Celebration of Life... Third ceremony will be held in Chattanooga TN (April 2008) in memory of loved ones around the world. Their precious memories are blessed gifts to be shared.
The Celebration of Life website and memorial ceremony were created after my only children, Michele Wade and J.J. Wade, died in 2004...four months apart. Their websites....
Thank you for visiting the Celebration of Life website.... please take a few minutes and leave a message in the guest book
Healing, Encouraging, And Remembering Together
&
Surviving Our Unimaginable Losses
******************************* Washington DC presentation on April 15, 2008
I'm Diane Craddock, a 54 year old grandmother from Carrsville Virginia that became a kinship caregiver in February 1996. We gained custody of two young grandsons (my son's children....ages 3 and 4), thinking it would be a temporary situation. The struggles were tremendous for us when we should be enjoying a calm quiet home after our own children grew up and moved out. The financial, physical, and emotional roller coaster for the next eight was overwhelming.... never realizing how much more difficult it could get.
Four years ago my only son (31 years old) two boys (ages 10 & 11 at this time) were further traumatized by finding him dead. My only daughter (27 years old) moved in to help with his grief stricken boys, never imagining that three and half months later she would be killed instantly when an irresponsible driver crossed the centerline. Her youngest child (a3 year old son....one of four children) received a trauma brain injury in the crash. We now had custody of three children; two emotionally disturbed and one physically injuried.
We found out first hand, much needed weekly outpatient counseling sessions (with Medicaid) are only available for the first year, the following years the minor children are only allowed 26 weeks. Unlike foster care parents, we were not provided the opportunity to receive respite care services. Due to the emotional turmoil, continuous stress, and added financial burdens my husband (of ten years) and I separated Thanksgiving 2006 which contributed to another form of loss for our fragile family.
It is important to focus on prevention vs. removal to reduce long range cost and further trauma for the children. Unfortunately, in February 2007 I had to sign legal papers and transfer custody of my son's youngest child to Virginia Department of Social Services....to protect him and provide the extensive care mental health care he needed. It broke my heart to have to sign the medically needed paperwork but he continually wanted to hurt himself and others. In the first seven months he was placed in foster family homes (three overall). When he misbehaved they took away his right to talk to his remaining family members. Being placed in foster homes contributed to setbacks for him...emotionally feeling he had lost everything and had nothing to look forward to, he continued to regress. In October 2007, the Department of Social Services moved him to a hospital six hours from our home. Last month Jamie turned 15 years old in Keystone Marion Youth Center for emotionally disturbed children. We make a trip to see him a minimum of one time per month and the trip is emotionally and physically draining for us (Brandon... Jamie's 16 year brother... and myself).
Foster care is an important part of society but should come after kinship caregivers.....all children should have the right to their family connections. Everyone needs to ALWAYS consider family first and allow kinship caregivers and their minor children the same benefits, rights, and dignity as foster care and their foster children. Remember first and foremost "the best interest of the child" should be everyone's top priority.
CHILDREN WILL NEVER AGE OUT OF BEING FAMILY!!! Take time to imagine the unimaginable... tomorrow it could be your grandchild.
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List for April 2008 Celebration of Life (will be combined with 2005 & 2006 lists) If you want to include a loved one (that is not on either list) contact me by email ( angelsarms2004@verizon.net ) or post a message here on the website (with your return email address) and I will get in touch with you
Amelia Williams Ben "Doodle Bug" Wade, Jr. Betty Lou Whitehead Clyde Williams Hunter Kirkland Jennifer Metcalf JoAnne Gardner Margaret Williams Otis "Odie" Thomas Deziel, Jr. Shirley Wynn Zola Brink
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2006 Celebration of Life (combined with 2005 list) Second annual ceremony was held December 31, 2006 in Franklin VA.
