Sam.

[Jen Eagan]

Many of you know, and many newer people do not- my sweet niece Sammi has been fighting cancer the last 2 1/2 years. She has entered her final stage, and is in desperate need of prayer. Yesterday she became unresponsive, and this morning has been in agonizing pain, and they are unable to manage it. I am heading to the hospital to be with her in a little bit, there are things I have waited to say to her before she passes because I didn't want to be premature. I don't know how long she has and I am completely devastated and lost and just helpless. I am reliving the death of my daughter all over again and I never thought I would feel that again and it's torture.
Please pray for Sam's pain to ease and for a pain-free passing.

Sorry I haven't been around lately- I just can't deal with all *this* right now... :(

I will update more later.

[Marcus Momma]

I am Praying For Ya

[motherofthree]

Prayers for the ease and comfort of your niece as she passes from this life to the next, as well as for your peace and that of your family. I'm so sorry this is happening.

[HAINAngel2000]

Oh Jen of course I am lifting prayers of for you and your family right now.

Lord Jesus we lift Jen and her sweet angel up to you now Lord. We ask for peace in this situation Lord.We ask that you give Jen the strength to go through this devastation. Lord we ask they you give her peace and give her strength. We lift this up to you Lord. There is no words to express that can comfort a family as much as we know you can give comfort. Lord we ask that you comfort Jen and her family and Lord her daughter Lord we ask that she not suffer any further. Thank you Lord for Jen and we love her.

AMEN&AMEN

[kelly bennett]

praying praying praying for you all... I am just so sorry.

[Vicki]

Jen . . .

I've been following Sammi's progress on Caring Bridge and saw this morning that she had had a not so good night . . . I am so sorry to hear this . . . she is an awesome long lady and I admire how she has fought this tooth and nail . . . I especially loved the latest on the rental of the car . . . her dream car! She has seemed to find a way to find the joy in every moment she has had!! You and the rest of her family are in my thoughts and prayers . . .

“Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” ~ Unknown ~

[KEA's Mom]

Jen,
I, too, have been following Sammi's story and after reading this morning's post, she has been on my mind all day. I pray for her pain to ease and for her to have sometime with her loved ones. I am heartbroken that this sweet beautiful girl will soon be with our children. I will pray for all of you and her Mom and her sisters-for strength for you all.
God Bless,

[marybethsmomma]

I'm praying for her and all of you!!

[Tasha Nicholls]

So sorry, Jen. It's been a long and hard fight and she has been such a model of courage and strength. She's such a sweet and beautiful girl.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Tammy]

Don't even know what to say other than I am thinking of Sammi, you and your family. I too have followed Sammi's story since you first posted... and am deeply heartbroken for this young lady. She is amazing~ Please know my thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family.
Sending (((hugs)))~
Tammy

[KEA's Mom]

Jen,
I've read your posts--you're doing a great job taking over for Lisa. Please hang in there. I'm praying for all of you and for comfort and peace for Sammi. What a fighter she is--that beautiful, strong spirit. You are so fortunate to have her in your life--to know her and to love her--no matter where she is. She will always feel your love. And I can only imagine how blessed she feels to have the support and love of all of you. She'll take that with her whereever this journey takes her.
God Bless,

[DeeDee Ortiz]

We will be praying for you & your niece.

[Vicki]

Jen Eagan just posted on Caring Bridge that Sam passed away this morning at 6:08 . . .

[JenniferBrown]

Vicki, Thank you so much for letting us know. I'm so sad for Jen's family right now. Sammi fought sooooo hard! She recently graduated from High School and was so proud.
Please, everyone, keep Jen and her family in your prayers!

[Jen Eagan]

Thank you everybody for the prayers, I am overwhelmed with feelings, and am honestly just a big numb blob right now. I am relieved that her suffering is finally over and she is at peace. The thought of going on without her though- is just unfathomable...

I can't think right now so I'll just go.

[HAINAngel2000]

Oh Jen my prayers are going up for your family!!

[Kristi Sanger]

Oh Jen. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family.

Kristi

[Christine Barrack]

Jen,
I have been praying for her and you as well as following her blog. I know this is a difficult time. I am so sorry.
Know that we are here and for you. Sending you hugs.
Blessings,
Christine

[Kirk Kief]

Of course, there is no magical word that I can offer that will relieve your pain, and grief. If there was, I'd have it printed and distributed to the hundreds of thousands of other people that we try to offer comfort to. Just know that we are here for you, and don't try to come back to normal any time soon. Give yourself the time you need.

