Date: Sat, Nov 25, 2000,
To: cn1@webtv.net
Subject: God Bless You Cullen

Hello Cullen,
      I just finished visiting your lovely website and signing your guest book. You know I do think a Guardian Angel meant for your site to be sent my way. You see I recently lost my daddy, he was 67 years old. At age 42 he had a massive heart attack and was rushed to the veterans hospital in Durham Virginia where a doctor from Duke University performed emergency quadrupal heart surgery on him. He survived but they still was not giving him but 6 months at the longest to live. He beat those odds and always kept such a positive attitude in life and thru out his health problems. He suffered several heart attacks afterwards thru out the years but again held on. In Oct. 1984 my mother, sister and I found my oldest sister murdered. That was the hardest thing I have ever been thru in my life and we were all hesitant as to how to break the bad news to my dad. Unfortunately this caused him to have a major stroke leaving one side of his body crippled and later had several mini strokes, again he beat the odds. He never stopped believing in God to make him where he could function again in life. Later he found out he was diabetic and sugar levels ran very high, anywhere from 200 to 600 and was on two insulin shots a day along with about 20 other pills he had to take for his health conditions, but he never let this stop him. My dad always told us not to be scared when you are faced with illness that the fear is what makes it all worse to stay positive and to fight with all you have left and most of all never give up hope cause when you do you will only make yourself worse. In Nov. of 1999, Thanksgiving day, both my legs finally gave way, I had been fighting the pain for years and had been diagnosed with more then a handful of illnesses. I ended up in a wheelchair at that time at an ripe old age of 35, ha. Well I never once complained or cried even though the thought would cross my mind I must admit, but whenever it did I would think about my dad and the way he had fought all of these years. Later I decided to turn what could have been a bad state of depression or giving up into making others laugh at silly little things I would say just to make them laugh. This is what helped me, along with what my dad had told me thru out the years to deal with what was happening to me and to know it would not always be that way. April of 2000 I was walking again after a major back surgery on top of all other illnesses I have but "Praise God" I knew he would not let me down if I just kept my faith and beat the odds of what doctors had told me as well. Sadly my dad at age 67 passed away Sept. 26th 2000, he went in to the veterans hospital in Salem Virginia with double pneumonia and due to all of his health problems they told us after a week of giving him antibiotics there was nothing else they could do so might as well send him home to take them. On the next morning when he was supposed to be coming home, and us on our way to pick him up somehow another he fell out of bed breaking his right hip and hitting his head causing internal bleeding on the brain. His heart rate was dropping and stopped dropping at 10% for the time being. At times he knew us and would talk to us not making sense all of the time but I was thankful he did recognize who we were. The doctors did not expect him to make it thru the night but again my dad hung on and on and I know if anyone had willpower it was my dad, after all he had beat so many odds and the obstacles he went thru before. I never gave up on my dad even though I knew it did not look good and according to his doctors he would not come home again. My mom and sister did not think he was going to make it either. My dad, two days before he passed away, talked to me for about 2 hours with all the sense in the world, we laughed, talked, prayed together and shared stories about when I was small and daddy's little spoiled rotten girl and all the things we did together. He would reach over and pull me close to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me he loved me with all of his heart. I asked daddy again did he want to say a prayer, and which he did, it was a very pretty prayer and during the time he was praying my guardian angel or God spoke to my heart and told me that it was time for daddy to go home, not our home, but the home God had prepared for him, so after daddy said Amen, it was very hard for me to do this but I said daddy I know you have fought so hard all of these years and you have really been blessed from age 42 to 67 when doctors did not give you but 6 months to live and back then you did not have all of these health problems as you do now and I want you to know if you want to keep fighting I will be happy to keep you here with me, but if ever you have gotten tired and do not want to fight any longer it is alright I am not going to feel like you have given up, I will just know you have went home to be with Jesus and to watch over us from up above. He got the biggest smile on his face and started singing to me, doctors came in and said they did not know how on earth he had the wind to sing as he was. My dad always sang gospel songs in church and was in a gospel quartet before his health declined so badly. Every Sunday he would get up in church sometimes with my mom or sometimes by himself and sing his heart out he loved God and always praised him and gave him thanks. I came home to Danville that day after kissing him goodbye and somehow I knew in my heart it was the last time I would get to see him while here on earth, I did not want to go back again I just wanted to remember him as I did that very day and I had shared that with my mom and sister and told them daddy was not going to come home this time and it was not going to be long now. My mom called from the hospital to tell me dad passed away and of course I cried that is a humanly thing we do when we loose a loved one we hold so dear but I know my dad is no longer suffering and is happy and singing with the rest of the angels and is right beside my sister in heaven. I felt the need that day to go to the cemetary where my sister is buried to talk with her and to let her know that daddy would be joining her shortly but when I got there and kneeled down at her grave the words came over me. Susan I already know you see daddy beat you up here he is with me right now and we both love you, do not worry we both are rejoicing with our heavenly father. I have peace in my heart even though I miss them both so badly I know they are in a much better place then we here on earth are.

