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Barb and I will be flying to Vancouver Friday morning. Barb and I lead a very public life here in Letterville. We've always considered you friends and neighbors. There's not much about our lives that is secret.
Many of you know the story of my Daughter Heather. She's 32 and lives in Surrey, BC. Until we received a phone call in September 1996, I had no knowledge of her existence. To make a long story short, she was a "miscarriage" that was secretly born at a Convent on Vancouver Island and adopted 2 days later.
After her call, we started communicating via the Internet. DNA testing confirmed Heather was indeed my Daughter and we flew out to meet her.
Heather has not had what any of us would consider an attractive life. By the age of 12 she was well on her way to beginning a lifelong struggle with heroin and cocaine addiction. When we first met she was on a methadrone program and working as a bookeeper. Her future looked promising. During the next couple years, she visited us and got to meet her Brothers and Sisters.
It was too good to last. For the past 5 years, she has lived on the streets of Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a very high crime rate. We went searching for her 3 years ago. In the process, we learned the hell of drug addiction. Heather's World is an area of approx. 1 square mile. Her whole day is spent doing whatever it takes to get money to support her habit. Anyone that has a loved one in this situation, knows the frustration, helpless and anger us parents endure.
Late Monday we received a call from a nurse at the Surrey Hospital. Heather had been brought in with a serious blood condition known as sepsis. Those that are interested can learn more about this condition at http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/1760.html
In a nutshell, Heather is battling for her life. Her kidneys are not functioning tonight and she may have to go on a dialysis machine in the morning.
I'm sitting here at 5am telling you all this for a couple reasons. At times of crisis like this, I find it great therapy to sit here at the keyboard and pour my guts out to my Letterville Family. I can't see you but I know you are there.
I also want to ask for your prayers at this time. Her life and death battle with this hedeous infection is just the beginning of the real battle if she finally makes a decision to overcome her addiction. Many have told me to stop hoping, but I'm not one to run from impossible situations. I still believe in miracles and the untapped possibilities that exist within my Daughter.
Our plan is to remain in the Vancouver area for at least 2 weeks. I'm taking the laptop along and we'll look after the website to the best of our ability. We're hoping to find time to see Dan, Donna and others in the area. A trip to the Island is at the top of our wish list. We've been to Vancouver twice and never saw Susan or the others that live on Vancouver Island.
If you live in the Surrey area, and would like to get together, we'd love to hear from you via e-mail. It's always comforting to know a Letterhead is nearby when on the road. Finding a hotel with high speed access is still a challenge. If we get stuck, I'd like to know there is someone nearby that might be willing to allow us to borrow their connection from time to time. We'll gladly take you out for dinner in return.
I've got to get to bed. There's all sorts of loosehat need to be tied up before we go. Looks like we'll miss Mass Mayham this year, but we know you'll understand. Thanks Letterville! Life would be far less sweet without you.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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My thoughts and best wishes go with you Steve, I feel in a way that you and Barb are part of my family too, since I first logged on to your web site in November of 1995 and we got to know each other, I have been here everyday since, checking out our community/family, learning about all sorts of folk, some of their troubles, some of their highs and lows.... just like a REAL...family...maybe not speaking much... just sitting back watching the posts/conversations learning, laughing...fighting, whining....just like a real family, the family we call letterheads, that family I'm sure is wishing you and Barb all the best... hurry on home to Letterville.
-------------------- John "sarge" Serjeant Executive Director of "Hardly Normal Signs" sarge.signs@bigpond.com 3 Balyando Drive Nerang Queensland 4211 Australia 61 07 5578 2495 Posts: 255 | From: Nerang, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Aug 1999
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Steve... My thoughts and prayers are with both you and Barb. And a special one for Heather that maybe this will be the bottom beneath the bottom. After that, maybe her life can finally change for the better. Love Yins. Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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my thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. i hope heather can overcome her addiction and fight the other battles that need her full strength. take care.
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Hey Steve and Barb, I'm sending all my prayers and good energy along with you. I pray for Heather to be strong. Been down that addiction road...it's hell and a long way back, but it is possible. Keep believing that. ........Kristie
-------------------- Kristie Byrnes Paintbrush Graphics 6126 Big Cut Rd. Mt. Carroll, IL 61053 rugbyrnes@hotmail.com (563) 357-7614 Posts: 90 | From: Thomson,IL | Registered: Dec 2002
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You have our prayers. Its hard for parents to face situations like this, but probably harder still for Heather. We're praying for the best outcome.
