6-year-old girl’s notes to family live on after her

MSNBC ^ | Oct. 28, 2009 | By Mike Celizic

[Cardhu]

To say that “Notes Left Behind” is a book about a 6-year-old girl who died is accurate, but woefully inadequate. By filling her family’s house with hidden messages of love and hope, Elena Desserich continues to celebrate life long after she succumbed to pediatric brain cancer.

[Cardhu]

A sad but charming story of exceptional love.

[pgkdan]

Geez! Now I’m sitting here all teary eyed! What a beautiful little girl.

[yorkie]

I lost my son when he was nine, to cancer. He wrote a little book, drew pictures, made cards, wrote letters - with such wisdom. And, he knew. (Kleenex time, here.)

[autumnraine]

She spelled her name backward... this little girl was an angel or something.

And I’m crying. What a blessing!! You are just walking along and get a brand new (not a memory) “I love you” from your deceased child.

Oh Lord, you are magnificent and thank you for giving these people this gift in the absence of their loved daughter.

[Kartographer]

What no blurring screen alert?
"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?" J. K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabam

[isthisnickcool]

There is nothing worse than watching a child that age die of cancer. Nothing.

There are no braver people than some of the kids that walk the path this child did. No NFL player is tougher, no Marine is able to take more pain, no prize fighter ever stepped in to the ring and stood their ground with more heart and determination than some of these kids.

I have memories of a little girl dancing around my feet. Happy, smiling, full of life. My last memory of her is the image of a frail angel, who fought to the last breath, laying in a white casket that was too big for her.

No, there is nothing worse than watching a child that age die of cancer. Nothing.....

[B-Chan]

You’ve got that right. I pray every day that God steer whatever diseases and injuries come our boy’s way to me and me alone. He’s innocent; I deserve them.

[B-Chan]

May God bless you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

[yorkie]

Thank you B-Chan. It has been a long, long time since he left us, and the memories are all so loving and beautiful.

I was indeed blessed to have him in my life for even such a short time.

[Wyatt's Torch]

Dear Lord... my girls are 9 and 6... I could not possibly imagine the pain those parents went through... Wow...

[spectre]

I can only imagine the unbearable pain of losing a child to cancer.

But the love remains..

sw

[McKayopectate]

Oh wow. That just gives me chills... in a good way. And here comes those tears, dang it...

[yorkie]

bttt

[mowowie]

A gift in many ways....

[stylecouncilor]

ping

[Pan_Yan]

Ping

[onedoug]

Holy note!

[Bellflower]

This reminded me of what happened with a coworker of my sister. His little daughter was dying a long death with cystic fibrosis. She had been very brave and valiant. He and his wife loved their beautiful little girl so much. Neither were religious at all but the night before their daughter died she told them that Jesus had come to visit her. She told them that she was going to die very soon but that Jesus wanted them to know that she was going to be fine and was going to a wonderful place where He would take care of her and that He did not want them to worry about her. I am not quoting the exact words, but words with this meaning, as it has been awhile. Her dad told my sister about what his little girl had told him. His little daughter did soon die but the way in which she had told them not to worry and that she had talked to Jesus was so convincing that he and his wife received comfort from what she said.

[Cardhu]

That is a beautiful story of the little girl comforting her parents. Who knows what insights are given to children.