Thinking of you today, pretty girl.

Love you girly. You are so missed. Watch over everyone. Love you

Miss you so very much. Love you girly...

I haven't cried in awhile ...I realized just now. I am still shocked, traumatized, deeply wounded... It's not that I can or could ever forget you, in fact, I think about you often. -I wonder what you would think about today's world or what you would be doing. I have to push it aside to carry on but today I am reminded of how heavy this stone in our hearts will always be. We will see you again and it will be wonderful. Love always -Unkie.

Yesterday was such a success. You were with us the entire time. So many smiles, tears and just puzzled faces. Mom and I had a blast. Met up with Hailey(as you know) love you dearly

I love you my sweet girl. I miss you every waking moment and am lucky enough to dream about you sometimes when I sleep. How I wish you were here on earth to celebrate your 24th birthday! I would love to spoil you and I know you'd be happy to be spoiled and would love every minute of being the center of attention. Others will be blessed today by random acts of kindness done in your name. I am looking forward to seeing how others are blessed and know you're smiling at everyone who's thinking of you today. I looked at your photos and watched videos of you today. I've shared some of your videos and photos this week with people who've never seen them before. I listened to the one beautiful perfect voice mail I have of you and the video of you singing multiple times. I miss you. I miss you at every stage and age and I miss who you were and who you would be now. I love you forever. 

Dear precious marinah. You're so dearly missed. Speak of you daily. I gave mom a gift for your birthday this yr. It's beautiful and shines just like your smile. Love you and happy heavenly birthday. Send lots of dragonflies.. oooh Donna Lol

Hi Marinah, I received a message from your mom today asking me to send positive thoughts and energy. She's having such a rough time without you and she misses you so damn much. This is why I know when I was driving today and passed a woman on the side of the road who actually looked like you that you sent her to me. I stopped and rolled down my window because she was crying. I asked if she wanted help and she said no. I asked if she wanted someone to talk to and she said yes. I turned my car around, parked and sat with her on the side of the road. She was homeless, smelled bad, and a drug addict. I asked if she was hungry and she said yes. She didn't want to get into my car so I told her I would come back with the food. At the last minute she jumped in. Her name is Joy and my heart absolutely breaks for her. I took her to Subway and she ordered a salad. I asked if she wanted a sub too and you should have seen her face. We got her a foot-long steak sub and some chips. We sat at one of the tables and I told her all about you. I told her she looked just like you. We both sat and cried. It was such an awesome though sad time but I know you put me in her path. Two hours after we met, I drove her to a gas station that she sleeps behind and dropped her off. She didn't want to take more of my time and she promised to wave or give me a hug if I saw her again. She is 28-years old and has a 6-year-old son who was taken away from her by the state. My heart is so full as well as sad right now. I so wish I could have done more. She hugged me so tight when I left her and said thank you for not passing judgement. Your legacy lives on, Marinah. It's in every kind act I do. I do need one thing from you though. I need you to let your mom know that you're okay. I know you can find a way to do it. Thank you for making me a better person <3

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Marinah In memory of your 23rd birthday, I stopped at the grocery store today after my doctor's appt. While I was paying for my groceries, I asked for $20 cash back. I had the cashier put that $20 and the 3 $1 bills that I had on me on the lady's order that was behind me. She had 2 adorable twin baby boys with her and being a twin myself, I thought it was appropriate. I told the Mom about you and that this was my random act of kindness in your name. Thinking of you and your entire family!! XOXO

Still think of you frequently, especially now I am back in Florida. I wish I would've known something to say to help or something I could've done. I had no idea what you were dealing with. I miss you. I think I am strong enough now to complete your portrait drawing that I started but couldn't work on because it hurt too much. I know you would be making us proud and making us laugh today. Happy Birthday . Love always. Unkie

My girls birthday is in a few days and when I ordered their cakes I offered to pay for another birthday cake in Marinah’s honor. Happy birthday sweet girl!

Ohhhh Donna from above with a giggle. That's what marinah would do with me And how I do miss that. Love you kiddo and miss you dearly.. as for spreading kindness I will certainly do that. Keep sending the dragon flies..

I was an addict for 20 years, everyday that I had meth, I used meth!! I have been clean for 12 years now! Dinah, I know how strong you are, when you face a tragedy this big, you have no choice but to be STRONG! I am so sorry for your loss. Today in honor of Marinah, I delivered a box of food to a wonderful family that I have adopted as my own!! Both parents are recovered addicts and they take in unwanted children and raise them with love and compassion!! I will do more acts of kindness through the month of October, and make sure that I tell them about your sweet girl!!!

