Joanne,
I am so sorry to hear about your
loss. Words can’t express my sorrow. You,
Joelle and Laura were always in our thoughts and payers –
hoping for a miracle. We now pray to Laura for a heaven filled with
peace and love and no pain. Our thoughts are with you and we pray for
you each and every day.
All our love,
Andrea Ellen and Brian Keigan and
family
xoxoxoxoxoxo
1/28/03
An interesting link.
http://www.geocities.com/angelzluver/Angelzluver.html?1043547031310
1/27/03
Dear Joanne,
It is with awe that I read Laura's web page, such a courageous young
lady! You did a wonderful job Mom. I think of you and Joelle often and
send prayers to you both. May the Blessing of our Lord be of comfort to
you.
With love, Leslee
1/23/03
Dear Joanne,
I am not a computer freak at all. I am hands on. But I check your
website everyday and read your emails that you have received. It is in
creditable what I have read. If my sister in law thinks you are amazing
I know you are because she is the most wonderful person I know. I wish
I could do something to comfort you at such a difficult time, I know it
would make me feel better if I did something worth while. As i told
Joelle I will donate toys to the hospital but I also always wanted to do
volunteer work so if you have something I could do for your family
please let me know because I would love to do that.
As always my thoughts are with you and your family.
With Warm Affection,
Stacey Armston
Robin Salerno Sister in law
1/22/03
Joanne: The collage of pictures are beautiful. How touching and
thoughtful for you to share them with everyone. Thank you. Love you,
Donna xxxooo
1/22/03
I just wanted to let you know that I always think about you and Joelle.
Laura was such an amazing person and she will never be forgotten. I wish
that we had done some things together. We always talked about getting
together and doing things...but by the time we were planning on it, it
was too late. I always told her that when i got my license then I'm
going to pick her up and we were gonna go have a girls day out. When i
got my license she was in the hospital by then...i figured that when she
got out we can cruise around. We would talk about it a lot. She was
always saying how she can't wait until she can drive her convertible and
she was so excited for it. That is one of the very first thing that she
said to me when we started talking. I wish we could have done those
things with each other, but I am glad that i got to talk to Laura all
the time and meet such a wonderful and strong person. But the one time I
met her I will never forget. It was the night that she sang at her
chorus concert. I came to it and i met her there. She sang the song
"There You'll Be" and dedicated it to Nikki. She sang it so beautifully
with no sign of nervousness at all. When she was singing she brought
tears to my eyes...it made me think about Nikki so much and reminded me
how much i miss her. I now know that Laura will always be a part of me
because I know that she is with Nikki now and she is watching over us. I
have two beautiful guardian angels over me and i know i will be safe.
Laura will never be forgotten and I am so happy to have met such a
wonderful person. Laura will always be in my heart. Stay strong.....take
care ~Tracy Riedl
~I was looking over Nikkis website and I found this song on it that
someone put there....I read it and downloaded it and i listen to it all
the time...the words are so meaningful...
They gave you a corner room on the fifth floor
The city lights were like candy to a kid in a store
Like a king you'd lay in your bed so statefully
So thankful they gave you a room with scenery
You always were so healthy, so full of life
So seeing you so helpless just didn't seem right
And how you kept your head so high I'll never know
I guess you knew you had a better place to go
CHORUS
Now you've got a room with a view
A window to the world
You always had your sights set high
And now that you're gone
Your memory lives on
And I see you smiling in my mind
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view
I'll always miss you
I'll always feel the loss
I have to remind myself that you're better off
I gotta believe even through these tears of mine
Wherever you are there's a sun that always shines
CHORUS
With angels as visitors dropping by
Your room with a view
"Room With A View" - Carolyn Dawn Johnson
1/22/03
Dear Joanne,
You and Joelle are so wonderful! and are so special to feel Laura
around you! That is so beautiful! Don't let that go. Truth is that we
are all together anyway, it is just matter that is different. To feel
each other's presence we simply need to think of each other with our
purest hearts and we are always with each other.
We continue to think of you all and pray for you and Joelle to be
okay.