Allison Beth Murphy Andrew "Little" Aguilar Bertha H. Johnson Betty Carnes Blake Lindsey Brandi Nicole Ward Braydon Allen Fredrick Bryan Kiser Carl Flanery Cary John Walker Chandler Michael Bailey-Schleier Chase Rumachik Cody Joe Wade Danielle Marie Plourde Darien Wilson Donna Lynn Wade Elliot Joseph Matos, Jr. Elmer Robinson Emilio Garcia (unborn son of Emily) Emily Jeanette Garcia Gregory V. Watts Heidi Allyn Reed Helen Cannon Newsome Hunter Baker Jacob Tyler Hutcheson Jason Daniel Cirafisi Jason Lancing Kelley Jean Sturgis Jennifer Carol Lee Jerry "Grant" Lewis Jesse Alan Lockamy Jesse Gochez Jessica LeAnn Williams Jim Keaton Joshua Raymond Walker Kelly Louise Larivee Kevin Wayne Bledsoe Kristin J. Gillis Larry "Bubba" Benis Lisa Mewbourne Lucas Ray Fredrick Luke Patterson Matthew "Muscles" Aguilar Michael Caudill Michael R. Lutek, Jr. Michelle Marie Greever Michelle Stanton Turner Mickey Lane Pitts, Jr. Nathan Manz Nia Kai'Rae Thompson Paul Schumacher Phillip Finney Ray Fitzer Rhonda Rae Gibbens Ryan Matthew Gibbens Sandi Cobb Shane Andrew Reardon Sharlene Marie Orrvick Shawn Michael Walker Shelia Faye Wade Tracey Sloane Sheridan Travis Scott Axley Zachary Garrett Wright
HEART & SOUL
Healing moment-by-moment when we Encourage another grieving person As our loved ones are on our minds Remembering their precious memories Together while sharing our tears
Surviving the death of our children Our loved ones have gone too soon Unimaginable pain and heartache of Losses so dear to our heart and soul
Faith, Family, and Friends Dedicated to beloved angels around the world
Always remember to extend a caring hand To the grieving loved ones around our land Take time to cry, laugh, or reminisce with them And realize they will forever need a true friend
Angels' time on earth, whether short or long Yesterday's treasured memories to us belong After they have gone to their heavenly homes Our hearts beat as one, until our time comes
God will continuously provide for you Spiritual, physical, and emotional too Strength from faith, family, and friends Provides peace and comfort until the end
The wonderful gifts the good Lord gives Sharing the lives our beloved angels lived Counting our precious blessings is easy to do When prayers to God, end with "Thank You"
Grieving Parents / Diane, Mom Of Angels JJ And Michele Wade
Every parent and child are unique, which makes each and every loss unique, so one individual can't tell another how to handle their own grieving process. Sharing our different ways of working through our personal grief, I pray each parent will be abl...
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Sending you a hug / Jane Throckmorton
Diane, just wanted to let you know that you and your Angels are still in my thoughts and prayers. 4 years now since Evan's Rebirth..I still think about him every day...I would appreciate if you would visit Evan's new site at Continue >>
lovingly / Sharon Quick (SIP)
Diane Just to let you know that I visited your loving web site.May your Angel's give you a very special ((hug)).sharon Angel Scotty's mom
thinking about you / Shirley Baer (none)
You and your angels are in my thoughts and prayers during this holiday season.
Wishing you the best / Henry
I found your webpage and Iam sorry for your loss. We lost our daughter 2 years ago and the pain today is almost as fresh as 2 years ago . I wish you all the best during this holiday season and strenght in the coming weeks
Remembering & Missing with You / Diane Feeney (friend from Groww )Read >>
http://www.angelfire-.com/poetry/memorial-pages6/hunter1.html/ Linda(HUNTER MOM FOREVER) KIRKLAND (FRIEND FROM GROWW )Read >>
http://www.angelfire-.com/poetry/memorial-pages6/hunter1.html/ Linda Kirkland (FRIEND)Read >>
The first annual ceremony was held December 31, 2005 in Franklin VA. Sharing the memories of precious loved ones (child, parent, spouse, sibling, or friend) around the world.... providing an opportunity to share some of their treasured memories from places as far away as England, Sweden, and Australia.
