It's Chinese New Year...

Cass, it's Chinese New Year today. I bring along your camera wherever I go and take lots of pictures for you! 

Life has a funny way of coming full circle, using our past to influence our future; using our pain to make us grow and to reveal who we are...

"Oh God, help me to see in the prism of my tears, something of the secret of who I am. Give me the courage not only to see what those tears are revealing but to follow where they are leading. And help me to see, somewhere over the rainbow, that where they are leading me home."
 
"Dear God, please let them be happy because it would be hard at first, but there's always a rainbow after the rain. I want them to have the prettiest rainbow ever." 

Cass, my dear daughter, thank you for your prayers...they are always with me...love you and miss you so much!! ‪#‎lovewins‬ ‪#‎fearlesscassidy‬

Thank you all

I would like to thank every single one of you for your thoughtful care and continued support throughout the years.

In the past five to six months, Cassidy had been greatly cheered, in her most difficult time, with your personal visits, encouraging words, tiny do-it-yourself artwork, the FEARLESS paintings and many many other small presents that you sent over. The responses and comments left by friends and many individuals whom we do not know personally have touched us deeply. I will never forget her smile whenever she saw you in her room or received all your generous gifts. All these had made this most painful period of Cass' life a lot more bearable for her and our whole family, encouraged and cheered her greatly and for that I'm forever grateful.

As you may know, one of Cassidy's dreams was to be involved with the upcoming Para PanAm Games. Even though she has now left us, I would like to help her to accomplish her dream. While the details has not been finalized yet, we are setting up a memorial scholarship for para-athletes, an account has been set up to accept donations from those who would like to support such cause. Please feel free to visit her blog for more information and updates . At this moment, we are spending most of our time tending to Cassidy's burial and packing up Cassidy's belongings, though we still find it extremely difficult for us to start reading her journals. May God grant us the peace and courage to start the new chapter in our life and in remembering our beloved daughter.

Your presence, words and acts are like a rainbow that beautifies the sky and enlightens our minds after one long stormy night. We would like to sincerely thank you all again for your never ending support and hope that you will continue to be with us in making Cassidy's dreams come true.

(My last selfie with Cass just a week ago before she passed away)

Sharing at the funeral - by Rob & Rebecca

Sharing for Cassidy Sheng Memorial (January 17, 2015)
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well” (Psalm 139:14)
 
In a world that can seem ugly you brought beauty because God made you beautiful inside and out. Both of us are so thankful for being part of your journey. There are too many points of grace we have of you, so here’s a few that will forever stand out as wonderful reminders.  
Your journey with cancer has never been simple – something none of us will fully understand. One time you had to go through a 13 hour procedure at the hospital. But throughout this event and your entire journey with cancer you were transparent and honest with all your pains and struggles. You didn’t fake about the pain you were going through, nor did you hide your frustrations. But you chose quality of life over quantity of life. That is, you chose to celebrate and cherish every moment as a gift from God (as best as you could). You chose to trust God in a life that has good and bad moments. In this, you showed us what it means to seek hope only found in God. By this you gave us a beautiful legacy of being Hope-Seekers.
 
Some of us allow our fears and discouragements to stop us from dreaming or just celebrating life. You chose to love the life you had - disability and all. You worked hard and strived forward to see your full potential, and became the woman of God & paralympian you are. You did so without looking back or letting discouragement slow you down. Somehow you knew that if you chose bitterness because of your circumstances, it would slow you down and others too perhaps. You strived to encourage others to love what they have, and not get angry at what they don’t have. In doing so love has won because you enjoyed life to the fullest, and that spirit has been such an inspiration for us. By this you gave us a genuine legacy of being Love-Bearers.
 
You were not afraid to express what’s on your mind, but not disrespectful in what you said. One time we were singing at Sick Kids Hospital and you helped me realize that my goal of singing backup for Taylor Swift was probably not a good idea when you told me, ‘Pastor Rob, I think you should stick with church music’. You were passionate to share important truths to others. It has always been your desire to speak forth the truth of seeing the God-given potential in everyone, regardless of disability, limitation, or circumstance. You’ve been doing this already through your simple, yet profound message – ‘fearless’ - which will be carried onward by us all. By this you gave us a legacy of being fearless Truth-Tellers.
 
In a world that seems so confused and messed up, you have shown us a special beauty through your attitude, your character, and faith – you have given us a glimpse of the glory of God, which is much more beautiful than we realize or understand. One place that Cassidy’s family enjoys going to take pictures is Edwards Garden. The flowers there are always blossoming and colorful. The afternoon before Cass passed away, we were by her bedside and Uncle Gary was showing us some old photos they took at Edwards Garden. Over the years, the type of flowers haven’t changed but became more beautiful – much like you Cass. For you are fearfully and wonderfully made.