[Tammy]

Just read on caring bridge before coming here~ and wishing there were words to say...wishing I could fly to Washington just to give you and Lisa a hug... just wishing there was something....
All I can do is let you and your family know that I am thinking and praying for you all~ Sammi's light will shine from above forever.
As others have said, we are here should you need us~

[Kathy Schneider]

Jen,
I am so sorry about Sammi's passing. I know she was was a great inspiration for you and you for her. Please know that I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers in what seems like the darkest night. You will be able to go on even though it feels unfathomable...you are strong and your love for her will make you stronger and as hard as it is to imagine a better person. Have faith dear and know that God loves you and will pull you through to let you see the sunrise. Remember His majesty and love is greater than anything!

[efswsjuly17]

Lifting you up in my prayers tonight! God will wrap you in his arms and protect you during these times. We are here when you need us.

Brandy

Mommy to 3 Earthly Angels and my precious little Angel

[CrystalW]

I'm so sorry Jen. Your family is in my prayers.

[Kerry]

This a sad story been following along and wished this did not happen anyone. I wished it could just go away ,its painful on everyone.
Big Hugs to your family and all of us on here are thinking of you and family!

Kerry
Mother of Olivia,Sarah,Lane and Heavenly Angel Mallory

[Jen Eagan]

If anybody has a mp3 of the Sarah McLachlan song "In the arms of the angels" would you be willing to send it to me for Sam's slideshow... I already have one song she wanted (the Hawaiian guy singing Over the Rainbow), and she wants that angel one and her mom couldn't remember the third one (we talked about it a week ago and she had it written down). Once she lets me know I may be back to see if anybody has that one too... Sam planned most of her funeral service herself. I was supposed to go over later in the week to help her choose which of her senior pictures we took last year to display at the memorial. She didn't get the chance, so my mom and I chose 3 that we liked a lot- I hope she'll be happy with them... they're being delivered today.
I am going to try and find a really great Hawaiian flower arrangement too... (Sam loves Hawaii) but I'm torn between the kind on a stand or something in a pot that won't die right away... but I don't think they have Hawaiian flowers in pots in WA. But I don't really know. I am clueless about these things, I've never bought flowers before...


I am trying to keep myself busy but between comforting my kids and looking at all these pictures, I'm a bit out of my gourd this morning.

Thank you again for your prayers. If you have the song, could you please email it to jeleikay@yahoo.com.

[Vicki]

Jen . . .
I'm emailing you the song right now . . . let me know if it works.

[Jen Eagan]

Thanks Vicki- the song you sent was in itunes format which won't work for slideshows, but I got one that works, thank you.

[Lindzy Foster]

Jen I am so incredibly sorry for the loss of your niece Sammi.....ill keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers....i love that version of the Over the Rainbow song....

[JenniferBrown]

Bruddah Iz sings a BEAUTIFUL "Somewhere over the rainbow"! There's a beautiful story behind it, too.

Let me know if I can help with any other songs. ((((Hugs honey))))

[Jen Eagan]

I need Knockin' on Heaven's Door by GnR. If anybody can help out with this, that'd be awesome. I will ask around other places too...

[JenniferBrown]

I have it, when you come back to the computer I'll send it to you. :)

[Jen Eagan]

I'm at Lisa's now, we're planning the service. I guess Sam wanted that one- but we are still looking for other good ones.

[JenniferBrown]

Ok, I will email you that song. Yahoo message me if you need others. I have TONS of music (rofl, a little bit of a music buff hey! LOL)

[JenniferBrown]

In case you check this before you check your email.... I put a list of songs that would be appropriate for a funeral in there... let me know which ones (if any) you'd like me to shoot over to you.

Give Lisa a hug from us. (((((HUGS)))))

[Christine Barrack]

Jen,
I don't know what songs you are looking for. I have about 4 CD's that I bought in Hawaii. If you need them let me know. I also have a catalog from Hawaii with flowers that can be overnighted if you order from them. I will be out of the office most of today but you can call my cell 309.229.4121 if there is anything I can help you with.

[MrsSpencer]

Believe-Diamond Rio (played at a friend of mine's funeral, he was 20)

Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin
I feel you come back again
And it’s like you haven’t been gone a moment from my side,
Like the tears were never cried,
Like the hands of time were pulling you and me.

And with all my heart I’m sure we’re closer than we ever were,
I don’t have to hear or see I’ve got all the proof I need.
There are more than angels watching over me

I believe
Oh I believe

Now when you die and life goes on, I
t doesn’t end here
When you’re gone every soul has found a flight
It never ends if I’m right.

