So it has been a year since I saw you, got to hold your hand, and hear your voice. Your memories race through my mind every day you are in all of my dreams as well. Unfortunately, every time I try to think of a happy time with you, I think back to that day one year ago. It is so vivid it is almost like it happened yesterday. I miss you so much and I feel like a major part of me left with you that day. When we had gone to see you just 2 days before, your calcium had gone sky high, we were so afraid for you. The doctor said not to worry though and that she had a way to fix it. You can't imagine our relief, but only for a day. It wasn't fair, all you went through for those 6 months, and we all thought there would be a happy ending. Boy were we wrong.

Many memories flood my mind, like coming over after a hot day at work and jumping in the pool with you and Skylar wanting to join us, or the many barbeques at your house, and all the times we would go thrift storing in the winter when I had some time off. Older ones too, just so many. One of my favorite ones though was when we were all craving something sweet so we raided the cubbard and the fridge to see what we could whip up. You taught me how to make merangues and we also made lemon bars because we couldn't find Anne's recipe for lemon merangue pie. They were awesome though and we had so much fun that night. We thought we would have a baking night once a month, but like craft night, life got in the way. I did get that recipe from Anne eventually and I am sorry we never got to use it. After I moved out, I didn't get to see you that much exept between classes at school when I could snatch you up for a cigarette or lunch so when you moved to Riverhead and were only a few minutes drive, I was so happy. I am very greatful for those years. Many fond memories were made and I will cherish them forever. If there were such things as angels, you would be one of them.

These songs are for you mom, I miss you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5sJozPBUB8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj6fKvVSfq8

Andrea, You know how I feel about afterlife and religion. But I still can't believe an energy as intense as yours could simply disappear. Your baby, and myself for that matter, could use some of your trademarked comforting and solace right now, if you could... help Danni and all of us to laugh and smie when we think of you. 'Licia is working diligently on her midterm for her masters as you would expect her to be and balancing more weights than anyone should. Danni is busting her hump at work, giving more than receiving as usual and sacrificing herself for those she loves, as she learned best from you. Claire is following in the footsteps and coming to learn to be self-sufficient and how to lead a "structured" lifestyle. She's considering buying the home right down the road from us. Wish you could see the homes that you helped us get into. I've been trying to become well so I can take some burden off of Danni and at the same time trying to remind her that the memories that hurt so bad right now will someday bring a smile not a tear.

They all have a hurt deep within their eyes that they can hide pretty well at times but it has been there for nearly a year now, they need a hug from above. My mom and I were talking about you yesterday and agreed that for some reason it hurt more to lose you than her mother. You brought SO much to this world and never even realized it.

Love Always,
Mike

My son Owen was staying at Andreas house and Andrea requested he add some oil to the car.  Owen was young and not knowledgeable about cars and you guessed it, he put the oil in the wrong place. This did not do the car any good. This wonderful Angel of a woman didn't bat an eyelash and just passed it off. I didn't hear about this till later. 

I can't remember, but, it seems like I know her forever, I remember dropping Jill off to play with the twins in Moriches when they were all so little. I saw Andrea a lot but never saw her get upset about anything. She was so wonderful to talk to. I tried calling in her last year as I hadn't  seen her in a while and was sad that I couldn't contact her. At the funeral I was told why. The love there was incredible.  We should all take a lesson from her and when anger or upset comes up we should visualize her lovely smile and face, so even keeled and caring, doing so much for so many and asking nothing in return. I could go on and on. I am not a writer, it doesn't come easy to me but in this case it was effortless. Andrea was one of the most wonderful people I met in my life. Will never forget, but how could one forget someone like Andrea. My Love to her and everyone associated with this site, Danielle, Alicia, and Claire especially. Maureen Thanks to you for this. 

I've been watching you from a distance
The distance sees through your disguise
All I want from you is your hurting
I want to heal you
I want to save you from the dark

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Why should I care if they hurt you
Somehow it matters more to me
Than if I were hurting myself
Save you (save you)
I'll save you

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Give unto me your troubles
I'll endure your suffering
Place onto me your burden
I'll drink your deadly poison

Fear not the flame of my love's candle
Let it be the sun in your world of darkness

(Song from Evanescence)

It was so wonderful that Mom worked at the college that we had attended. We would visit her between classes and kidnap her for lunch any chance we got.