-------------------- Rove Gratz Gratz Signs 342 Walden Station Drive Macon, GA 31216 rovegratz@aol.com Home Page: http://rove-342.tripod.com Posts: 861 | From: Macon, GA 31216 | Registered: Jan 2004
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Hang in there! All of us in Letterville are thinking good thoughts for you and I'm sure your names will all be mentioned in quite a few prayers in the near future! Wish there was more we could do....
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I am sorry to hear of Heather's continuing difficulties. My thoughts will be with you guys in the coming days. I hope that things will start looking up for Heather and for you and Barb as you face these trying times.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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my thoughts and certainly prayers go out to ya'll we'll be thinking positive thoughts for ya in the coming weeks.have a safe trip, yell if ya need anything.
-------------------- Dan Johnson Straight-Jacket Studios 1030 Williams St. Stinnett,Texas 79083 8068782248 dds37007@yahoo.com Posts: 3 | From: Stinnett,Tx | Registered: Apr 2004
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Steve and Barb, my thoughts and prayers are with you. A very frustrating and sad time for you both. But as others have said, change Does and can happen. I wish I acould see you, i'm just across the bridge from Surrey, but am leaving for Oregon in a few hours,I'll try to contact you when I return.
Remember to take Care of Yourselves..
John Lennig / SignRider
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Take care Steve and Barb, I remember you telling me this story at Jackie B's, so sorry she hasn't snapped out of it. Sometimes it takes a lot to snap, and other times some of us never snap. I wish you the best and hopes she comes to realize in everyone's life there comes a turning point. and it's not easy, but it can happen. We'll all be praying for her to get the power she needs to break away, when you get together with her, love plays a big role in recovery. She'll know by you being there she is loved! Keep telling her "she can break away from her addiction"
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Its times like these when one wishes there was more we could do. Please know that we will be thinking about you and your family. Heather should be receiving lots of positive energy from your friends here. We'll try to behave ourselves while you are gone!!
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Steve & Barb: We appreciate your candid honesty in sharing this with us, Steve. Because of that, you will know that there 'are' real people at the end of the keyboard who will share your burden in this whole situation and will pray for you at this time. It is so important to Heather that you are going to see her at this most crucial time in her life. I will remember you all in our prayers and will take this up to our church tonight for prayer. When we are at the end of ourselves, that's when Jesus can come in and show His power and glory if we yield to Him. Trust that this will happen in her heart and life.
I wish you safe travel, stregnth and understanding during this difficult journey you embark on.
I know first hand the hells of drug addition and thank God I got a second chance. I don't have any witty words to write, just know that I have a pit in my heart for what you must be feeling, and you will be prayed for as well as your daughters healing.
Speed safely and God Bless.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Although I only found your site a few months ago, I get a family feel from everyone. This feel comes from the top, you two. I pray that Heather will awaken from her drug state and see how wonderful life can be. With guidance from you and Barb I don't think she can go wrong. You can also show Heather her extended family here at letterville. My thoughts are with you in this time of need. God be with you.
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Steve & Barb, I know this has had a huge impact on your lives and can only hope that she finally has hit the bottom and decided to pull herself up.
Be careful on your travels, know we're only a click away and be sure to take care of yourselves during this time too.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Steve, last I talked you, you had been searching for her for years with rumors to go by. It seems God has brought you to her in the nick of time. Of course we'll pray and send love to Heather.
He is faithful to finish what He has created and just because we stumble doesn't mean He won't take our hand and comfort us when we need Him to! Have faith man and know we really are sincere in our prayers for you and that our God is an awesome God!
Ask Jon Butterworth about faith, say hello to Sue for me when you do!
We get what we look for so thank God ahead of time in good faith and when you claim it, it is yours!
Please have a safe trip and a powerful healing! Here's a hug too!
I remember you and our conversation about your daughter. My prayers are with you and the doctors. She is with you guys now, am rooting for you. Will be in touch, Deb
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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M akes me appreciate my life and trivial things I interpret as problems. You and your daughter are in our thoughts, and we will do what we can to be a support.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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