Lots of love
Sushma
1/22/03
Dear Ms. Santiago,
My name is Liz. You don't know who I am nor do I know you. Somehow I
ended up on Laura's website. What a wonderful family you have! I took
the time to read Laura's entries, and how she faught until she got her
wings. Your strength as a Mom inspires me! I'm a mother of a 5 year old
little girl, and I don't know if I would be able to have your strength!
You seem to be a wonderful person with a wonderful family!
Even though I do not know you, your family is my prayers. Keep the
faith!
Liz
1/21/03
Ms. Santiago,,
It was in Paris when Laura passed.
I thought about her the entire trip and am so lucky to have had her in
my life. She was such a bright spot in my day when we painted together.
Knowing her makes me a better person.
My deepest sympathy.
Kevin Rice
1/21/03
Words can't explain how I feel .........I just want you to know that
we are here if you need anything...I hope to see you soon ! cuz,
joey o and family
1/21/03
Dr. Santiago, I have started pennies from heaven at a couple places in
Newport. I am not exactly sure what to do with the donations. If you
have a chance just let me know. Maybe I should give them to my mom?
Remember your invitation to Newport is always open.
Thanks,
Gina
1/20/03
Dear Joanne and Joelle,
We just wanted to let the two of you, and everyone who donated food
for the gathering following Laura's funeral, to know how much the men of
the Immaculate Conception shelter appreciated all the food that was left
and taken to them. We had only just heard that the cooks had cancelled
for the Jan. 9 date, when Catherine called and said, "We're expecting
hundreds of people, but the shelter can have any leftover food". Phew.
Panic turned to faith that there would be enough and we knew that there
was more than coincidence at work here.
On that cold Thursday night, 125 homeless men had a bountiful,
home-cooked meal and the only "complaint" was from a man who said, "I
think you are trying to get us to burst!" We knew Laura was laughing
along with us. The staff agreed that the next day they would "open for
lunch" as there were still loads of sandwiches left when dinner was
over.
We thank you for thinking of the men at "the Mac" ...and for
raising the type of daughters, and having the type of friends, who would
be glad you did. K and M
1/18/03
Thanks for sharing - it is a great
way towards healing for you both
Love
Alastair
1/18/03
Hi Joanne,
I am glad you are taking some special time for you and Joelle.
The shock of what has happened over the past two years will begin to
seep into your life a bit more, and you will feel like a walking
zombie sometimes. Post traumatic stress syndrome is very real here. I
often feel like a war vet who is having trouble readjusting to life as
it goes on in the "real world". If I am somewhere where I can talk
about Nikki, friends who still want to share about her life, then I am
ok, because there is a vital connection, but when I go places where no
one knows or doesn't seem to acknowledge what has happened then I feel
lost...I don't mean that I always want to talk about Nikki, but when I
see everyone else's life going on as if nothing happened, it can be
very hard.
Laura & Joelle's pennies from Heaven is such a beautiful and
simple idea....After what we have been through we need to create
something to honor our special girls and to do what they wanted by
helping others. It has helped me to have 'Something' to pour my energy
into.... I can see "Pennies from heaven blossoming like "Pay it
Forward"! I have a big, clear plastic animal cracker bear in my
office where I am putting all my pennies and will ask the principle if
we can either have the kids and/or teachers add to it. Debbie Bowie
is planning on starting something in Iowa. It touches my heart to
know that your beautiful daughters took their love for each other and
are sharing it in their goodwill to others.....but I know they learned
it from a very special mother indeed, and I know that Laura and Joelle
have always been loving, caring and giving girls. Laura lives on
....she has touched so, so many people. I can just feel that ray of
light in the chapel, and yes, I agree she is there with you. You will
feel her.
I know that Laura gave you
strength to go through her ordeal,
and that she will continue to forever.....but its so very hard......I
love you guys! Gail
1/18/03
Hello lovely ladies,
Just a note to say we are thinking of you constantly and hoping
that you are healing by the moment. As always, thank you too for
sharing your thoughts and opening your hearts to us through your
journal. It seems intrusive to call you, so seeing your entries is
comforting to us. WE love you both!
