Spirit

A piece written for Cathryn's Funeral Service, in memory of both Cathryn and Corynne, by Kristen Bouchard

It is very hard for all of us to understand the turn of events of the past year.  We feel such sorrow for Cathryn and Corynne.  But they are not sad.  They lived short, but incredibly happy lives, despite their having to fight a terrible disease.  They did not show many signs of being upset about having this disease – they still smiled and laughed and enjoyed every day that they lived, surrounded by family who loved them and tried to help make  their lives as full as possible.  So many people are now having to cope with health problems like cancer and more common diseases, and I think that Cathryn and Corynne had a great purpose in helping to show us how to fight without complaint or worry, and how to enjoy every moment here on earth.

I think it will take years and years to uncover the many purposes that Cathryn and Corynne had for their lives, and we may never understand all of them.  However, I feel that I am beginning to understand a very great purpose that they had here.  Though our family has been through many tough life changing events in the past 5 years, I have never really turned to faith, religion, or a relationship with God to cope with those events.  In facing this tragic situation and knowing that our girls had an illness that would take their lives, I didn’t know what else to do but to turn to God and ask for His help, His strength, His love.  And He was there.  He was there through every hospital stay with Corynne.  He was there helping me to create this Million Dollar Mission and a website for finding a cure for NPC.  He was there through the support of neighbors and friends and family who were willing to help us in any way they could.  He was there through this church and its people, like Stacey, who came to our rescue as well.  He was there through each day that I thought I could not go on after Corynne died, and I trust that He will continue to be there throughout the days ahead. 

So through all of this, I have to tell you that when people started writing e-mails to us and sending cards and saying things about how much our faith was an inspiration and how their lives had forever been changed by Cathryn and Corynne, I was in awe.  I could not believe how many people were so touched by these two little girls that they did not even know.  As my dear friend, Beth Kleiber, helped me to realize – the faith that they instilled and the relationship with God they fostered in me, their mother, and countless others who knew them or maybe just knew of them - is a miracle.  The number of people who's lives have been changed forever touched and inspired by two little girls who did not even live 2 years on this earth - that is a miracle.  All along, we have been praying for a miracle – we were just praying for a different one – that these girls would be healed.  But God provides miracles in many ways, and they are not always what we expect.  God did not ignore our requests that he heal them, but they had to be healed in heaven.  I thank Beth, an angel here on earth, for helping me to realize this miracle, and for assurance that these children who have led us all to Christ will be heralded in heaven.

I feel like this is just the beginning of the miracle of Cathryn and Corynne.  Through the coming years, none of us will ever be the same, and their lives will continue to inspire and change our paths forever.  Their lives were not in vain, as long as we remember this and carry on their memory. 

So please remember them, today and always, and thank God for the miracle of Cathryn and Corynne. 

Most importantly though – every time you think of them, don’t forget to SMILE, because they both always did.   

A Poem for our Sweet Angels

(sent from Kristen's cousin Karen Straw)

We can't know why the lily has so brief a time to bloom
in the warmth of sunlight's kiss upon it's face.
Before it folds it's frangrance in and bids the world
good-night to rest its beauty in a gentler place.
But we can know that nothing that is loved is ever lost,
and no one who has ever touched a heart can
really pass away, because some beauty lingers on
in each memory of which they've been a part.

Corynne Michelle Bouchard, age 1, went to be with the Lord on May 4, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. She was born September 7, 2006 in Frisco, Texas to Kristen L. (Kumin) and Justin M. Bouchard.

Corynne fought an amazing battle against Niemann-Pick Disease. Her fighting spirit and ever-smiling face have touched the hearts of all who loved her, forever.

Cathryn Elizabeth Bouchard, age 1 year went to be with the Lord on July 22, 2008. She was born on September 7, 2006 in Frisco, Texas to Kristen L. (Kumin) and Justin M. Bouchard.

Cathryn is together again with her twin sister Corynne Michelle.  Her fiesty personality and her delighful laugh will be forever remembered by all who knew her and loved her so dearly.

Cathryn and Corynne are survived by their parents, Justin and Kristen Bouchard of Frisco, Texas; brothers, Caleb Bouchard and Colin Bouchard; twin sister, Cathryn Bouchard; grandparents, Betty Ann Kumin of Snellville, Georgia, Debbi Bouchard of Lawrenceville, Georgia; great-grandparents, Alphee and Pauline Bouchard of Plantation, Florida; aunts and uncles, Megan and Tom Vasey, Jaime and Ben Haffner; cousins, Alexia Vasey, Ava Haffner.