Rachel Catherine Barnes - Online Memorial Website

When i was in highschool i had a crush on Rachel.  I did't even know she passed until years later. I was working at Annie E. Young cemetary. Something came over me, I followed it, It led me to her stone. I have had dreams of her since. 

...as always. We had an egg hunt today. The kids, who aren't kids any more, seemed to have a good time. Andrew brought his friend Hunter and they have been here a week. Sarah is almost your age when you first got sick. It is so hard to believe that she could be that grown. It's so hard to believe that you're gone and never coming back.

Holidays always bring sadness-I miss you the most on those days. But Easter also brings hope-hope of the resurrection. I'm so glad you found Christ and if it took cancer to bring you to Him then I am glad. I know you rest in Him and that one day on that resurrection morning you will burst out of that grave and will have a new body and a new life. I will be with you one day, and together we will sing praises to our King. What a grand day that will be Come quickly, my sweet Jesus!

Still my heart hurts for the pain and suffering you had to go through. I can just hope that when my time comes, I can be as humble as you were. You will always be in my heart and a part of you will live inside of me until we are together again.

WEll, I am rambling as usual. I will go now and finish our Easter dinner. We're having a cookout.Your dad took the kids to play at the park. I hope you have a good Easte with Jesus. I hope you are sitting around his table with the other saints. I lov eyou, my baby girl. You will always be my baby!!  Until then...

I do not need to stay busy,
I need to talk about my child.
I need to talk about the good times, and the bad.
I need to remember, and not to forget. I can not forget.
I need to cry, I do not need to stay strong.
I need to have you listen, and not to change the subject.
I need you to support me, not to say that you understand..
I know you can not understand, unless you have lost a child.
I need you to help me with things in life that are simple tasks.
Cleaning, cooking, errands, babysitting.
I just need you to be there for me.
I just need to talk about my child.

~Author Unknown

To Rachel's family and friends- What a joyous, special day July 9th of 1983 was. Our two angels were born on the very same day! It was very hot and sunny, in the mid 90's here in Indiana. My first and only child was born and I, too, lost him in 2005, on September 25th. It has been a sea of grief and pain ever since, as you well know, loving and losing your precious girl, too. On this, the eve of that wonderful birthday, as I try to occupy myself from tearful memories, I decided to type in my boys birthday on the web, and Rachel's memorial site popped up. I couldn't believe she was born on the same exact day, and was lost just a few weeks before Dave- age 22, Oh, how ridiculously unfair, and I know you and I both will never quite understand. Tomorrow, they should both be turning 25, and enjoying life and the thought of their long futures ahead. Oh, the sorrow I know you feel tonight. I am so very sorry for your loss! Rachel was such a gorgeous young girl, and my Dave was a tall, very handsome boy with blonde/brown hair and blue eyes. I just want to let you know I am thinking of and praying for you tonight, and will say a prayer for Rachel, too. I frequently pray to God to please keep Dave safe and happy in Heaven, although I know he will anyway. My email is Dreamer04@peoplepc.com if you would like to chat about our special angels. God be with you and your family always. Carol, David Scott's Mom

PRECIOUS RACHEL,

SENDING LOTS OF LOVE TO YOU AND YOUR LOVING FAMILY,

LOVING YOU WAS EASY,LOOSING YOU WAS HARD,LOVING YOU IS STILL EASY BUT KNOWING YOU ARE NO LONGER HERE,IS THE HARDEST OF IT ALL.

I am so sorry for the loss of Rachael.  What a beautiful girl that the Lord gave to you.  Remember the good memories and even the not so good, because with all the care you gave to her she knew you loved her with all your heart.  May the Lord bless you with a New Year 2008 filled with promies and good health.  God Bless this family in the loss of their daughter Rachael.

If I had a quick fix, a way to stop the pain that you have lived and will continue to live in various ways, I would.  Your beautiful Rachel died just 12 days after our Andrew died.  He was involved in a car accident, was ejected from the car and died four days later of massive head trauma. The loss is not measurable, nor is it understood by so many who have never been where we are today.  The void is there and I can't imagine anything ever filling that massive hole in heart and soul.  Has it become a bit more manageable for me?  At times, I can almost see an improvement in my attitude, in dealing with and accepting my grief, but at others, I just can't seem to find the strength to do even minor things.  I pray that you and your family will focus on Rachel's new home and how healthy she is again.  That alone, brings me so much comfort. 

Please feel free to visit our son if you would care to:  http://andrew-collins.last-memories.com

Debi Collins