      I am so sorry did not mean for this to be so long, but as you can see I have been touched in so many ways. And after visiting your website it was like hearing my dad speak all over again. You both have and had so much in common so I know you are a good man and God has blessed you and given you a chance at life once again and I am very happy for you. Keep your faith as I know you will, it will get us thru all of the difficult times we are facing or may face down the road. I was coming to Florida about every summer up until last year, where do you live in Florida? I have a brotherlaw that lives in Lakeland Florida. Just maybe one of these days when I get back I could meet you face to face and give you a big hug for all the inspiration you are giving to others.

Much love,hugs,prayers
Susan

"Note: this is a different "Susan" from the first one."

Hi Cullen... I'm having one of my sad days that happens every now and then. So it made me feel awfully good to read your message today. I can only hope that someday I may be lucky enough to receive a message from one of Andrew's organ recipients.
Yesterday I received a very kind letter from a lady my husband used to work with when we lived in Miami. She basically said she couldn't find words to write until now and sent me a message that you may enjoy and want to share with others. Here it is:

To Remember Me

At a certain moment a doctor will determine that my brain has ceased to function and that, for all intents and purposes, my life has stopped.
When that happens, do not attempt to instill artificial life into my body by the use of a machine. And don't call this my "deathbed". Call it my "bed of life", and let my body be taken from it to help others lead fuller lives.
Give my sight to a man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face or love in the eyes of a woman.
Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.
Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.
Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body, and find a way to make a crippled child walk.
Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow.
If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all my prejudice against my fellow man.
Give my sins to the devil. Give my soul to God.
If by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.
If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

(Anonymous Author)
Needless to say, I was very moved by her thoughts. I feel the need to do something further to promote organ donation. If you know how to contact a local organization, let me know. What a wonderful standing stone for my son if I could use his passing to raise awareness for this incredible gift to others. He somehow learned the lessons of life early. I can only try to follow his example.

Thanks for all you do.
Kathie

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Dear Cullen and Mary,

My ear infection has greatly improved!  Thank you for sending a special Guardian Angel my way.

My marriage is also better.  B..... and I are going to a wonderful caring man who is a Marriage and Family Therapist every week.

There is one other obstacle that I would like prayer for.  I have a breast lump in my left breast.  I bruised it very badly two months ago, and the lump was much larger before.  Now it is smaller but it has not gone away!  I am very fearful.
   Please send an angel to minister to me, and for a complete healing in my left breast.

There is not one week that goes by, that I don't come by your website and stay for at least a half hour or more.  God Bless You for having this here for so many of us.

I feel like I'm your and Mary's friend although I've never met you. I'm 51 years old, live in Texas, mother of 2 and grandmother of 4. (All girls.)

  My husband, and I have been married almost 2 years, and a lot of it has been abusive.  He was out of work for over a year.  Now he has a full time job at a Christian Television Station here, and is trying to work at our marriage. I truly love him.

My son is a two time survivor of testicular cancer that had mestastized all over his body.  He is doing well after two years, Praise God!