Throughout her illness she had lost the ability to walk as usual and had gone through much physical therapy. We were very lucky to have her home for Easter as well as Alicia and my birthday. On this night, she managed to make it from her bed in the livingroom to the dining table on the computer chair with only minimal help past the couch. It seemed like she was making great improvement. We were all very happy to have her there because most of the time she spent in bed.

Your Mother is always with you... She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.  Your Mother lives inside your laughter.  And she's crystallized in ever tear drop.  She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take.  She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separted you. 

Not time, not space... not even death!

Dear Andrea,

You left us too soon.  We wanted you to get well and stay with us longer.  You bravely fought an illness you and your doctors thought you could overcome.  It makes us realize again that we are not in control.

So this morning we should also celebrate your life.  I would like to tell you what you meant to me and what I admired about you.  You were a dear and loyal friend and cousin.  Some things I remember are playing french horn together in band in high school, being in Latin club together and visiting your grandparents on Captiva Island in Florida our senior year.

We both decided to go to Fredonia Stae as music majors, then our lives diverged.  I moved to Poughkeepsie and then California, but we still kept in touch.  I saw you ever summer when I came to Long Island for visits.

Some of the things I appreciated about you were your kindness and generosity, your loving nature, your genuiness, your intelligence, your steadfastness, your goodness, your thoughtfulness, your enjoyment of family and friends, your love of animals, your laughter, your patience, your positive attitude and courage, even through a difficult illness.

Your life reminds us to live each day fully and to accept what comes to us with grace.

I am grateful for your friendship through all these years and will cherish your memory.

With my love,

Faith

Andrea had a special way of touching everyone's heart.  She was the definition of kindness and compassion rolled into one.  No matter how busy life may have been, she always made everyone feel special.  She had a special gift of saying the exact words, to make you feel better.  Hallmark could never hold a candle to her personal cards.  There are so many memories..... When I was a teen, and had no desire to read, she gave me a book that she read as a teen, and I remember flipping through the pages, and then not being able to put it down.  It was Marjorie Morningstar, by Herman Wouk.  The book was written in the 1930's, and even though a generation separated us, I realized that Andrea knew exactly what I was feeling.  She ALWAYS knew.  She taught me that giving is not just about material things, but about yourself, and I am so thankful to say she was a part of my life.  Anyone who ever knew Andrea, knows exactly what I mean.  Andee Mom, you are forever in my heart!

Anne Guidry

The flame that was you
burned fiercely but gently

It quietly roared
and peacefully ignited
love in everyone
touched by
it's flicker

Humbly stretching
toward the stars
above us all

Unwavering you melted
right through so
many hearts

Burning too brightly,
too shortly

Three sparks cast off
growing to embers,
then flames bursting with
life, brighter each day,
follow your trail

A path so bright
and wide we all must
follow, with you forever
smoldering inside.

Andrea was such a compassionate woman.  She was also a great listener, nurturer and friend.  I had no idea at the time what a big undertaking it was for her to take in not one but two teenage step-daughters at different times.  Now that I am a Mom of teenagers, I realize what a huge sacrifice and commitment that was for her.   I lived with Andrea and my Dad for a year when I was 18 and for three months when I was 16.  She helped me learn how to be an adult in every aspect from applying for a job to getting my first driver's licence.  She taught me some great life lessons and encouraged me to be the best i could be when I was so young and naive.   I always felt loved by Andrea and I will forever be touched by her patience, support and encouragment.  I can honestly say that I never saw Andrea get angry or short-tempered....although I probably gave her every reason to be.   She was a great Mom and when the twins and Claire arrived, they lit up her life and she poured herself into them.    Thank you Andrea for leaving a legacy of love and kindness.  You left us too soon and you will be greatly missed!

With love always

Maureen Raby Reese