Adam Craig Hill Aislinn Celeste McComsey Allan Tomlin Amanda Ruth Greene Amy Lynn Hodges Amy Phelps Andrya Lianne Hobbs Anita Adams Craddock Angel Boy Rowe Angie Ann Duhon Anne Rountree Anthony Rowe April McCabe (Worth) Asher Alexandria Huminsky Ashlynn Nicole Swanner Baby Girl Beale Becky Lynn Fitzer-Groves Benjamin Sandberg Beth Nelson Blake Raymond Divido Bo Briscoe Bobbo Flynn Brandon Mobley Brandon Sharpe Breana Matthews Brenda Huisenga Brian Keith Trammell Brittanie Ann Cole Brittany Johnson Brittany Nolz Buxton Wade, Sr. C. H. Ward, Jr. Cal Bennett Cassandra Silva Chad Everett Behr Charity Nichole Williams Charlene Ross Christian "Chrissie" Victoria Carrigan Christopher Ronald Faller Christopher E. Scott Clyde W. Bolen Colin Daniel Johnston Cornelia Pitts Craig Kelly Cynthia Felton Danielle Beving Danny Biernasz David Beaulieu David Shaffer Deanne Schauer Lawrence Debbie Pelfrey Devon Schultz Diana Lacey Donna O'Clair Douglas Warren Maris Dustin Fitzer Earnest Porter Harrell, Sr. Edward St. John Emily Connelly Eric Allen Michael Burgess Eric Warren Hudson Ernestine Bowden Evan Throckmorton Eve Lyn Smith Wiedmer Geneva Elliot Geoffrey P. Edwards Gregory Dorsett Gregory Wade Murray Ira Moore JD Gortmaker J. J. Wade Jacquelin "Jackie" Bailey Jacob Ryan Castro Jake Travis Wills James D. Ludwig James H. Taylor, II James Richard Clark, Jr. Jamie Alexandra Grimsley Jamie Wade Amerson Janet Marie Hardy Jason Daniel Brink Jason Blantz Jason McDonald Jason Miller Jeff Britt Jeff Kelly Jeffrey Allen Berkheiser Jeremy Sullivan Jesse Alan Canniff Jessie Anne Amerson Jessie Robert Ellis IV Jim St. John Joe Cunningham Joey Scarpa John Joseph Mullins John S. Robertson, Jr. Johnnie A. Moore, Jr. Jonathan Adlington Joseph Angelo Schiavone Josh Coleman Joshua Allen Hurt Joshua Lynn Wade Judy St. John Justin Harres Justin Luke Scancarello Kaedin Wayne Newberry Karl Bjorklund Kathleen Mary McQuarrie Kathren "Kattie" Loren O'Connell Katrina "Noel" Burford Kattie Parker Kent Alan Lilly Kristen Michelle Frank Kristopher Kevin Doebbler Kyle Gerald Smith Lamar Blantz Laura Ann Kimble Laurie Michelle Baer Lillian Octavia Garris Lucas Geoffrey Parker Marjorie Mae Bowen Mary Wade Clements Martin E. Greene Matthew David Chaput Melissa Noelle Hanson Meshael Richardson Michael Griffith, Jr. Michael Walker Michele Shaffer Michele Wade Michelle Delre-Webster Mildred G. Etters Mike Wilkerson Mike Zollinger Minnie "Darlene" Harold York Myrtle B. Rogers Nicholas D. Floriana Nicole Spencer Ola Marie Craddock Otis Thomas Deziel, Sr. Patrick McTague Patti Lakernick Randy Reed Hecox Ray Craddock Renee Bennett Rob L. Northrop, Jr. Robert Andrew Brannan Robert F. Etters Ronald R. Brush, Jr. Roy E. Bickel, Jr. Sean Joseph Lockhart Seth Montgomery Shaun D. S. Chapman Shawn Richardson Shelly Elise Martin Sherman Bradley Stanley Johnson Stephanie Alexandra Smith Steven Biernasz Sylvia Marie Nunez Cassidy Taylor Heintzelman Terry M. Craddock, Jr. Terry M. Craddock, Sr. Tiffany Amber Wilson Tim M. Jackes Tyler Dickerson Victor Fullmer Wallace Greene Wayne Smith William Steele Bracey Wixie B. Rogers
Celebration of Life Announcement **************************************************************
Two Angels' Arms Scholarships were established at Paul D. Camp Community College, by Diane Craddock. Tax-deductible donations to support these scholarships (in memory of my children, Michele Wade and J.J. Wade) can be made payable to Paul D. Camp Community College (or PDCCC) and mailed to Dr. Patsy Joyner, PDCCC, P.O. Box 737, Franklin, VA 23851.
Dr. Patsy R. Joyner, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Paul D. Camp Community College 100 North College Drive Franklin, VA 23851 757-569-6791 FAX: 757-569-6795 pjoyner@pc.vccs.edu
First scholarships awarded in Fall 2006!!!!
Elizabeth Ongor, Smithfield VA, won JJ's Cindy Clements, Carrsville VA, won Michele's
Second scholarships awarded July 2007!!!! Stephanie Gray, Boykins VA, won Michele's Jamie Cotton, Franklin VA, won JJ's
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