This page is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Pamela Wanstreet. Dear friend, mother, daugher, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
Sisters in Spirit
Today I lost a dear close friend.
Who suffered greatly, up to the end.
I loved her so brave she was.
She was inspirational was.
My mind is all a buzz.
Remembering our days together though brief.
Gave me such courage-now feeling such grief.
Because you were fighting so hard every day.
Just to elevate your head, thinking of words to say.
Now there's no more calls to make.
One last trip to see you I have to take.
Though you're no longer in such pain.
I won't let all that be in vain.
Your life mattered-you gave so much.
I will help you live on through me.
I won't rest, until people see.
That we all matter whether we stand sit or lie.
And that beauty, strength and love is much more then meets the eye.
August 3rd, 2002 11 PM This Memorial Page went live, 6 hours after the passing of this courageous woman, my friend Pam.
Tonight, I learned my dear friend and Sister in Spirit, Pamela Wanstreet died three hours ago. I have to say that part of life is losing people you love. It's inevitable. This person was so very special to me and words fail me to try to capture the essence of what about her touched my heart so deeply that it altered my life. We met in the fall of 87" and were instantly friends. She was Pam #1 because she was a few years older and wiser then I was and I was Pam #2-not just because I was the younger Pam-I was also a lil #2 if you get my drift. We took such pride in the things we did in our time together at Bayfront Medical Center, both of us recovering from life altering traumatic injuries that left us in wheelchairs.
You might be asking yourself what was it about Pam that was so inspiring? It was her mind and sharp wit that made being around her a life lesson as well as entertaining. I lost my leg, really to the hip and was still trying to come to terms with it. Only thing I can offer as a example of what being room mates with her for the month and one week meant is that her strength and determination to overcome her disability strengthened my resolve to overcome mine. While I was rehabbing alongside her I was still pushing to get released. I probably could have stayed longer but it was almost christmas, I didn't want to stay-but after going christmas carrolling with her that year, the joy we shared, there was just no way we would ever stop being friends. We had a special bond and I looked up to her like the big sister I never had. She was my dear friend and confidant.
I will never forget you and I will finish your story we began-though as a fictional adaptation like how Walk of Fire is a fictional adaptation of what it's been like for me, I will write you/our story someday Pam. "Every Kid Deserves Ice Cream" will be finished and go from my gut for the most dramatic adaption of one woman's short life and life after becoming a quadraplegic single mom in the blink of an eye. I am not sure how it will be Pam, but I promise you this wasn't all in wain. Your suffering was legendary in context with all we'de seen in the hospital during our individual stays. People have misconceptions about what living with a disability is like, and I always treasure that independace we got along with the respect we earned from hospital staff. Its out in the world where prejudice would rear its ugly head.
We have to work hard to keep it in mind that we all have feelings, even if it might appear that woman sitting there in that wheelchair cruising along living her life-in aching in pain from her head to her feet. But yet you can't see it because her mask of optimism won't waver or give way. Because we don't way people to feel sorry for us-we-the Pams tried very hard to be living examples of life moving onward and acceptance leading to triumph. I will carry the memories close to my heart and make sure people everywhere can see through at least this tribute page that she was respected and loved. She made a difference in people's lives around her and I was proud to be her friend. Rest in peace Pam, I carry the torch now and will try til the end of my days to help others understand and relate.
Thank you for visiting my tribute to my friend, Pam Wanstreet.
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