Tributes To Amanda

We encourage everyone that would like to post a tribute in honor of Amanda to do so. Visit www.donormemorial.org/tributes/ to create your tribute today.

Susan's tribute to Amanda
"I first met Amanda in 1989 through my daughter Kimberly. As their relationship grew into best friends, Amanda quickly became like a daughter to me."
Read more here
http://www.donormemorial.org/tributes/tribute_display.php?tribute_id=2048

Also

Another tribute from Amanda's sister Angela
"As a family we decided that by donating Amandas organs she would not only continue to live on but continue her lifes calling of helping others"
http://www.donormemorial.org/tributes/tribute_display.php?tribute_id=2049

or
click on link "National Donor Memorial"

Amanda's Rainbow

It was truly a spirtual experience!

I truly believe that rainbows are special signs and gifts from God. I had not seen a rainbow in what seemed like years, but the day of Amanda's funeral just as Kim and I pulled out of the cemetery on the way to Mike and Dena's house there it was no colors just white. I may have missed it had it not been for Kim seeing it and saying look mom a rainbow. Do you see it she ask me, I looked up and there it was as beautiful as ever. God's promise Kim said, That's why I had chose the song "Somewhere over the rainbow" for Amanda's memorial website.

The pain of your loss has not lessened. The grief and the tears strike me at such odd moments. You were our angel for 27 years and will be for the rest of our life.

It feel's so unjust that we have to sit here and write to you in words the depth of our love, respect and admiration for you. Because no matter how much we write or how eloquent we put our thoughts to paper, it wouldn't even begin to tap into or do justice to the feelings that run so deep inside each one of us.

My Favorite Quote

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all"

By - Emily Dickinson

Another Dream

A Dream Within A Dream

I very seldom have a dream within a dream. So that makes this dream in some ways so unique. In this dream was Amanda in what appeared to be her angel appearance. She was so radiant, so much beauty, flawless skin, yet glowing like no other from inward out. In many ways a bitter/sweet dream as she was trying to relay a message that someone was standing in her way of her seeing the girls. She said it had been a long time since she saw them last and was really looking forward to seeing them. She was asking if she could see her babies but was unsure how they'd feel about seeing her. We assured her that it would be alright and that she could see them in the next room. As she moved across the floor I woke up by the sound of something stirring about outside. I'm not sure of who might be standing in her way of seeing her babies but I can say this though. I know her heart grew as one with another and the one half of your heart still remains here on earth.

Tribute For Amanda

Angela (Amanda's sister) posted a tribute in Amanda's honor.

"Amanda saved
lives as a nurse.
Making the
decision to donate
her organs was an
easy choice."

You can read more of the tribute at
www.uwhealth.org/organdonation/amandasstory/14247
Or you can click on the
Organ Procurement Organization
link on the right side of the page.

I Had A Dream

A Dream That Sparked A Memory Of Amanda
Last night as I lay sleeping I went into this really strange dream. Not sure how the dream connected to you because I don't recall you even being in the dream at all; but, it did spark a memory of a few years ago. I wanted to dye my hair and you were the one I called and talked to about the color that I wanted to dye it. You told me of this place down in Laurens that had wigs of all colors. You told me that you would love to ride down there with me, show me where this place was and help me try on these wigs to see if that color would look good on me. The next day I picked you up and off we went to Laurens. I'm so glad we done that as the wigs showed that color would not have been the right color at all for me, we spent the whole afternoon together just tring on wigs, that was a lot of fun. I wonder if you were here today if you'd remember what we saw on the way down to laurens as we passed by this big pond, unexplainable for sure. I know I told you then thank you for going with me as it did save me money, time and patience. I don't remember everything we discussed that day but I do remember us laughing a lot, the sound of your laughter was so unique and I'd give anything to hear it one more time. God knows my heart and the pain it still feels of missing you so badly.

This dream and all that it reminds me of also reminds me of a song.
One More Day
By - Diamond Rio

On My Mind

I saw pictures of you yesterday Amanda that I haven't seen before. Those pictures left me thinking about you throughout the afternoon and all through the night. One of the pictures read "May The Work I've Done Speak For Me" Your work speaks volumes to me as I'm sure it does to a lot of people.