My Mother died 3 years ago of Flesh-eating bacteria after going to a dentist for a routine crown lengthening procedure.  I was her only child.  My stepfather locked me out of my Mother's house when she was sick, and had an alarm system put on the house.  I couldn't get to any of my Mother's things, papers, purse, or anything else.  He got everything.  He sold her house (my real father had paid for it) and sold her car and everything else.  He married a 43 year old woman about 6 months after my Mother died. My stepfather was 74 years old.  It is all about "forgiveness" now. What's done is done.  My Mother would have never wanted things to turn out the way they did!

My previous husband, died from a 6 month battle with lung cancer 4 years ago.  We lived in Columbus, Ohio then.  We were going to grow old together.  We were soul mates, and he fought so hard to live.  The cancer was just too much for his body.  We talked about his dying, and he said that he would be looking in on me, and that I couldn't DOUBT - that I had to BELIEVE!  He said, "I will be by your side."

You can see, I have had my share of tragedies.  However, I have come to know the Lord in a more intimate way, and also depend on Angels.

  Well, you said to write if I ever wanted to, and I did. I just wanted to share some of me with you all.

You inspire, you calm fears, you provide a safe haven for those of us who are confused, hurting, sad or need a blessing to visit your website.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Jan H

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Hi to all of my Silicone sisters,
my family and friends.

This SITE is beautiful; but it has more that just something we read, it has beautiful pictures, music that will bring tears to your eyes, stories that will bring you to your knees... A site that means the difference between LIFE and DEATH!!! CULLEN, is a man that I found about a year ago, he had received a heart-transplant, he was offering help to anyone that needed him, a survivor. This reminds me of US, Ladies. and our plea for help! Remember our good Friend, that now has left us, Walt Monger....! Cullen reminds me of him, ready to help.....Would you PLEASE go to his site and VOTE for him, he answered my call about a year and half ago, the same time that I asked all of you for your PRAYERS! for my cousin Melvin Jones, in lives in Florida, He was at deaths door, and without a heart-transplant, SOON.....Death was certain!!! You gave me his prayers, and they were answered, he received a heart of a blessed 16 year old, an unselfish act on him and his family!!! Today Melvin,just after a few months is doing wonderful, he has been on TBN, other places he has traveled and told his story, SING.....should hear his religious tape of songs, that he made for me. He has always loved music, and is very good at it, and God has given him another chance at life, no signs at all of Heart rejection!!! God does send Miracles.... Cullen.....called Melvin, kept check on him, even went to the hospital to visit him, by his home.....A Stranger or an ANGEL!!! Ladies we sure could use an Angel like him...Go to his site and click onto the WHITE ROSE AND GIVE HIM YOUR VOTE!!! after viewing the site, I'm sure you will be happy to do so. This has been "Thanksgiving "!!! some gave their life, so others could live!!! Read about Columbine High School, Princess Diane is beautiful, and soo much more. Thanks to all of you, and God will deliver us our Miracle to my Silicone Sisters! Hope each had a wonderful, Thanksgiving.
I love you all,
Samantha

FAITH is the Reality of things hoped for and the Certainty of things Unseen. Hebrews11:1