I miss you Kiddo. I know you are still here but I sure wish I could talk to you. The world is such of a darker place not that you are not here to make it brighter with your smile. Thank you for knowing me and being part of my left. Keep being awesome!

After seeIng Marinah's Mom's post, I wanted to do something in Marinah's name. I know it's not much, but when I went through Starbucks drive thru this morning with my friend, I paid the person's order that was behind me and I said, this is for Marinah. God Bless!!

It's starting to get cold here and a hot cup of coffee can make a big difference to someone standing outside all day. My neighborhood coffee shop offers the opportunity to pay for someone's coffee anonymously. When I head out later today, I will pay for a few cups. The shop is near a transit stop, which are popular hangouts for people who are homeless in Chicago. I also keep a few rolled up dollar bills in an accessible pocket of my purse so that I can give to people standing outside of fast food restaurants asking for help with a meal. I'll keep doing this throughout the winter. For both, I'll say, "This is from Marinah."

Oh how I miss you my sweet girl! How I long to have you follow me around and ask me what I'm doing every moment of every day. To have you text me or call me and need me for random things. For you to be excited about something and "talk my head off" about it. To hear you laugh. To see you smile. To see the funny things you'd write and the way you had with words. To be able to hug you and kiss your cheek. To touch your hair. To just hold you tight and to protect you from anything that could hurt you. I wish I could have saved you. I'm sorry I couldn't. The world isn't the same without you, your loss is felt so intensely, so deep, so strong. So much. Love you forever and ever.

Missing u lots today Marinah. I see the dragon flies all the time so I know u visit often. I feel your presence even without the dragon flies. I often hear your voice "Hi graaaanny" giggle goggle. I will never forget. I ask God all the time to tell u Hello and tell u how much I miss u. Hopefully, I will see u in my dreams. Happy and carefree as u always were. This place is not the same without u. Oh by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY coming up. I love u always and forever.

Miss you so much. "Ooh Donnna" the giggle And laughter.       I know you keep watch over everyone that loves you. Miss you

Holidays are not as bright, without our missing light. Love you Marinah. RIH.

Thinking of Marinah and all who loved her.

Mariah,
I think of you so often. It's so hard to believe it's been two years. It still feels like it was yesterday.
I choose to lite a candle to shine as bright as your smile.
We both love and miss you so very much.
Until we see you again. Please continue to watch over Keiran as his guardian angel.
Kelley Fisher and Keiran Maraj

Dearest Marinah, I've only seen you through the eyes of your mother and she is an amazing woman as I know you were. Your mother asked me if I would do a random act of kindness in your name last year and I did. What I didn't do was come in here and post about it. I felt like I was patting myself on the back. Then, I read a post from your mother about how much your family finds comfort in these comments and I finally understood. This year and from here on out, I'll participate and comment.

I just returned from Tennessee from a book conference. There's a restaurant next to the hotel that I love to eat at. On my first trip in a new waitress was learning the ropes and accompanying our waitress around. She was sweet and funny and said she had no idea feet could hurt as bad as hers. I thought about her for a long time after leaving. Fast forward four days and my last visit to the restaurant. We were seated in the very back which seemed kind of strange. Then the new waitress came out to be our server. She was an entirely different person. She could barely walk and basically limped toward us. She tried her best to plaster a smile on her face but you could see the pain. I asked how she was doing and reminded her I was there during her training. She told me her feet were swollen, blistered and bleeding. It was one of the saddest things. I told her not to give up and stick with it. Her feet would get better. Her face went serious and she said, "I'll stick it out because I don't want my babies growing up on welfare.” Her words moved me in a way few have done.

The bill came to a little under $20. I handed her a $50 bill and told her to keep the change for her babies. The woman fell apart. Her sobs were so loud I had to get up and support her with the biggest hug I had. Once she could speak she said, "I can't believe you did this. I didn't think there were any nice people left in this world." I know differently but I've been where she was and I understood.

I asked to speak to the manager on my way out and he thought it was for a complaint. It wasn't. I named each server we had by name and told him this is my favorite restaurant to eat at in the US because his wait staff is phenomenal.

Thank you Marinah. So many people miss you but I know you're in a better place and looking down upon us with the message of hope by simply sharing kindness.

In honor and memory of Marinah, my husband and I stopped by a local bakery and bought a scone for a young homeless man we had seen sleeping in the park nearby. David took the scone and $20 over to him, but didn't want to wake the poor kid... so put everything in one of his shoes. We hope he woke up to a slightly happier day.

