…shortly after midnight this morning. Thank you, TeamLesa, for your love and support.
You Waiting
After you relapsed
I kept remembering
you on that first night
dazzling
wearing my white
shirt at the top
of the stairs.
Starting fresh
I climbed
step by step toward
you waiting.
After you relapsed
I kept dreaming
I found you simply
gone or watched you taken
away to some miraculous city.
Each time, waking in darkness
my hand needed your face
happy to find you
once more.
Then I dreamt
we graduated, and I
knew we would not see
each other for a long time.
But I found a bell
around my neck and I
knew by having it
you would recognize me
when we met again.
So now I hope
that at the end
when I climb
step by step
the star-strewn stairs
our bell will ring
and in that final
dazzling white
I will find
you waiting.
She was much loved. And that….is a successful life.
Lesa was an inspiration to everyone! She touched so many lives! I learned so much from her, as a teacher, but more as a person! I love you!
She’s already missed. She was so talented, strong, intelligent, creative, loved, inspirational and so much more. Will be thinking of her, you, Cory and Bryce.
Lesa lived life fully, loved others freely, and laughed with true joy in her heart. She inspired all of us to be a better teacher, a kinder friend, and a more loving human being.
Bruce, Cory, Lia, Bryce, and to all her extended family and friends – you are in my prayers. Not only prayers for comfort and peace now…but prayers to live lives of integrity as she would have wanted.
TeamLesa sits quietly in awe of a beautiful lady.
Holding all of you in prayer and in the assurance of that hope.
I’ve worn shirts and jerseys for many ‘teams’ in my life. None matters more to me, none did I wear or will I wear with more meaning and pride. I want to live as fully in this life as did Lesa; with as much courage and vibrancy. I’m very sad; I’m very grateful.
Bruce, we are still on this team with you and the boys and pause in prayer for comfort and presence for you all, trusting that we can support in the days ahead.
We are so thankful we could be with you and Lesa over the weekend. We’re thankful for friendship beginning as teenagers back in Iowa. And I’m grateful Lesa was my Chemo mentor this past year. I’ll miss our wee hour chats and emails. She guided me through the maze of meds. Our love and good thoughts to you, Cory and Bryce. Rodney-Colleen
Bruce, Just when I was getting to know her, she is gone. What a wonderful, vibrant, outgoing example of love. I am so sorry for her loss. Blessings to you and your family in the days ahead.
Bruce,Cory & Bryce – My thoughts are with and my heart goes out to you. As you well know she was cherished by so many. Lesa invested her time and love in family and friends. She was so special to so many people. This is way too soon. We love you.
Lesa taught my kids at John Nowlin ten years ago. There are some people in life who just light a spark and are special – Lesa was one of those people. We were so blessed to have her as a part of our lives and my heart breaks for you in your loss. She was an inspiration to us all and she will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy Laster & Chris, Ryan, & Beth Laster
Bruce, you gave Lesa a lifetime of gentle, appreciative, and understanding love.Matchless. You were a steadfast companion, full of courage to match hers on her difficult life journey.
Bruce, Lesa was more than a distant cousin, but a light that brightens my life even without seeing each other often. You did it well. I will continue to carry you all in my thoughts. Penny
Kleenex doesn’t make enough tissue for this. I love you, Lesa. I love you, Bruce.
Chris
Kirk and I both send our love.
I will miss Lesa so much. She will remain my (s)hero. Lesa helped me so much when I was first diagnosed with myeloma. She was always so encouraging – telling me there was life on the other side of all the cancer treatment and challenges. And there is. Not just a getting-back-to-normal-routines kind of life, but an expanded view and understanding of what life truly is.
I’m sure her view is even more expanded now. And filled with joy. I celebrate her life here. And the new life she has entered – her birthday into heaven. At the same time we grieve the loss of such a bright light in our world.
Bruce – may you and the family be surrounded in comfort at this time of transition. Blessings surround you.
You’re a wonderful poet, Bruce! Blessings!
Lesa was born on the exact same day as my brother, Jeffrey. Lesa NEVER forgot this fact. She always sent me LOVE on his birthday. She knew how to savor Life. I love her! always have, always will.
Lesa was my first lesson in belonging. Six year old me knew that I couldn’t possibly belong to such uptight people who made me eat vegetables and never wanted me to have ANY fun…but then there was Lesa. If SHE could be part of such a family, then maybe there was room for me. And because I couldn’t continue the “switched at birth”/adopted fantasy without losing my claim to her, I decided that my parents were my parents.
Sure it’s convoluted logic, but I was a little kid and it worked for me. I cannot tell you what you both have meant to me, but I hope you both know.
I don’t know how to live in a world where she is not. Yet I know I will carry her with me, always.
We were blessed to see Lesa on a daily here at the Blue Springs YMCA. We are just now being introduced to this blog and so many of these details because as you can imagine Lesa would never let you she was suffering. Our hearts and prayers go out to Team Lesa! Her smiling face will be missed by her friends here at the YMCA.
Staff & Members
Blue Springs, YMCA
Lesa was my son’s 2nd grade teacher at John Nowlin in 2007-2008 and quickly became so special to our family. Her love of learning and her love for our kids was so wonderful and comforting. We remember her love of Robert Sabuda pop up books and she shared this excitement with our kids. We have several of these beautiful books and put them around our Christmas tree every year. She has been part of our holiday memories ever since. We miss her greatly but are so grateful for all she has given us.
Love,
Amy, Craig, Clay and Carly
PS Lesa, I finished my triathlon!
[...] morning to find several posts from friends of my parents saying goodbye to the woman, who died shortly after midnight on Tuesday morning. All day long there was a steady beat of remembrances and tributes to her on Facebook, from people [...]
Lesa quite simply saw the extraordinary in the ordinary.She lived her life that way! Such a breath of fresh air! Lesa always saw her cup as half full, not half empty. Lesa’s life journey was powerful….she worked to ensure she made a positive difference in the lives of others and left this world a better place! Lesa was one of those special treasures I have been incredibly blessed to have in my life.!!
My thoughts and prayers go to each of you, Bruce, Cory, Lia and Bryce
Your best poem…..ever……th
Bruce, we are thinking about you and the boys—-thank you for sharing the special times and the hard times with us through your blog. Lesa will always be in our hearts.
We will see you soon.
Barry and Bob