12/18/02
Hi Joanne -

Just a little note to let you know we are all praying for Laura.  I know things are bad and we pray for her comfort and rest.  You take care and stay well
Jacci

12/18/02

We're praying hard for Laura, you and Joelle. Please give Laura a great big kiss and hug from the Bonners, tell her we love her. God bless you.
Don

12/18/02

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you and hope Laura has some comfort.  God Bless

Jacci

12/18/02

Dear Joanne,

I pray constantly for Laura and you and Joelle.  You are in my thoughts always.  Just keep praying. No matter what
it looks like to us God is always present and He loves us.  Ask for His mercy!  Ask for the intercession of the Blessed
Mother and the Communion of Saints.

Love,

Mary

12/18/02

Dear Joanne,

Unceasing prayers are being said for Laura...by me and many members of our Church.  I pray that you and Laura feel the love from those prayers and receive strength from them.

Remember God's words to Abraham:  "Do not be afraid, for I am with you." (Genesis 26:24)  I used to imagine Jesus holding me in His arms and rocking me in a rocking chair.  It helped bring me peace through all the pain.

Tell Laura I love her so much, and I know Jesus, Mother Mary and all God's angels will take care of her.

God's grace and mercy be with you,
Kathryn

12/18/02

Dear Joanne,

I'm so sorry that Laura is not good now.  It must be such a comfort to her to have you there, and Joelle, also,  when she can come.  I will keep praying for all of you.

Love,
Judy Tranchida

12/18/02

Dear Joanne,
I was with Jan Polesel last night and she shared the latest news with me.  I want you to know that I continue to hold all of you in my prayers.  If there is anything I can do to help you,  please don't
hesitate to ask.
My love to you, Laura, and Joelle.
Jackie

12/17/02

I am praying for every kind of miracle for my Santiago family.  Sometimes God's miracles are not the ones we think about.  I am here.  Tell me what I can do.
Love, Leslie

12/13/02
  Joanne, Prayers to Mother Teresa it is! You continue to be in my daily prayers and thoughts. Love to all,  Laurie

12/13/02
Joanne -
    I pray for all of you daily and I know things are very difficult now.  laura is one remarkable young lady and she has endeared herself in so many hearts....    We only wish for a Christmas miracle.....  Please give her big Italian hugs from me and I send purple prayers out to all.

12/11/02
Joanne,
     I just saw on EWTN that The Cause for Canonization for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is open, and that Mother Teresa will be Beatified in May of 2003!  Let's ask
these soon to be saints for their required miracles to become saints!  Let's all focus on one of them so we can direct our prayers!  Please pass this on and get a
whole army of Pray-ers to storm Heaven for a miracle.
Joanne, you and your family should decide who we should ask for the miracle and we will all follow your lead!!!
                                              Love,
                                              Eric

Webmaster Note: Joanne's choice is Mother Teresa

12/11/02

12/11/02

Consider it done!  We will are be praying to Mother Teresa for Laura.  As you know you are in our daily prays (morning and night) and  always in our thoughts.  Audrey especially continues to ask what news I have regarding Laura.  Praying makes me feel closer to you.  My love & Prayers, Dorothy

12/11/02

May all your wishes come true...
thanks for sharing... 
it is done.
 

12/11/02

Hi Joanne - you all are in my thoughts and prayers daily!!!  I will most certainly begin petitioning Mother Theresa for this miracle!!!!!!!!!!  I hope you are holding up ok.  I wish I had words to inspire you, help you along - I feel so inadequate and helpless - please know I am here to help in any way I can.  Peace and blessings to you and Laura and Joelle as well as the entire medical team working for you all.

Love,

Gina

12/11/02

Joanne,
I will tell everyone!!!  And I mean everyone!!!
Perryville and Perry County is about 85% Catholic!!!
                                                  
Love,
                                                    Eric

12/11/02

12/5/02

12/3/02
  Dear Family & Friends: As you are all well aware, our dear Laura Santiago has been fighting a courageous battle with Lymphoma and Leukemia.  Laura was recently admitted to Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center in NYC.  She is receiving a new chemotherapy agent and has just completed her second round.  She is a person of great will and hope.  I ask you again, to please keep Laura, Joanne and Joelle in your prayers.  Due to the nature of the beast, Laura is in continual need of whole blood and platelets.  She is A+ blood type.  The spirit of giving is upon us.  If you are the same type and/or a universal donor I ask you to consider making a donation.  Please call the MSKCC direct donation blood donor program at 212 639-7643 to make a direct donation to Laura.  Be a "blood sister or blood brother" of Laura's.  The hours are quite flexible and they are open 7 days a week and some evenings.  I found that Sunday mornings are great.  I would be more than willing to take anyone in to donate. Whole blood can be donated every 56 days while platelets can be donated every 72 HOURS.  Please call me if you have any questions concerning donation or call the above number.  There is a small criteria to be met and I/they can certainly go over it on the phone so that you do not have to make the trip unnecessarily.  SOOO, if you are going in to see the tree or do some holiday shopping, consider a small pit stop on 1250 First Avenue (between 67th & 68thst).  Just think, you can be a part of Laura's recovery!  Blessed Thanksgiving to all, Love, Donna  732-974-1254   

12/3/02

Just a little note to send a big hug and kiss to you and Laura. I pray to God for you all everyday. Joelle look so pretty. She is a beautiful young lady. God bless all of you I love you Jolie

11/29/02
  Hi Joanne, Just wanted you and the girls to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers today, and although you can't be here with us, we feel you all here in spirit.  We hope the day is comfortable for Laura, comforting for Joelle, and a loving time for you to be with both your girls.  Love to all, Marianne & Co.