Our love can even reach across eternity.

I believe
Oh I believe

Forever you’re a part of me,
Forever in the heart of me,
I will hold you even longer if I can.
Oh the people, who don’t see the most,
See that I believe in ghosts.
If that makes me crazy then I am

Cuz I believe
Oh I believe

There are more than angels watching over me.

I believe
Oh I believe

Every now and then soft as breath upon my skin,
I feel you come back again
And I believe.

[CrystalW]

Just an idea but we played Life Aint Always Beautiful at Addisons funeral.

[MrsSpencer]

crystal..that's a good one, didn't think of that.

[marylouise]

Jen, I keeping you all in my prayers.
Big hugs

[Janna Coleman]

My thoughts and prayers are with Sammi, you and your family...........I'm really sorry Jen. God Bless all of you.

[Jen Eagan]

Thanks everyone for the prayers and thoughts. We are doing okay, getting by. A lot of people have called and I am always either with family or just not up for talking so don't be offended if I don't answer or return your calls, I have gotten the messages and do appreciate them.
We have settled on all the songs, and narrowed down the slideshow to 342 images (down from the 485 we originally had narrowed it down to). It's 5 songs long, 23 minutes. Yes it's a bit long- but I told Lisa (Sam's mom) what are people gonna do, get up and leave? Tomorrow is the viewing in the evening and I will be tweaking the slideshow to get the slides where I want them, and I'm also designing the program thingie for the memorial service- which there's some conflict so we don't even know yet when that's going to be... ugh. We are all just kind of ready for this week to be over. It helps me to be doing the techie stuff because I can hide behind the window of that and not have to feel the emotions just yet. Working on the slideshow it hit me again that she's really gone... but I tried to push it back so that I could just get the job done.
I'm not ready to face a future without her...

[marylouise]

Jen, wish I was there to give you a hug in person. Sending you hugs.

[Vicki]

Jen . . .

You rock girl! I don't think 23 minutes is too long at all . . . how can you sum up someone's amazing fight for life in a 3 minute video??? Her story deserves being told and all those photos will be a great help for others that are hurting and missing her too . . .

Vicki

[motherofthree]

Jen, I have not been online in several days, but thought of you and Sammie. I am sorry to hear that she's gone from your life, such a blessing she was, but glad for the peace she now has. I'm sure she's looking down, as light as air, and free of pain, loving you all for how you honor and mourn her. I am so very sorry...hugs and prayers for you and your family. And I agree with Vicki - such a fighter, with such strength of character as you have relayed to us of Sammie - she's an amazing person that lived a wonderful life, loved and was loved by so many... 3 minutes would seem way to short of a time to sum up her strength, her courage, and her grace. I'm sure you'll do it perfectly.

[Jen Eagan]

Thank you. I sure hope she would have liked what I'm doing... working on the funeral programs today- needed a break from the slideshow- but I got some really nice folded cardstock since it's cheaper to print at home on nice paper than it would be to go to kinkos and print on yucky paper... I think she would have liked that, too.
It still doesn't feel real that she is really gone. :(

[marylouise]

Jen, she will never truely be gone, as Sammie will live on in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her and all those who's lives she touched.
Hugs

[Teresa Howell]

I want you to know I am praying for you and your family. God Bless You.

[Tammy]

Jen~ the slideshow you put together for Sam's memorial was absolutely beautiful~ I laughed and cried at the same time through the whole thing. She loved to be outside huh? :) Amazing job~
Thinking of you and your family~

[Leila]

Jen, the slideshow and things you are doing can be so therapeutic! What a blessing you are for all that you are doing. Your in our thoughts and prayers!

[Kerry]

Jen,
The slide show I was hoping you would put up for the rest of us to see. I checked in tonight and I was all ready to watch. It took my breath away. So many good memories and I was glad they were able to capture them. My favorite for some odd reason was her jumping into the water. I guess she looked so free and having fun it fit her... Sam had a beautiful smile and nobody will forget that. I see this slide show and it just in one simple statement. She was loved! Jen you did an awesome job and deserve a hug for all your work and grieving at the same time of the loss of Sam. You might not see it now but she is watching over you and thanks you for all you done and how you made a difference in her life. Take Care and God Bless and Thank you for all you done and included us in your loss.

Kerry
Mother of Olivia,Sarah,Lane and Heavenly Angel Mallory