On Nov. 1, 1986, a corporate jet owned by Coca-Cola arrived at Elisabeth City, North Carolina carrying the CEO and Acting-President of the Word Foundation and several members of the board of directors. Shortly after they had left the airport for a meeting in town, a series of events began to unfold which drove one man to create what we know today as the Corporate Angel Network or "Angel Flight." A Coast Guard Falcon 20 was beginning its takeoff roll at Elisabeth City when it blew both front tires causing the jet to veer off the runway and run into a fence line. The jet was headed to Memphis, TN to pick up a little girl by the name of Crystal Grant and carry her on to Good Samaritans Children's Hospital in Houston, TX to undergo a liver transplant. The pilots of the Coca-Cola plane watched the events and slowly began to hear the stories about the jet's mercy mission. After a few hours the CEO and his passengers returned to the airport and witnessed the scene and asked the pilots what was going on. Once the CEO had learned of the situation he asked to be taken to the Coast Guard Station so he could speak with the station commander. Once there he asked him if there was anything he could offer or do. The Commander said, in a frustrated voice, "Yeah, can you make miracles happen. We need a jet and we need one fast." The CEO just smiled and said you've got one and pointed to his company jet. Within two hours the Coca-Cola jet was on its way to Memphis and the situation seemed under control. But unbeknownst to them a similar scene was playing out in San Diego where the donor organ was being prepared for transport to Houston. The aircraft lined up to take it to Houston had lost its ability to pressurize its cabin and a similar scramble was under way to find a replacement. Calls went out and everyone made excuses from corporate CEOs to airline managers as to why they just couldn't help out. Once word made its way to Elisabeth City, the situation was reaching its last window of opportunity for the surgeons. Time was now becoming an enemy. Again the CEO of Coca-Cola was called to help out and he jumped on the phone with his pilots now in Houston. They told him there was just no way they could go and retrieve the organ and then return to Houston in time for the operation to take place. The CEO began to think and ponder what would be speedy enough to retrieve it in time. A call was placed to the Governor of Georgia and he then placed a call to the Governor of California requesting help. On that day sitting on the ramp at NAS Miramar were 6 brand new F/A-18A's and 2 F/A-18B's (2-seaters) wearing the colors of the Blue Angels, as the team prepared to debut them to the world on November 6. It only took four phone calls to reach the base commander and 2 more to reach the commander of the "Blues." 2 minutes later, Navy Lt. Tony Less, in Blue Angel #8, was gear up eastbound with his precious cargo strapped into the rear Martin Baker ejection seat-held in place by four dress belts. Unbeknownst to the family or anyone in Houston, while all of this was unfolding, the local media had interviewed the little girl moments before she was placed into the prepping room for her surgery. A reporter asked her if she was scared. She said, "No I'm not worried. My mommy told me that my Angel would watch over me." It was an ironic statement indeed. At that moment Blue Angel #8 was coming off an ANG tanker over New Mexico and making a mad dash for Houston. The clock was still ticking, and with each movement of the hand went further against the surgeons. With only 90 minutes to spare, Angel #8 turned final to Houston's Hobby Runway 4L and rolled out to a stop surrounded by police cars and an ambulance to rush the organ to the hospital. To sum up this story, the transplant was successful and Crystal returned home to Memphis in time for Thanksgiving. The CEO of Coca-Cola lobbied the Fortune 100 companies to create Corporate Angel Network, the name inspired by the Blue Angels. To this day Blue Angel #8 wears a small silhouette of an Angel praying on the canopy rail and the name "Crystal" written underneath. A little over a month after the surgery the "Blues" made a planned detour to Memphis to say hello to a little girl named Crystal. And it was on that day, December 18, 1986, that Crystal met her Angel, the Angel who saved her life. That was fourteen years ago. Today, Crystal is 24 and every year she is personally invited to attend a show near her home in Memphis as the guest of honor to the Blue Angels.

How was that for an "up lifter", huh?

John Dendy - Dendy & Associates

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"The Cross"

A young man was at the end of his rope, seeing no way out, dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy of a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief, said, "Thank you, Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

(Author Unknown)

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined.

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A couple of letters from a Donor Mom

My 18 year old daughter died very suddenly from a brain hemorrhage - I was there at the time and was able to resuscitate her although she never regained consciousness.
I have been so glad to read of your near-death experiences --- it has been so difficult to come to terms with losing Alison and so to be able to believe that she was not frightened is a comfort. She was an organ donor and 6 people benefited from her Gift of Life.
Your site is sooo beautiful!

Thank you Cullen,

Even in the darkest moments of my grief I have always still been grateful that Alison's death was NOT in vain and that she has made such a difference to so many people. I will never get over losing her and our lives are so changed since her death but I live on in the hope of meeting her again some day!
Once again your web-site is BEAUTIFUL!

Majella

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You're invited to visit my other sites.

Click Here To Choose Sites Cullen's Guardian Angels Cullen's Slide Show Cullen's Photo Gallery Cullen's Thumbnails Cullen's "Somewhere in Time" "To Love" "In Memory of Joie" Mind & Body Near Death Experiences Legend of the Mustard Seed Class of '55 Cullen's Favorites Index Cullen's Work Index Cullen's F-Key Saver

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