Memories to last a lifetime!

From Steve:

Hey there, I have so many people wanting to share pics, memories,and other ways to remember Dee Bracebridge McCullough, and I'm rather digitally …inept? I have asked Scott Cannon to spearhead collecting things in a montage, or mosaic, with pics, quips and stuff ..?? I'm not even sure what I'm looking/asking for, but, kind of a visual memoir for her, I guess? If you have pics/memories etc, or can help arrange, layout, etc, PLEASE go through Scott, first, so we can do this right, to do her justice, b/c, I know if left to me, it will never come together. Again, Thank You all, for your love and hugs 'n' prayers. we're hanging in here.

 We've got you covered, Steve!

Scott and I have plans to put together a slideshow or online gallery for the things that people share.  We also are looking at ways to get them bound into a book (or several books) so that Steve and the kids have a physical memory book to pull out when they need a little sunshine from Dee.

"How can we help, Jenn and Scott?"

I'm so glad you asked!

Most importantly - get your thoughts, stories, songs, pictures, videos, scribbles, poems ready to share. It can be something that you've created - or something that is important to you. Or a letter to Steve and the kids. Or anything else that you'd like to include!

Then you will send them to us!  We'll figure out how to make it look pretty for the slideshow and book that we're planning, if that's not your forte. (Scott is an artist and I am a photographer, among other things.) And if it's video or audio, we have that covered in our plans as well. You send us what you'd like - we'll make it work.

Logistics:
Written items - Feel free to email them directly to Scott or myself.  You can post them here as comments if you'd like.
Images or Video/Audio files - Please email these to Scott's Dropbox account
 **Note: This will automatically upload them to our online storage, to preserve the quality of what you send.

Imagine that you're writing in a guest book or signing a yearbook.  Tell the rest of us the funny stories and sweet memories you have.  Sing a song.  Bake a cake.  Simply say "I love you".

Ripple Effect of Goodness and Kindness

Doing good holds the power to transform us on the inside, and then ripple out in ever-expanding circles that positively impact the world at large. ~Shari Arison

Dee did good. Was good. IS good. As we have all witnessed in the last few days, she positively impacted the world at large - way more than I bet she knew. She would be blushing from all this attention. And probably hiding behind Steve's shoulder.

My husband, Scott, started a Go Fund Me campaign. We didn't know what else we could do - but we knew we could give people a tangible way to start taking action. We set a goal of $1000, knowing what a blessing it could be to Steve and the kids. Hoping that somehow all our $5 and $20 would slowly add up. At the time that I am writing this - we have raised over $3000 in one day. One Day!

We don't have a set amount. We don't have a time frame. We just want to do what we can to help. To show Steve and the kids that we love them. And to help build a cushion so that Steve doesn't have finances as an immediate worry.

We love you, Dee. These gifts are our promises to you that we will love on your family for you. With you. Because of you.

We love you, Steve. We will do what we can to help you not only survive but to thrive.

We love you, Cory, Krystal, Brynn, Embyr, Talyn, Trevyn, and Aryanna.

The sad news

For many of us, the news that Dee has left this earth was received on Sunday, January 25th when Steve posted on her Facebook wall:

Too all, Dee/MG/Wyllow was found dead late Fri , Family is in mournins, HusbandSteve McCullough) Is making this post.. corener has not determined cause of death, please dont keep asking, I will share what I know as I can. Asking for Love, Understanding, Prayers, and Huggglleeezzz. Saddly~ Fory

I had to read it several times before I was convinced that someone wasn't playing a mean, horrible, terrible trick on us. But I know that writing. I know Fory. I know those "Huggglleeezzz".

Reality slowly sank in. Very, very slowly.

I write - because it helps me process. Because it is part of how I minister to others. Because I need words to help me make sense of things. So I started posting:

Oh my beloved friend, I will miss you! Your love and joy and humor and faith. My heart breaks for Steve and the kids, but I know that you are in heaven and at peace. Still, the knowing doesn't ease the hurting. Not yet.
Dee, you are already missed. It is almost more than my heart can take right now.

As her friends began to process this awful news, I watched and thought and searched for words:

Grief is a funny business. I was literally speechless when Scott called me. Shocked by something so unimaginable that words, my trusty tools, escaped me. Along with my breath.
And then came sobs. Heart-rending, sloppy, noisy, ugly sobs.
For most of the rest of the day, I have watched this beautiful circle of friends cycle around between memories with laughter... And the ugly cry that fills the void where speech fails us.
Now, as memories and love take control again, forgetfulness and absent-mindedness begin to appear.
Water left running. Food uncooked. Thoughts left unfinished. Life... Left incomplete.

We started to take action. Many of us changed our Facebook profile pictures and cover photos to things that remind us of our girl. Flowers. The beach. Flowers on the beach. Moonkin Hatchlings.

And we wanted to do something. More on that something coming up next...

We used to sing this song at the summer camp I worked at. It was a way to say good-bye to another summer while showing that it would always be in your heart and memories. It is the song that keeps playing in my head when I think of Dee.

Today

by: John Denver

"Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away, 'ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.

I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover, you'll know who I am by the songs that I sing.
I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover, who cares what tomorrow shall bring?

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrow shall all pass away, 'ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today.

I can't be contented with yesterday's glory, I can't live on promises winter to spring.
Today is my moment, now is my story, I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing.

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,
I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine.
A million tomorrows shall all pass away, 'ere I forget all the joy that is mine, today."

I Do Not Think My Song Will End - Johnny Hathcock

I do not think my song will end
While flowers, grass and trees
Abound with birds and butterflies
For I am one with these.

And I believe my voice will sound
Upon the whispering wind
So long as even one remains
Among those I call "friend."

I shall remain in hearts and minds
Of loved ones that I knew,
And in the rocks and hills and streams
Because I love those, too.

So long as love and hope and dreams
Abide in earth and sky,
Weep not for me, though I be gone.
I shall not really die.