I would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers
during Charlotte’s journey. We
appreciate that we have amazing family and friends and live in a wonderful
community.
Charlotte has started a new journey. Last night (Tuesday,
January 17th) just before the clock struck 10 she passed away
peacefully in our arms. She was surrounded by people who love her and was being
told about how proud we were and how much she was loved by all. She fought an
incredible battle and we take comfort in knowing that she does not have to
fight any longer. She is in heaven now, running and jumping like she has never
been able to here on earth.
A quote came to my mind as she was passing. Some wonderful
scripture? A wise mans words? No. It was from one of her favourite movies, Winnie
the Pooh. At first I thought it was something that I wanted to tell her, but
after I realized that maybe it was something she wanted to tell all of us.
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there
is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe,
stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important
thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.” ― A.A. Milne
Yolanda came and snuggled in bed with us this morning with a
fresh picture she had just drawn. It was Charlotte skipping and jumping in
heaven.
A
funeral is being planned for Monday, January 23rd for more
information please contact either First Baptist Church (250)426-4319 in
Cranbrook or Mcpherson’s Funeral Services at www.mcphersonfh.com
I am so sorry.... I cannot begin to imagine the depth of your grief and loss. I have been praying for Charlotte for many months and I will continue to praying for your beautiful family. Your strength as parents has inspired me, your courage (and of course, Charlotte's) has touched me deeply. I hope that in the days and months to come, you will find peace in the love of your family and friends. Charlotte's memory will live on forever.....
ReplyDeleteAllison, you never cease to amaze me. That was a beautiful ending to a sad tale - what a picture you painted with your words and Yolanda's art work. It is what I thought as well. You have been a model of faith through these last 2 years. I will continue to lift you up in prayer for comfort in the days ahead.
ReplyDeleteBev
Im so sorry for you loss... I've been following your updates on this blog and praying for each one of you. I'm glad to know that Charlotte is not suffuring anymore, what a courageous little girl! I'm so happy she had parents like you, who showed her all this love. Since I didn't get to know her during her short lifetime, I know I will do it in heaven. Lot's of love and hugs for you, Allison, Rob and Yolanda.. I will keep praying for you in this tough times
ReplyDeleteTatiana Amsing
I am so sorry for your loss, and thinking of Charlotte and your family through this time. I would have to say that all of you are some of the strongest people, and Charlotte was the strongest little girl in the world. Your family has truly inspired everyone that has been following Charlotte's journey. May God take care of her now without any pain, and May God give you the strength and comfort. We will all miss you and never forget you Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteDear Amsing family, I have been following your blog of Charlotte's journey for awhile now. I feel truly inspired by her, I believe our children often teach us how to live and show us what life truly is about. May you find the strength and guidance to get through the days ahead from our community your family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI would like to share with you some lyrics that are very dear to my heart from my own personal lost of someone very special to me.
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again
Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this memory bittersweet
Until we meet
Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget
Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
I am so very sorry for your loss :(
ReplyDeleteCharlotte fought a courageous battle and is an inspiration to many....I will never take anything for granted again. I am sad she had to be taken from you far too young, but find comfort knowing she is resting at peace now and in a better place.
Thinking of you all, and sending much love....
Rob, Allison and Yolanda...I am truly sorry to hear about Charlotte. I've been following your blog and have had Charlotte and your family in my thoughts and prayers for many months. She was a very courageous little girl and fought so hard, you all did, and I hope that you continue to find the strength in the days to come. Allison, thank you so very much for your updates. You amaze me! Your strength inspires me, you truly are a wonderful Mother! Rob, I see the love in every picture posted and your strength in helping Charlotte through her difficult journey. It was special for me to see your beautiful pictures. Yolanda...may you always think of the wonderful, beautiful memories of Charlotte and know that she will always be with you...you were so lucky to have each other.
ReplyDeleteCharlottes journey has inspired so many people in our community and around the world...she will never be forgotten.
May God bless you all. Much Love...
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Charlotte was a beautiful little girl. We are originally from cranbrook and have been following your blog for the last year or so. Charlottes journey encouraged me to donate blood, the only thing I could do from so far away. We will continue to pray for your beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt prayers are with your family...
ReplyDeleteSo I have heard that we are never given more than we have the capacity to handle, even if we are not aware of it at the time. You were given such a beautiful child and even though it was not enough time with her I know that her memory will thrive. Thank you for sharing Charlotte's journey with us, even at times when I am sure you wanted to lay down and weep with the overwhelming emotion. You managed to convey Charlotte's red "headedness" in so many of your posts that I can just picture her up there kicking cancer's ass and taking names later.
ReplyDeleteLooking at Yolanda's picture of Charlotte jumping and skipping through heaven makes me realize how intuitive children are. I am sure that this morning both of you needed to see that picture more than you ever knew.
