helping the new greatest show on earth led by the only man to be on both in Kurt Warner they are great. Warner seemed to exorcise his demons on the road in this game, as he has not played well away from home.

But in this one he did, and that was the impressive thing to me. Seeing a veteran do well is expected, but when they do bad it is unexpected. Some did not think what he did was great, but he is the reason the Cards are where they are currently.

IF BOTH of your parents are/were ITALIAN

IF BOTH of your parents are/were ITALIAN this is a nice reflection back to the way things used to be...

Per tutta la Mia famiglia e gli amici it amo oggi, domani e sempre

To all my family and friends I love you today, tomorrow and always

42 Things In The Life Of An Italian American Child


01. You have at least one relative who wore a black dress every day for an entire year after a funeral.

02. You spent your entire childhood thinking what you ate for lunch was pronounced 'sangwich.'

03. Your family dog understood Italian.

04. Every Sunday afternoon of your childhood was spent visiting your grandparents and extended family.




05. You've experienced the phenomena of 150 people fitting into 50 square feet of yard during a family cookout

06. You were surprised to discover the FDA recommends you eat three meals a day, not seven.

07. You thought killing the pig each year and having salami, capacollo, pancetta and prosciutto hanging out to dry from your shed ceiling was absolutely normal. (Wow, that's really Italian!)

08. You ate pasta for dinner at least three times a week, and every Sunday, and laughed at the commercial for Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti day.

09. You grew up thinking no fruit or vegetable had a fixed price and that the price of everything was negotiable through haggling.

10. You were as tall as your grandmother by the age of seven.

11. You thought everyone's last name ended in a vowel.

12. You thought nylons were supposed to be worn rolled to the ankles.





13. Your mom's main hobby is cleaning.

14. You were surprised to find out that wine was actually sold in stores.

15. You thought that everyone made their own tomato sauce.

16. You never ate meat on Christmas Eve or any Friday for that matter.






17. You ate your salad after the main course.

18. You thought Catholic was the only religion in the world.


19. You were beaten at least once with a wooden spoon or broom.

20. You thought every meal had to be eaten with a hunk of bread in your hand






21. You can understand Italian but you can't speak it.
22. You have at least one relative who came over on the boat.

23. All of your uncles fought in a World War.



24. You have at least six male relatives named
Tony, Frank, Joe or Louie.

25. You have relatives who aren't really your relatives.

26. You have relatives you don't speak to. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!

27. You drank wine before you were a teenager.

28. You relate on some level, admit it, to the Godfather and the Sopranos. I maka a meata ball you can't refuse!.
Forrgetttabbboutit! Badda bing!






29. You grew up in a house with a yard that didn't have one patch of dirt that didn't have a flower or a vegetable growing out of it.

30. Your grandparent's furniture was as comfortable as sitting on plastic. Wait!!!! You were sitting on plastic.

31. You thought that talking loud was normal.


32. You thought sugared almonds and the Tarantella were common at all weddings.

33. You thought everyone got pinched on the cheeks and money stuffed in their pockets by their relatives.

34. Your mother is overly protective of the males in the family no matter what their age.

35. There was a crucifix in every room of the house.

36. Wakes would be held in someone's living room.

37. You couldn't date a boy without getting approval from your father. (Oh, and he had to be Italian)

38. You called pasta 'macaroni'.

39. You dreaded taking out your lunch at school
40. Going out for a cup of coffee usually meant going out for a cup of coffee over Zia's house.

41 Every condition, ailment, misfortune, memory loss and accident was attributed to the fact that you didn't eat something.

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Happy Birthday Dawn

Today My Angel would have been your 31st birthday,Today as hard as it will be I will smile in honor of you,May all you visit her website at http://dawnsansone.memory-of.com/about.aspx

This poem is for all of us who miss our Angel


Try To Understand

Last night while I was trying to sleep,
My daughters voice I did hear
I opened my eyes and looked around,
But she did not appear.

Shesaid:"Dad you've got to listen,
You've got to understand
God didn't take me from you,dad
He only took my hand.

When I called out in pain that night,
The instant that I died,
He reached down and took my hand,
And pulled me to His side.

He pulled me up and saved me
From the misery and pain.
My body was hurt so badly inside,
I could never be the same.

My search is really over now,
I've found happiness within,
All the answers to my empty dreams
And all that might have been.

I love you all and miss you so,
And I'll always be nearby.
My body's gone forever,
But my spirit will never die!

And so, you must all go on now,
Live one day at a time.
Just understand-
God did not take me from you,
He only took my hand

Merry Christmas To All

Christmas is a time for love and fun,
A time to reshape souls and roots and skies,
A time to give your heart to everyone
Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,
Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs
Show need of such a time for love and fun.

For children first, whose pain is never done,
Whose bright white fire of anguish never dies,
It's time to give your heart to every one,

That not one angel fall, to hatred won
For lack of ears to listen to her cries,
Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

Or friends to care what happens on the run
To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.
It's time to give your heart to everyone,

For God loves all, and turns His back on none,
Good or twisted, ignorant or wise.
Christmas is a time for love and fun,
A time to give your heart to everyone
Merry Chrixst

Christmas Quotes

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale


Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home. ~Carol Nelson


He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith


Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ~Mary Ellen Chase


I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. ~Charles Dickens


Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year - and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority. ~W.J. Cameron


The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis


Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836


There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron


A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
~Walter Scott


Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder


May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown


I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens


Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas


Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ~Washington Irving


Isn't it funny that at Christmas something in you gets so lonely for - I don't know what exactly, but it's something that you don't mind so much not having at other times. ~Kate L. Bosher


Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley


It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis


For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home. ~W.J. Ronald Tucker


Even as an adult I find it difficult to sleep on Christmas Eve. Yuletide excitement is a potent caffeine, no matter your age. ~Carrie Latet


Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. ~Richard Lamm


Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love! ~Hamilton Wright Mabie


Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby


Christmas is forever, not for just one day,
for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away
like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do yourself...
~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

National Children's Memorial Day.

Sunday, December 14, 2008 is National Children's Memorial Day.


Some examples of MISS Foundation chapters that are holding ceremonies are listed below.


Please contact your local MISS Foundation chapter or TCF in your area:


I have attended the MISS Foundation Memorial here in Phoenix for the last six years,What a wonderful program Dr.Cacciatore and Staff provide, This wonderful organization has really has had a lot of influence on the daily struggles of grief I have. So if you have an angel like I do ,then please attend this wonderful ceremony


Phoenix, AZ- Sunday Dec. 14 from 6:30-9:00 PM
Unity of Phoenix
1500 E Greenway Pkwy
Phoenix, AZ 85022
Candles and refreshment provided
For more information contact info@missfoundation.org

San Antonio, TX – Dec. 14 from 7-9 PM
St. Andrews
16320 Huebner Road
San Antonio, TX 78248
(upstairs, second floor)
Contact: Jennifer Soos, 210-487-0367
jennifersoos@missfoundation.org

Los Angeles, CA- Details TBD
Contact: Sari Edber
sari@missfoundation.org

Alexandria, Minnesota
NCMD candlelight service at First Congregational Church starting at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Trina Charles: misscody98@yahoo.com

Washington DC – Metro Area
Memorial Candle Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 14, 2008
7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Wesley United Methodist Church
8412 Richmond Avenue
Alexandria, VA
Please RSVP by December 3 to tara@missfoundation.org