I have been trying to contain my excitement as Laura and Joelle's
Pennies from Heaven idea has surely not just caught on around
here...it's on fire! I had a difficult time talking about Laura to my
classes last Sunday, as they had been following her story closely, but
the best thing came out of that pain! ALL the children got so excited
about Laura and Joelle's great idea for the pennies! They immediately
began plans for a penny "WAR" in the religious school. Each class will
have the opportunity to fill jars with pennies. There is a penalty for
having other types of coins or paper money in your jar, so they add
quarters, dimes, nickels and currency in to throw each other out of
the competition....Okay, I may not be explaining it with the
enthusiasm they displayed...but it sounds like fun and effective!
Additionally, we are setting up a collection jar for those who wish to
give pennies (or more) near the sanctuary. Out Social Action Committee
has agreed to help us make it happen and I am writing a piece for the
Temple newspaper. We will do this for the entire
month of February. Some of the children are planning to collect at
their schools (and they come from all over the area) and some are
planning neighborhood (adult supervised) events to get those
pennies!!! My place of employment has started a hefty collection and
has asked that I place a
collection bucket out for clients to participate. We've only just
begun! I have to confess that this week I spotted some large, clear
plastic, empty pretzel jars in recycle bins on trash day. Yes, I did
stop and grab them up for our pennies:-)
I can't wait to share news with you and Joelle about this
"snowballing" copper craze! And please ask Joelle if she has any
suggestions or requests for us. We could really use her creative ideas
and help, if she gets the urge. She can call me or send along an
email. THANK you Laura and Joelle for thinking of a way to let us help
someone while we feel Laura all around us. The only 2 things I am
concerned about are
a) What happens when we lift those heavy bags and jugs of pennies and
throw our
old backs out of alignment? (Just kidding) and
b) Does anybody know what bank will take unwrapped pennies and run
them through the machine for all us over achievers? If you do could
you please email me at mommybt@attbi.com. Years ago, it was a service
banks provided for free (no longer the case I would guess) and we
surely do not want to give up a percentage of these pennies to a
grocery store machine, so please let me know. Okay I went on
forever, but one more thing. On Weds. I gave platelets at the CT. Red
Cross in memory and honor of Laura. As I was leaving the donor area, I
pulled my keys out of my coat pocket and a penny fell to the floor and
rolled toward the checkout counter. I bent down to pick it up and
stood to wait for someone to schedule my next donation. On the counter
where I waited were date book planners for people to take and I
flipped the cover open to check it out. How remarkable that Laura's
beautiful face was looking right back at me and how
amazing that her penny had taken me to just the right place! I am so
grateful to have been blessed with Angel Laura's special signs and
Santiago love!
Bless you and everyone!
Wendy
1/18/03
Dear Joanne,
Just wanted to send along our love, prayers and thanks for so
generously continuing to share your journey. I'm not sure how we
would all manage without being able to "check" Laura's web site! It
has been such an important part of what we do each day. I also think
that we all are comforted by the beautiful out-pouring of love and
support. When you think of over 36,500 times that people have
"checked in" on your family it really is AMAZING!! That's "a lot
of love!"
I think "Laura's Pennies from Heaven" is a wonderful (and beautiful)
idea...and I think it's "gonna be big!! Remember all of us who are
are ready to do anything for you and
Joelle. Love and
prayers,
Mary &
Ken
1/18/03
Hi
Joanne,
I had been doing something that I was I had hoped would be neat. I
have been growing my hair long to be able to then cut it and give to
Locks of Love for it to be made into a wig for kids under 18 who have
cancer. I had hoped that I would be able to give it to Laura for her
to send with me to help other kids. I have now cut off 10" in her
honor and memory and will be sending it to them this week.
Love, Pam
1/18/03
Hello Dr Santiago. I just wanted
to drop a note to say hi. I think of you and Joelle daily. I'm so
glad to have met you the other day. I hope all is going well!
I started my own penny jar the
other day. It's amazing that something so small can add up to
something that means so much. Just in my room I had a dollar!