Take strength in each other and in Yolanda for the coming days will be difficult but in your relationships with each other I know that you will find the strength to weather this storm. And that your new angel will be watching over you, guiding you and loving you.
Love, hope and guidance to you all as you begin this new journey in your lives and to Charlotte, help us to understand this dreadful disease that has taken you from this earth too soon and help prevent someone else from having their loved one taken from them too soon.
This was a Beautiful posting ... Thank you for writing what i was thinking also. And Thank you Rob and Allison for writing and sharing your stories of Charlotte with us all...
Deletei just know Charlotte was a brave little girl who is dancing in Heaven and smiling every day ... She is at peace now ...
Take care Amsings.,
Our hearts are broken at this news, and our prayers are with you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing Charlotte's story, even though it must have been hard at times. God bless you all.
ReplyDeleteDear Family,
ReplyDeleteYou faith is evident and I thank God for his presence in your lives. I feel such compassion for you all through this journey . I am so prayerful that peace will be yours. I am so sorry to hear of your loss... I wish words were adequate to express. sending you love and prayers.
I'm heartbroken. I'm holding back the tears from the sadness I feel for your loss. May Gods Angels surround your family and give you some rest, for your journey was hard....please be comforted knowing that you will see her again. I'm not a avid religious person, but I have experienced life changing loss and I find comfort knowing I will see them again. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteI am heartbroken for all of you. My you find strength in each others love.
ReplyDeleteThis poem has brought me comfort, tears, I hope you find something in it too.
The White Rose
All the earth's mothers were gathered together at God's Garden of flowers; those beautiful budding spirits, who would someday come to earth, were nurtured and tended in the garden.
A loving Father, spoke to the Mothers; "See the works of my hands, someday you will be the mothers to these radiant spirits." The garden glowed with the mixture of all kinds and colors. "Choose ye," he said. Now in the East corner of the garden pure white roses stood as sentinels. They were not so colorful as the rest, but glowed with a kind of purity which set them apart.
One by one mothers stepped forward. "I want the blue eyed curly haired one, who will grow to maturity and be a mother." Yet another chose a brown eyed, brown haired boy, full of life and love who would someday be a prince in a grand country. The garden buzzed with excitement as the others chose their own special spirits, those whom they would welcome into warmth and love of an earthly home.
Once again the loving Father spoke, "But who will take the white roses, the ones in the East corner of the garden? These will return to me in purity and goodness, they will not stay long in your home, and some of you may never even meet them, for I must bring them back to my Garden for they belong with me, you will miss them and long for them, but I will personally care for them."
"No not I," many said in unison. "I couldn't bear to give one back so soon." "nor I," said others. "We will take those who remain and grow to maturity and live long lives." The loving Father looked out across the multitude of mothers with a longing in his eyes for someone to step forward.
Silence!
Then he said; "See the most pure and perfect of all the white ones? I chose Him. He will go down and be a sacrifice for all mankind. He will be scorned,mocked and crucified, He is mine own. Will not anyone choose like unto Him?
A few mothers stepped forward. "Yes, Lord, I will." Then another, and another. "I as well." "Yes we will Lord." Soon all the pure white roses were taken.
The Father spoke again. "Oh blessed are you who chose the white roses, for your pain will be a heavy cross to bear, but our joy will be exceeding, beyond anything you can understand at this time."
Thoughts and prayers are with you. May you feel the love surrounding you in this time.
ReplyDeleteThough words can not bring comfort, and no one should have to experience this, may you know there are pillars of strength and love around you
Charlotte will continue to be an inspiration to so many. I am so very sorry for your loss. You are a beautiful family, and Charlotte will always be with you as you are always with her.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte has grew her wings and flew with the angels now. God Bless you sweet angel and God bless mom, dad and sister Yolanda.
ReplyDeleteThere are no words to say. Your family and Charlotte are inspirational, curageous and incredible. I have not met any of you, yet you have been in my thoughts many days. I hope that your family and Charlotte are able to find some peace. I will continue to think of you all.
ReplyDeleteWe wanted so much to keep you
ReplyDeleteWe watched you day by day.
Until with breaking hearts
We saw you slip away.
God watched you as you suffered,
And knew you had your share.
He gently closed your weary eyes,
And took you in his care.
Your memory is our keepsake,
With that we'll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
We have you in our hearts.
Nothing can be more beautiful,
than the memories we have of you.
To us you were someone special,
God must have thought so too.
Keeping you all deep in my thoughts..... May all your beautiful memories bring you some comfort at this time.
ReplyDelete"Those who weave colour into our lives leave us with a tapestry of beautiful memories."
Waterbugs and Dragonflies
ReplyDeleteDown below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.