Theres this one song that I hear from time to time on the radio and everytime I hear it I think of you. When I hear this song it's almost as if you are singing it.

I feel this song describes how you lived your life. As one door closed another opened and we all witnessed you dancing. You always made a huge impression on me and in my life. I was always proud of how you took the chance to dance as you moved through all your opened doors. Just as you climbed one mountain there were several more there waiting for you, and yet you danced like there was nothing to it. In the end there was one last door to go through and now you're with the other angels in Heaven where there are no chances to take for you finally made it to the top with no more mountains to climb.

I love you Amanda Middleton!

I Hope You Dance
by Lee Ann Womanck

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

To Be Remembered

I'd like to be remembered to those I've left behind;
I'd like to be known for the happiness of a different kind.
I will not be forgotton in a decade or two;
But to be remembered when you see a sky of blue.
When you see a shining star from the heavens above;
I know you will think of me with joy and tender love.
On a quiet day when the rain falls from a cloud;
I want you to picture me and know that I am proud.
And when you're happy and putting life to its test;
Remembering the dreams and things that I liked best.
When our ties were broken, something still between us binds;
You can say you did what was best with an open and clear mind.


My heart I gave, so one could love and be loved like me;
My eyes gave sight to two, now they also can see.
My liver came just in a nick of time to save life to live anew.
And remember the kidneys working their miracle
with the help of the doctor's crew,
With my lungs, there is fresh air, and breathing to relieve;
Just think of all the things we were blessed to achieve.

Now and then you'll feel a touch on your shoulder;
That's me, watching you grow stronger and bolder.
There is one thing I could not give away;
My spirit which sees all of you each and every day.
You are free now to have a second chance at life;
Feel no guilt, waste no time, Live, Live, Live, without strife.

My soul leaps for joy because I'm in Heaven now;
At my feet there are angels that salute me and bow.
I'll never really be gone, because you'll see me everywhere you look;
Because, I'm working - sitting next to you on a bus, or just in my kitchen, a new recipe to cook.
I might even be a Doctor - or a computer kid whiz;
I bet you! You'll hear me on the radio or in show biz.

My family, try not to grieve for me today;
For I walk proudly with many in a very special way.
I've got to sign off for now, another needs my seat;
For I've been promoted up here to a new job that is hard to beat.

By Patricia A. Sammons,
A Liver Recipient 1984

So far Amanda has saved 6 lives

Thanks go to Angela (Amanda's sister) for sending me this poem!

Amanda Through The Years

Another picture of Amanda and Kent on their wedding day. I love showing the world how happy Amanda was.

Mauldin 100th Year Anniversary

In this picture front roll April, Amy, and Amanda
Back roll is Kimberly, Liz Patterson and Angela.

This was taken July 4th 1990 durning Mauldin's 100th year anniversary. Mauldin has a huge guestbook kept in the vault that's only opened once every 100 years. Amanda did sign that book along with her family and friends.

Amanda

My niece Kathy created this picture of Amanda for me. As soon as I saw it I was brought to tears. I can't thank her enough for this picture, for it means a lot to me. Amanda was a sweetheart and one of the best people I've ever known. My heart is still breaking into tiny little pieces, it hurts just as much today as it did on June 3rd 2008.

My Friends

I learned some time back that a dear friend of mine has cancer. He went through the treatments and was on his road to recovery when he learns that his wife now has cancer. She too went through all the treatments and was on her road to recovery when they learn that her cancer has spread to her liver and possibly other organs. It's always hard when just one person has cancer and I know God won't put more on one than they can handle. I have to wonder how often does and why is it that both husband and wife have to have such a illness as these two people have.


They have a daughter 25 years of age, how hard this must be on her as she just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. No time to brag or show off the precious baby as she's busy running back and forth to doctors appointments with both her parents. For all the people that believe in prayer I ask that you pray for this family as they need all our prayers, and please continue to pray for Amanda's three babies also, as they still miss their mother as they always will.

Thinking Of Amanda

Of all the angel's in heaven,
Amanda was the one I knew best.
Lord please tell her,
how much she's loved.
Tell her I love and miss her,
and tell her this candle is for
the angel I knew best.