11/29/02
Hi, just thinking about you and I wanted to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I hope you are all together and enjoy the day!

Please send my very best wishes to the young ladies!

Love, Anne

11/29/02
JoAnne, Laura & Joelle

Thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. I hope you are all together for the holiday and you can enjoy the day and the time together.

Peace and love be with you.

Karen K.

11/29/02

11/29/02

We hope that Laura's pain is better and that you are all recovering from that. Enjoy the time with your family on Thanksgiving. We're all thinking of you.
The Custers

11/29/02

Joanne,  I am still following your journey and continue to pray for you, Laura, and Joelle.  You are truly amazing!  Enjoy your Thanksgiving.  Love to all, Laurie

11/24/02
My heart goes out to you ... and you all are always in my prayers!!!!
XOXOXOX
Beth

11/24/02

11/22/02

11/22/02

hi Joanne - so glad I had the chance to see you and Laura on Saturday.   despite all
she has been thru Laura looks good.   its her coloring that gives her a glow.   it was
nice to see Mona again also and to meet her daughter.   I will try to get in every couple of weeks.  please call me if there is anything I can do to help you or the girls.
I am under 2 hrs. away.  it would be my pleasure.   see you soon. and as always, you are all in my thoughts and prayers.    Jackie g.

11/15/02
Hi Joanne,

I just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and praying for
Laura's recovery. I hope you are comfortable at the Roland McDonald house
and that Joelle is doing well.

Sending good thoughts your way!

Nancy

11/12/02
Greeting from Amston.  Hope NYC is treating you well.  The Christmas lights should start to go up soon and make the city spectacular.  Joelle is getting to experience so many great things despite all this difficulty.  I was with the great Mrs. G thurs. night Nikki got inducted into the National Honor Society and it was a very special night.  Thoughts of Laura and you were also in our minds and hearts.  Hang tough and remember the whole CT team is here.  Love the crazy tutor

11/9/02
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Visit our website at http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/thompsonbrook/ for more information.

11/9/02

Most women become a mother by accident, some by choice, a few by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with cancer are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over the earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger...

"Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew."
"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia"
"Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it."

"I watched her today," said God. "She has that feeling of self-independence that is so rare and necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she believes in you," said the angel. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods, "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles and says,..."A mirror will suffice."

author unknown

11/9/02

Just letting you know you are all in our prayers and thoughts.  Love and hugs to Laura

Jacci

11/9/02

My cousin sent me this and I thought of you.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Lord, I love You and I need You. Come into my heart today. For without You I can do nothing.

God will either lighten your load or He will strengthen your back.

11/9/02

Christina Bill is here at GEEPERS and we are thinking of you guys.
Hope all is well
Stephanie mailed Laura a letter at the Ronald McDonald house.
Eating french fries every day.
Missing you
Love, \
Christina and Mary

11/9/02

Dear Joanne,

Our hearts and thoughts are with you.  Wishing you and Laura and Joelle
the best!!!!

Love, Mary, Anthony, and Evan

11/9/02

Good Morning.  It is a beautiful sunny day in Seneca Falls. Hope it is just
as nice in New York City which will help your adjustment. Wishing you all
well and continued prayers. Love, Laurie

11/5/02
Just checking in to let you know that I'm still sending Prayers. Laura is in my thoughts everyday.

Karen K.

11/5/02

11/5/02

Dear Joanne,
Sounds like your daughter's indominable spirit leads you all forward.
God bless each and every one of you. Laura will teach them a thing or two at SK I'm sure.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sharon

Greetings from the Mary's and Christine at CCMC.  We've been following along on the web site and hope all is going well in New York.  We will continue to send along our good thoughts and best wishes.  Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.  
Sending smiles your way,
Mary B., Mary L., Christine

11/5/02
Hi aunt Jo ... happy belated Halloween...I wanted to visit, but I still have a cough...so I don't think it's wise....i hope your settling in, if you need anything leave a message at home...tell Laura I send my love and prayers....and maybe one day on a weekend I can take Joelle to a movie in the city...I know a nice theater on 23rd St...it's huge and very modern...well I have to go to work now...I Love You.
Love,
JD

11/5/02
Joanne, I'm so hopeful. I'm so proud of Laura and Joelle. This is a positive thing. Laura IS going to make it. There are so many good thoughts and prayers directed towards her. And, yes, the yard looks great. Love you all

11/5/02
Thanks, Joanne, for your e-mail. I admire how your family is handling more adjustments. Today is ALL SAINTS DAY as you know, and when I go to St. Ann's tonight and hear the 3rd graders presenting the lives of the their particular saints, I will be thinking of Laura.  She is already a saint in my book!  Take care. Love, Jane Ellen

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