'Look!' said one of the water bugs to another, 'One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you suppose she is going?' Up, up, up it went slowly. Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn't return. 'That's funny!' said one water bug to another. 'Wasn't she happy here?' asked a second water bug. 'Were do you suppose she went?' wondered a third. No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.
Finally one of the water bugs, the leader of the colony, gathered its friends together. 'I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where she went and why.' 'We promise', they said solemnly.
One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water, and had fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above.
When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn't believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by, the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chancd to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs!. There they were, scurrying about, just as he had been doing some time before. Then the dragonfly remembered his promise: 'The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why'.
Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly he could no longer go into the water. 'I can't return!' he said in dismay. 'At least I tried, but I can't keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they'll understand what happened to me, and where I went'.
And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air.
Charlotte.. such an inspiration...you will be missed by many near and far! Be at peace little one. Allison, Rob and Yolanda... an amazing family, no words can describe how wonderful I think you all are. Love to you all....
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with your family during this difficult time. May you be blessed and given strength by God during the coming days and weeks to come.
ReplyDeleteWe are sadden by the news of Charlotte. She was a strong little girl.
ReplyDeleteAllison, you have a wonderful gift of writing. Thank-you so much for sharing Charlotte's journey with us. You have a precious memory book about Charlotte right here on your blog which has touched many lives. Keep writing....
Upholding your family in prayer.
There are no words that quite seem enough to say. I can not even imagine dealing with such a fight as you all have. Tears are streaming down my face, thinking of your precious little Charlotte. How much she has touched others, even those of us who don't know her. As well as how much she has taught everyone, to slow down, and never take anything for granted. We are sending you much love, hugs and prayers. May your faith, and the beautiful memories of such a brave little girl continue to get u through a time such as this.~Kaiis & Michelle
ReplyDeleteCops for Kids
ReplyDeleteDear Amsing Family,
We are so sorry that little Charlotte lost her battle and send our prayers. Thank you also for sharing her journey with so many so that we could follow. She touched our hearts and we will think of those sharing moments with memories of a family who helped their daughter find her wings. Warmly, Cops for Kids
Our family has been praying for your family daily since the beginning of your journey, and we will continue to uphold you to the Lord now. May His hand of comfort uphold you in this time of immeasurable grief.
ReplyDeleteI am so so sorry that Charlotte has passed. She has inspired me so much, as has your entire family. I can't even begin to imagine what this like for you right now. If there is one thing I've gathered from following the stories of children with cancer, it is that there are worse things than death. But, that doesn't make it any easier! I love Yolanda's picture and I'm sure Charlotte is happy and in peace now. I will be praying praying praying for the strength of your family. <3
ReplyDeleteDear Amsings,
ReplyDeleteOur hearts and thoughts are with you. Thank-you for sharing your journey with all. The strength and grace and love has been inspirational. Beautiful Charlotte has taught us to live in the moment. What a blessing you all are. May you have peace.
Dear little Charlotte, It saddens my heart to know you have passed but lightens my soul to know my little Kiwi has you with her now...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your lose and sorry we haven't been in more communication over this time we have been watching from a far, we truly hold you guys so close knowing what you are going through.
May you have strength and grace.
Love from all of Kiwi's family....
I love love that quote, thank you for sharing.....
DeleteDear Rob and Allison~ Beautiful little Charlotte left this world such a rich little girl. She was so fortunate to have been born to such a loving family who dedicated the past two years to her comfort and concerns. She will be forever in your hearts which makes her closer than you realize at this tender time. Love and prayers for you as you struggle through these next few days to find closure from these cancer demons that have ripped your baby out of your arms and won their battle. You have all been such an inspiration and God Bless you!<3
ReplyDeleteWe are very sorry for your loss. Yolanda's picture rated fridge mounting
ReplyDeleteIan Cribb
I am so sorry for your loss & you have been in my thoughts this week especially. There is a song I heard a little while ago & I wanted to share it with you in the hope that it may be an encouragement. The author of the song lost his baby girl when she was just two hours old & this song came out of the realization that as much as he loved her, no one could ever love her as much as Jesus does. In knowing that she was safe with the One who loved her before time began, he was able to find a measure of comfort & hope. My prayer is that it would bless you in the same way.
ReplyDeleteI Will Carry You- Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLuaGiu73jc
thank you for sharing this. prayers and hugs
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I wish you all peace in your hearts.
ReplyDeleteYolanda's drawing is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.
Dear Amsings, I think of you and Charlotte often. What a journey this has been. I love Yolanda's picture and feel so happy thinking of Charlotte having so much fun in heaven. Thank you for opening your heart to us and for letting us walk alongside you in this journey. Thank you for your honesty and your vulnerability. I have learned so much from you. Praying for you and thinking of you today.
ReplyDeleteRachelle