Allison in Alabama - I have read both of your entries to my guestbook and I have to tell you that when I read your first post, I was like, "WOOOOWWW!"  Truly when I started sharing my story on this site I thought that perhaps my family and friends would surely read it and maybe some others, but I really thought it would be people I knew or could somehow trace...ie..my Aunt Wonder's friend Louise  or some of my friend's friends.  So, I was really surprised to see your post.  Several of my friends even asked me if I'd seen your post.  I live in Texas and you in Alabama, but you may have very well been "Allison in Italy" because that's what it meant to me.  You have given me the inkling (if that's a word) that maybe I really could be instrumental to someone outside of my circle.  I never like to take a kind word or gesture towards me for granted and I felt that I must respond to you to tell you that I am humbled to know that you and others have been inspired by what I've shared and I too thank YOU for sharing your words of encouragement to ME.  I was in tears as I read your second post....THANK YOU!  It was so timely!

To my family, friends, church family, doctors, coworkers, friends of my family, friends of my friends, etc. - Please know that I am truly grateful for the support you've given to me.  Yes...you've probably read this somewhere else on this site and it is very likely you'll read it somewhere else again or I may have already told you several times, but I have to keep telling you what it all means to me.  The reason I have been including names at the bottom of most pages is because I want each of you to know that I've heard you....I hear you....I am hearing you.  Every word of encouragement, every scripture given to me, every act of kindness to me, means so much and I remember each of you and I want you to know that.  If yo name ain't at the bottom it's cause my brain is aging, but my heart remembers.

Thank you Allison in Alabama, Barbara B. Tam, Melinda, Pam R., Ann E., Sis. McNeely, Rev. and Mrs. J. Andrews, Bro. & Sis. Stephens, Jermaine, Aunt Rosena, Aunt Ann, Thelma, Aunt Margaret, Sharon Crump, Moe, Kendrick, Stephanie Moss, Melissa, Mrs. Reed, Ms. Johnnie Miller, Joetta, Talia, Eboni, Gaye B., Jo Shnell, Karen C, Momma C, Poppa C, The Gilstraps.......

October 10, 2007