Say hi to Joelle for me,
Torie Eells
1/18/03
JOANNE: I CANNOT BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW INCREDIBLE IT HAS BEEN SINCE
Laura DIED: DOMENIC AND I BOTH HAVE FOUND SO MANY PENNIES IN SO MANY
ODD PLACES. ON 1/4/03 ALEXA FOUND 75 PENNIES IN THE MOST UNUSUAL
PLACES. EVERY TIME I FIND ONE I SMILE; EVERY TIME DOMENIC FINDS ONE, I
LET HIM KNOW IT IS FROM LAURA. SHE IS JUST REASSURING US THAT SHE IS
HERE, WITH US. i FIND A SENSE OF COMFORT FROM THEM. AT THE RATE WE ARE
GOING, THE FIRST $100.00 FROM OUR JAR WILL BE COLLECTED BEFORE WE KNOW
IT!
OUR LOVE TO BOTH YOU AND JOELLE. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
ALWAYS. LOVE, DONNA XXXOOO
1/17/03
Dear Joanne, this
is the hardest letter I have every written.....I think of you daily
....many times each day! I received notice of Laura's death when we were
in Ocala visiting Craig's brother. I so wanted to get on a plane but I
knew I was right were I needed to be and that you may need my support
more at a later time. Thank you so very much for posting your letter
describing the last week.....I smiled through my tears. We are all
richer for knowing and loving you all. Because of your willingness to
share Laura's Journey with us, I don't think I will ever look at life or
a penny in quite the same way. I can only imagine the awry of emotions
that you experience each day but one thing that you can depend upon is
that you are never alone....prayers and love surround you continually.
With all my love, Nancy
1/16/03
Joanne,
I was recently on the St. Ann's Home page and saw the link to your
daughters web site. I took some time while my two girls are sleeping to
read so many wonderful things about your daughter.
You are truly blessed to have a daughter that performed so many
wonderful things prior to her passing. In return, I feel blessed to
have spent some time learning about your daughter and the beautiful
letter you wrote on her home page.
I truly believe that God does not give us a heavier cross than we can
carry, but you truly have carried your cross, and continue to carry it
and become a stronger person.
Your strength, and faith beliefs will carry you through the difficult
times.
May God Bless you and your daughter and always remember that Laura will
be your guiding angel from heaven.
Regards,
Joan D.
1/16/03
Joanne and Joelle,
Please accept my condolences on losing a very special member of
your family. I want you to know that you are in my prayers and I will
have the priests here
offer up mass for your family. I am sorry, she was (and still is!!!) a
very nice girl from what I remember from when we were in Rome together.
I'm sure she is
beholding the Adorable Face of Jesus and interceding for you and getting
graces for you to be strong or to finally let go because I can only
imagine that you probably had to be strong for her. Now she is in
heaven and she has enough strength for you. (I hope I'm writing the
right things, I don't want to offend.) I hope you find healing now
knowing that Laura is with The Lord.
Love,
Eric
1/15/03
Hello Joanne, I recently learned of the passing of your beautiful
daughter, Laura. I'd like to express my deepest sympathy to both you
and Joelle.
I'm attending a benefit next weekend for a father (my daughter's
friend's father) who was in a terrible accident last October. He is
recovering, slowly, but as you know, the medical (and other) expenses
are enormous. The benefit is to help the family.
I was speaking with another mother about the event telling her about
Laura's pennies from heaven. As we enter the Wallingford YMCA, there
was Laura's face on
an American Red Cross poster .. about giving blood. I think it was your
daughters way of saying "thank you" for helping another when in need!
My children and I have started our own "pennies from heaven" jar. Once
we reach $100, we will give that money to someone .. someone, for
whatever reason, who
needs that money!
I regret not being able to come to the benefit in NJ. I would love to
see you, Alba and your brother Jim. I did, however, send a gift to the
appropriate party.
Please know, Joanne, that you and Joelle are in my thoughts and heart
during this time of loss.
Lisa Swanson .. aka Lisa Lytec
DataControl, Lytec Medical
1/13/03
I was absolutely shocked to see the update.
I am so sorry - what a beautiful and inspiring young lady.
Please extend our deepest condolences to the family from everyone at
Smile
Quilts.
Chris