Written by Susan Smith

Mauldin High School Band

Amanda in Mauldin High School Band. My hands were getting a little tired from holding the camcorder for so long and as a result of that, my video's of Amanda playing in the band are a little shakey.

Water Sprinkler

This is probably one of the shortest video's I have ran accross of Amanda yet. We were having a cook out. Most of our friends came over and I decided to get the camcorder out for a couple of seconds. I would have recorded more but I was busy with helping prepare our food. In this video you'll see Amanda, her sister's Amy and April, Kimberly and their friend Ricky.

Amanda's Memorial Website

As most of you know Amanda's memorial website is down due to changing servers. I'll be posting all video's of Amanda here until her memorial website is back up and running smoothly. Amanda's memorial website should be back up and running on January 19th hopefully sooner if everything goes ok. Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes smooth. I'll let everyone know as soon as Amanda's memorial website is back up and running.

Sledding

This was a cold snow the wind blowing so hard it was hurting my face. In this video is Myself, Amy (Amanda's sister) our friend Tina. Sledding in the snow is one of my favorite things to do. I always enjoyed getting outside doing things with the girls. I love spending time with kids, especially when the kids love the great outdoors.

Hot Air Balloons at Lions Gate

Hot air balloons, how cool it was to watch as they were landing all around us. In this video is Amy, Mike and Amanda but you may have to watch the video a couple of times to find Amanda. We all got a kick out of watching the balloons as they landed there at Lions Gate.

Today January 3rd 2009

7 months ago our lives as we knew it changed forever. It's hard to believe that it's been 7 months already, when it seems like yesterday you just entered my life. The pain from losing you has been more than I can take. You wouldn't believe how the pain has effected me, it's as though it has wipped out my memory bank of you. I read that is normal and within time it'll come back. I really hope that this is true, because when I do recall something about you it's when I'm talking with someone else and they'll say something that will spark a memory or when sitting here watching the video tapes of you. Maybe I'm just focusing to hard on trying to recall the memories.

I've made a couple of online friends through creating your memorial website and through my blog. To be honest with you I'm so glad to welcome them into my life even though it's through the internet. It gives me great pleasure to tell them all about you and how wonderful you were as my daughters best friend, my friend, as a person and to everyone that knew you. Making new friends on the internet has given me a different way of expressing how I feel and how lost I truly am.

I have been known to pick up the phone and call your sister Angela when the pain was to great for me to carry and cried on her shoulders. I always felt bad afterwards for calling her as it should have been the other way around, I should have been her shoulders to cry on when she needed someone. I miss you so much and would give anything just to have you back. You left us and I didn't get the chance to tell you all the important things like how much you mean to me, or I love you, or to say I'll be looking forward to seeing you soon, or to thank you for everything, or to tell you we still need you here please don't go.

Girls at HollyWild

In this video is Amanda and her three sister Angela, Amy and April. We're on a Safari ride at HollyWild feeding the animals and having a great time. These are some cool times of our many ventures.



Lots of different kinds of animals at HollyWild. If you've never been there, it's a really cool place to go visit. In this video is April, Amy, Amanda and my daughter Kimberly. They're checking out the Pot Bellied Pigs trying to see who can catch one.



In this video is Amanda walking after a goose as Kimberly watches her and the voice of Amanda's sister Amy. The day is quickly coming to an end and another great memory of Amanda to look back on. I wish my new year could be spent recording more of Amanda. Instead I'll spend it searching for more video's of Amanda to upload and share with everyone.

Bringing In The New Year

Amanda,

I lit a christmas candle for you last night as I sat and watched the ball drop. I took a few pics of the candle burning and tried to get a picture of the ball dropping on TV but the ball fell much to fast. Bringing in the new year just isn't the same knowing that your family didn't get to bring it in with you. This new year will be so different in so many ways. My New Year Resolution is to keep your memory alive, stay intouch with your family, and to continue to pray for your baby girls. Missing you dearly with every ounce of my being, Love you lots, and hope that you still hear me when I have my small talks with you and when I look up to the heavens and tell you I love you Miss Amanda with all my heart.