Today is your 21st birthday. We use to be really good friends when we were both younger. when I look back at my childhood I'm happy to say you were a part of it. It's really sad to think to myself that you were taken so young. You had so much more to accomplish. God took my mother when she was still young. I've told myself my whole life that he took her because he needed his angel in heaven. They say only the good die young. I also told myself that even though I'm really hurt I can't see my mother anymore, she's living in a much better place. She told me a lot about what heavens like, and based on that, I could say you really are in a much better place. Anyways, in honor of your birthday I tried my best to perform some random acts of kindness your mom wanted everyone to do in honor of you. Even though I was on a mission to perform them in your name, they seemed to just come at me so effortlessly... but I gave someone who was holding a sign asking for money some of the cash I had on me. Then there was a lady and her small child in front of me and she was buying gas, $10 worth. I decided to pay for her pump. I wish I could have done more. But after I would do those things, they would say thank you. I told them it was in honor of what would be your 21st birthday. I don't know if you drink or not or if you would have a drink today, but I poured some of my husbands vodka in a shot glass and watered my plant with it for you since I can't drink it myself... lol. . Happy birthday marinah. I'm so sorry you're gone but I'm happy with where you're at. If it was me instead, I'd hope somebody would take the time to actually think of me on my birthday and take the time to honor my life. Even if the people weren't really close with me at all. I'd want them to keep my legacy and my name alive. So here's to you Marinah. Rest In Peace, this world won't forget you and we all really wish you were here

My tribute to this amazing angel was to donate to my neighbors go fund me page. He lost his son unexpectedly earlier this week.
Marinah, until we see you again. Continue to be Keiran's guardian angel. We both love and miss you.

Always missed,
Never forgotten!
Kindness swells
From the deepest bottom.
And coaxes hearts
To beat and thrive
For you dear one
A memory survives.
Your love and grace
Are surely missed
And hearts that cry
Feel as they're kissed.
Those that you've touched
They love you so
Our thoughts stay pure
And grow so much.
Please Rest In Peace
A spirit so blessed
Please run with joy
There are no tests.
Your light is bright
And stays with us.
The love and peace
Is loved in trust.
Now fly on lady
Fast and free
Don't worry we're fine
With you, we'll be.

God Bless you and we love and miss you so much!

In celebration of Marinah's birthday, I made a meal for my disabled friend and her elderly manfriend. I bought the ingredients, brought them to their home, cooked and left them with a large pot of delicious chicken and noodles. I explained to them that my sister requested that her friends and family do a random act of kindness in commemoration of Marinah's 20th birthday. My friends were grateful. Although the act wasn't exactly random, it was appreciated.
I'm looking forward to the second annual Marinah VanHoose Random Act of Kindness Day.

My daughter Talia and I worked on making a postcard-sized memorial paper explaining this beautiful tribute with Marinah's picture. Since Talia was going to be in Atlanta for a convention on M's birthday, she got creative with her act of kindness. She attended the convention with her Polaroid camera, film and memorial cards, in-hand. She approached groups of people that were dressed in Cosplay and offered to take a free picture of their group. Along with their instant picture, they received a memorial card. I was so proud of Talia for her willingness to make this tribute a part of her weekend. It seemed like something that Marinah would've liked. And I am happy to see that at least one group took the time to share the experience from their side. At such a wonderful and fanciful event, Marinah was being remembered and celebrated.

Me and my group of friends had a Polaroid photo taken of us this past Saturday (10/1/16) over at Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) by a group of girls. I thought it was a very neat way of honoring someone's memory and had to share it. Even though I've never met Marinah, I can tell that she was loved dearly and will be missed. Happy Belated Birthday, hope it was as beautiful as you are! :)

-The Inside Out group at AWA
Kennesaw, GA

I wish there was a way to leave a photo. I came home from church today to flowers on my doorstep with a note. "Please accept this random act of kindness in Marinah Vanhouse's name. I hope they light up your world in the same way Marinah lit up ours."

I will certainly pay it forward in her honor. ❤️

Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter Marinah. What a wonderful idea having people do random acts of kindness on her special day. I took $20 to a Tim Hortons to pay for people's orders and gave a nice tip to the girls working there. ❤️
Sherri (Barrie ON Canada)

Today for my random acts of kindness, I helped a friend who needed a ride 3 hours away and back, as well as bought someone who couldn't afford to eat some dinner. Marinah I miss you more than anything. We were hoping to be reunited down the road through our careers and I was looking forward to that. I text your phone all the time just hoping this is just a bad dream. I love you babygirl and I wish I could just see you one more time. Happy birthday beautiful

In honor of Marinahs birthday I bought coffee and donuts for the people in the building I work in. I also passed out flowers to people I saw in the halls of my job and in the streets. I am hoping atleast one person will leave a message today but if they don't I atleast know they appreciated the random acts of kindness and even just for a moment they smiled and celebrated her birthday with us. <3

Our friend Monica brought her girls over to play with my daughter today. As a tribute to Marinah she brought us a plate of cookies. Though I won't be going out today, tomorrow we will do something nice for someone in Marina's memory. Samantha, Fort Hood, TX

My tribute was to go to a nursing home with a plant and picked a random room to give it too. I had the best time visiting with my new friend Irene and ,we even had coffee . Happy bday in heaven where the cake is sweet and the ice cream is cold

Happy birthday in heaven. My gift will be for fuzzy buckets. Love you and miss ya.

