WHAT LOVE IS and The Christmas Bear (tissue alert)

[Dan Murphy]

I noticed DIS'er, rae519, post on the CB yesterday with a question. Her name was new to me and, after doing a search, I saw Rae visited the DIS planning boards and cruise board and, though not really new to the DIS, she was new to the CB. I could not help but notice the picture of the young child, Kayla Renee, with the words, Our little angel, as a link in Rae's signature. Rae's profile (you can click on profile link and then her last post to go to a post from her to see)

The link was not working yesterday so I sent a pm to Rae asking about Kayla (already having some idea of the answers). Rae got back to me today and told me a bit about Kayla and her gift of love. Rae also said the link was now working. This is the link which should be working, it is really worth a look...Kayla Renee Reichert 2-19-87 - 7-13-94

Today, Kayla lives on in eight other humans.

Rae has a poem which she composed after Kayla passed away, and I asked her if I could have her permission to post it on the DIS/CB, even though it was on the web site. She said it would be fine to share, hoping maybe some of the message carries on. I think it some of the nicest words of love I have ever read. It is copyrighted.

<center>WHAT LOVE IS

by Rae Ann Reichert

My mother held me in her arms and dried my tears.
I was a baby and I thought I knew what love was.

My new puppy licked my face and wagged his tail.
I was a child and I thought I knew what love was.

Johnny slow-danced with me to "Get Together" by the Youngbloods.
I was a teenager and I thought I knew what love was.

My father posed proudly beside me as I held my diploma.
I was a graduate and I thought I knew what love was.

Tom pledged his love to me and I gave my love to him.
I was a bride and I thought I knew what love was.

Our infant son smiled at me when I sang to him.
I was a young mother and I thought I knew what love was.

Our adopted baby girl was placed in our arms.
I was older and I thought I knew what love was.

For seven years our children's laughter rang through our home.
I was middle-aged and I thought I knew what love was.

I looked into her face when God called her back home and
I held her hand to say good-bye.
I lost my little girl and I thought I forgot what love was.

But eight lives were changed,
eight people were given a second chance to live
because we donated our daughter's organs.

Now I know what love is.


Copyright 1995, Rae Ann Reichert. All rights reserved.
</center>



Also, Kayla Renee composed a poem herself, the year before she died, and it too is beautiful. Rae said I could also post this. Again, so very beautiful.




<center>The Christmas Bear

An original story by Kayla R. Reichert, age 6 yrs
(December 1993)

For days, all she heard was,
"Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming!"
There was so much excitement in the forest!
Little Bear didn't know what Christmas was,
so she went around the woods asking the other animals.
"It's presents! It's sweets! It's games!"
She heard so many answers but none seemed to be the right one.
Finally, she went back to her home and saw her mother,
her father and her big brother bear and she smiled!
"Now I know what Christmas is! It's not presents or sweets or games!
It's being together! It's a family!"
</center>


Thank you, Rae, for once again sharing Kayla Renee's love.

 

[Serena]

I'm speechless.

 

[mickey65]

That is just beautiful. Thank you Dan for bringing to our attention something we otherwise may of missed.

 

[helenabear]

I went to her website earlier today... put me in tears then as well as now.

 

[Dream]

How can life stink and be beautiful at the same time? Thanks Dan for the link. Thanks rae519 for the message and for sharing your beautiful daughter with us.

Thank you Dan for the tissue alert.

 

[luvtogo12]

I am speechless as well. Dan, thank you for bringing this to our attention.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

That was beautiful, thanks for sharing such a touching poem and story. And yes, I write this through tears.

 

[binny]

Thank you for thinking of others in your time of loss
May God richly bless you always.

 

[Serena]

bump

 

[KimRaye]

Well deserved 'tissue alert' Dan.

Sad, happy and, oh so bittersweet.

{{HUGS}} & sympathy for rae519.

Thanks for sharing this Dan.

 

[Credit Man]

The human spirt is an awesome thing. How beautiful and sad.

 

[kinlaw6450]

I have chills running all through me. Thank you Dan for posting that.

 

[DVCajun]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[honeywolf7]

Wow!

 

[CRB#33]

Oh my.

I've seen her posts many times on the cruise board, but I never noticed the link.

How beautiful, how tragic, how inspirational.