Life to us is not the same;
All the world would be like heaven,
If we could have you back again.
A light is from our household gone,
A voice we loved is still,
A place is vacant in our home,
That never can be filled.
May the god of Love and Mercy,
Care our loved one who is gone,
And bless with consolation,
Those left to carry on.
The happy hours we once enjoyed,
How sweet their memory still,
But death has left a vacant place
This world can never fill.
How dearly we all loved you,
And prayed you might live,
But Jesus just beckoned,
And we had to give.
God gave us strength to bear it,
And courage to fight the blow,
What it has meant to lose you,
God alone will ever know.
Kate's Story
August 2008…
Three-year old Kate Thornton was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Shortly after Kate’s leukemia diagnosis, loving friends and family recognized that the Thornton family was in need of a larger home. The family of 7 shares a 3-bedroom, 1200-square foot house. Kate did not have a bedroom of her own to come home to and recuperate from treatments. When home, she slept on the couch. In addition, the home was not easily accessible for Kate with her adaptive equipment. Many options were considered to provide for this need, including a hopeful nomination for ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover. (insert picture of ty)
February 2010…
Another needy family was chosen for the makeover, but that did not dissuade the thoughts of caring individuals in the community to coordinate efforts for a “grassroots makeover”. In the winter of 2010, Kate’s condition worsened and it became clear that she needed a bone marrow transplant. By a stroke of God’s nudging, two Katherines, a teacher and a stay-at-home mom were drawn together to a common cause to benefit another Katherine (Kate) and her family. Kat Manzella, Kate’s Godmother, and Katye Oliver, Thornton family friend, created “Kisses 4 Kate”. Our purpose was to raise funds through the sale of bracelets and fundraisers to purchase a safe and appropriately-sized home for Kate and the Thornton family.
Raising funds to purchase a house was a huge endeavor and it was only through our faith in God that we took this daunting endeavor on. Repeatedly, we have been encouraged by remembering “With God, all things are possible” – Philippians 3:17 and a quote from Mother Angelica, “You have to believe in the ridiculous in order for God to do the miraculous.”
August 23, 2010…
The Thornton family received the devastating news that Kate is in need of hospice care. There were no more treatments that the doctors believe would save Kate’s life. It was time to take her home and keep her comfortable. After two years of fighting, the family had to change their course to cherishing those last weeks with their precious daughter/sister. We were acting in faith, knowing that what God called us to do, obtain a home for this family, will be completed. The next day we started our fund raising.
September 2, 2010
We stormed the property with volunteers who helped us prepare for the Thornton's arrival.
We knew we had to move quickly as Kate's condition took a sudden turn.
September 3, 2010
The Homecoming was bittersweet. Kate's continues to rapidly weaken by the hour. We now knew she may only have a matter of days to live. It was a precious moment when Susan, Kate's mom, carried Kate across the threshold and into her beautiful princess bedroom. She was able to lay in her very own bed and marvel at the details. Two of the bedroom walls are hand-painted with murals, by Kat Manzella, Lenis Dau and MaryBeth Thompson. One a beach scene with Ariel, the mermaid and the other a castle with meadows and a flowing brook. Painted roses surround her bedroom door. Ballerinas danced on the window finials and special momentos grace the gorgeous donated furniture. The family was truly amazed.
September 5, 2010
Kate Thornton passed away at the new home, in her sleep with her father and mother at her side. Our greatest hope over this whole project was to bring this family, who had been through so much, under one roof and into their own home. THANK YOU for being a part in this!
A Butterfly Release