In honor of Marinah's birthday, I bought groceries for a 76 year old widow. It wasn't much, just some staples like potatoes, onions, lettuce, bananas, milk, eggs, toilet tissue, etc., but all she had was a little meat and grits to eat for the next 3 days. Amazingly, while we were checking out (at the Publix in Atlantic Beach) and I was explaining that this was to honor Marinah, the cashier actually knew her! In honor of Marinah and to the glory of God!

I remember when we met in middle school, you were such a sweet beautiful soul. I always told you how you were unique and beautiful. You said you wish you weren't so tall and I said tall women are very special because they see everything, and they are closer to the sky like a star that shines very bright.I remember her smiling when I said that. The last time I spoke to you you told me Merry Christmas to me and my family and that you hope it's great. Little did I know you would be gone soon. I guess it was a goodbye in a way. :( but hey no tears it's your birthday why be sad. Why not celebrate it for you?! All smiles and happiness is what you would have wante . So, cheers to you beautiful. You will always be with us. You will always be my shining star. Shine very bright up there. Now you can touch the sky.

Happy Birthday Marinah. I sang to u at Midnight for your birthday. I miss u sooo very much. I love u.    Granny

Random acts of kindness. I have the best administrative assistant ever. When she gets to her desk this morning she will find a pretty little rose plant. Her favorite yogurt is in the fridge waiting also. Happy birthday Marinah from Lakeland, FL

I miss you so much. You're always in my heart, my mind, my thoughts. Not a moment goes by that I'm not thinking about you. I still don't believe it. I love you so much Marinah!

To the Friends and Family of Marinah,

Please accept my deepest sympathy. It is so unnatural and painful to lose someone in death at such a young age. But be assured that Jehovah God yearns to reunite children with their parents by means of the resurrection. In the account at Mark 5:40-42, Jesus lovingly demonstrated what his Father will do for us in the future when he resurrected a 12-year old girl and returned her to her parents. "The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life" (John 5:28,29)

Used to talk to Marinah on the bus. Got to be friends for a while. She was a wonderful person and a great neighbor. Three houses down, I was there when they first moved in. Hung out with her brother Sammy too, we'd talk about games, sports, whatever came to mind. As of late every time I saw her leaving for work Id stop and say hi, or ask her how her day went when she was coming home.
I cant say I knew her very well, but she was a wonderful person who will be very missed. God rest Marinah.

Marinah, everyday so far, I've thought of you and realize "in human-terms" what it seems like we've lost... But in the true world (the spiritual realm) I know that we "all" have only gained... You will no longer feel the pains of this world and you will "Stay Gold" and fit right into Heaven. We have gained some magnificent times that we will have together when we meet as a family in Heaven... At that moment these times apart will be erased and we will embrace you and always be with you, never to lose you again! For that I thank God!! Love you baby!! Can't wait to see you again... xoxoxo Unkie

To Michael, Dinah, Family & All loved ones of your sweet Marinah. We are so very sorry for your loss :(. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. May God be with you all at this time. R.I.P Marinah. Love, Nancy & Tami

My dearest Dinah. I remember Marinah as a young lady and watched her grow up when I entered the 21st. century, also known as facebook. There is nothing like a mother's love. All of children shown so brightly through your eyes. I will always remember the golden balloons sailing to heaven with your heart balloon leading the way. Marinah was a light in our world, it is a light that will never dim I will carry her always, I know you and her father and her brother and sister will too. I love you.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Marinah. It saddens us to think that one of the neighborhood girls is gone. She spent a lot of time over here with Taylor. I will always remember those long legs and her smile. The Leights-----Dave (shipmate to Michael on the Moosbrugger), Kym, Madison and Taylor

There aren't enough words to express how sorry I am for your lost. Marinah was an extraordinary young lady and her beautiful smiled that shined on everyone she met. She will never be forgotten and treasure memories always.

The love that has been showing is a testament to Marinah and her family. Marinah will be missed by so many but most especially her family and close friends. My thoughts go out to all of you.