pink shoelaces
Joel and I went to a small Christian high school here in Kansas. Joel grew up here. I moved here when I was a sophomore. We were high school sweethearts.
This school has loved us so well through Cora's time in the hospital and after she went to be with Jesus. Even the basketball teams have found a way to show their love.
Ivy (Joel's sister) is a senior at Berean. Owen (my brother) also goes to school there and is a junior. They are both on the varsity basketball teams.
After Cora went to be with Jesus they all started wearing pink shoelaces in their basketball shoes. They are still wearing them.
Even the boys! It makes me smile to see all those pink shoelaces just for our sweet Cora. Both teams just won sub-state and are heading to state this week. I sent my friend Laura after the boys to try to grab a picture after the game. They all got their shoes in and then decided they wanted the trophy in the picture too. They said that this win was for Cora! That will make you teary eyed.
Thank you for remembering our little angel. Thank you for showing so much love and support to our families!
Go Warriors--TAKE STATE!
posted by the mcclenahans @ 10:12 AM
129 Comments:
LOVE THIS. I have 3 HS aged boys who are ball players. They play tough, but inside they can be so sweet and thoughtful. Very cool. I salute these student athletes--they are excellent representatives of their school, their families and your community. This picture makes me smile...
That is priceless. What a precious tribute!
I think this is great. I've been following your blog and have commented every so often. Being a mother, grandmother, teacher, and wife of a long time high school principal, I am moved to tears each time I read, especially this post. Still praying daily for you and yours in SW Indiana.
What a great idea. It is such a blessing to see how your daughter has been such an inspiration to so many people.
You can't get any sweeter than that! It's so nice to see how people pull together in difficult times. And even nicer to see young boys and girls doing so. These days young kids get a bad rap for being wild and crazy! This just proves that there is hope for the future generations. Go state!
Thinking and praying for you daily!
Julie
This made me cry. To picture teenage boys putting pink shoelaces in their basketball shoes for Cora...that just made my day! Thanks for sharing.
What a heartwarming story. You all are so loved and have touched so many hearts.
Amazing the lives your Cora has touched! Thanks for continueing to share with us. Just finally watched the Celebration..broke my heart all over againg..I can't seem to find peace with this..but then I check your blog and this is what is posted...made me smile through my tears. You are remarkable Momma!
Kim
That is just awesome! This sure made my day :)
Jess you need to go over to the below blog and send them those pics. This is all about feet and those pics would be awesome.
http://the-gypsy-feet.blogspot.com/
You are so very loved! Your family is still in my thoughts and prayers.
That is AWESOME!! And you were right, tears, and goosebumps!
made me teary eyed and gave me goosebumps...that is awesome!! i hope they win state too..all for precious Cora!!!
WOW-that is so neat. So many things happening because of your sweet baby. I am sure the witness you all have because of this tragedy will reach so many. I know it must be so hard for you and I pray that each day you will do better, I know there will be lots of hard days ahead but it must be neat to see how many people care for you and support you. Our God is good-sometimes we don't know the reason for things that happen but we know that in eternity we will understand. Thanks for sharing about the shoelaces!
Jess,
Cora's benefit concert at Pages is this Friday, March 13th at 8pm. Meg has the flier on her blog:http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/2009/03/more-goodness.html#comments.
much love,
Holly and Louisa
what a touching gesture.
I don't know you all, but am a wife and mother around your age in Louisiana. My heart aches for you and I cry as I read your blog each day. I continue to read your blog because it reminds me each day to pray for you. Daily I pray for you for peace that passes all understanding, for rest, etc. I will continue to lift you up in prayer. Cling to God and to your spouse.
Thanks for sharing...that made me smile! lots of love and prayers for you always!
That is just so sweet.
That is just awesome...how precious are they?! I am sure they are all so proud to be wearing them too! So sweet!
Amazing!
Now I'm all teary eyed. What a sweet gesture... Your little Cora has been such an inspiration....
I am not a blogger but one of my close friends here in Louisiana is. We were just talking about your family last weekend and the grief you are experiencing, along with others. If you have time, her blogpost for March 9, 2009, is excellent.
http://www.chaneylife.blogspot.com/
that is so cool!
So sweet!! This makes you feel all warm inside that these highschool students can show such warmth and compassion. Thanks for sharing the many ways that Cora has touched lives.
That is awesome, even the boys!!! Very sweet of them to do.
What a wonderful tribute to a precious baby! It is amazing how many people she touched! I admire the teens also for such a selfless action!
That is so sweet! I got a little teary reading your post and thinking about these big & strong basketball players wearing pink shoelaces in their basketball shoes in memory of your little Cora! What a special way to encourage you and remember your girl. They obviously have kind hearts and I really hope they bring the state championship victory!
That is so cool! How great that they can lift you guys up like that!
Jessica -
That is so sweet. How awesome and how touching.
Thinking of you and praying for you in Missouri,
Tina
That is so special.
I love it! A sweet tribute to a sweet baby. The list of people Cora has touched surely reaches from here all the way to her in heaven!
~Keri
Teary eyed...how about sobbing! What a neat things for the boys and girls to do. Your sweet little Cora is touching more and more people everyday!
What a great community you live in! I was once told that you can tell how much someone loves you by how they treat and show affection for your kids. Those highschoolers sure love that little girl of yours, and that speaks volumes about her parents!
PS... it sounds like those kids had a pretty special angel on their team. Who knew Cora was such a good ball player?! I'm sure she and the rest of the angels were cheering on those pink laces!
I went to a small high school in Kansas, too - my graduating class had a whopping 26 kids. :-) It made me cry to see those kids wearing pink for Cora. God bless them.
So awesome! I hope they win it all! So sweet to hear of teenagers doing something so dear :) Love those boys with their pink laces :)
Oh...this touches my heart. How beautiful. And, yes...teary-eyed, I sit. Your Cora's life has impacted so, so many lives. Thank you for sharing just one more way, her legacy lives on. Beautiful...
Aw, this made me cry! What a precious tribute to your sweet baby Cora!
You guys are so blessed to live in such a loving community.
That is so great!!! And all for Cora - how precious! Your family & Cora must be pretty special:)
How cute I was Crying of happiness to know that there is people with good harts out there.
Elda
I just found your blog. What a touching story! I have a 16 month old daughter. I can't imagine the pain that you are feeling. I am so glad that you and your family have faith! What a blessing your sweet Cora was in your lives. I can't believe how many lives she has effected! What an angel. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Hope you don't mind to stopping by to check on you.
PS I love her name. Cora was my great grandma's name... it's always been a favorite of mine
That is awesome!! And definitely made me tear up
How sweet is that?! Everything seems better with a little bit of pink! GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PLAYERS AND GOD BLESS YOU!
Courtney
Wow, what a great group of kids! :) I hope they win State!
how adorable!
What a wonderful thing to be part of such a community.
I love it!!! What a remarkable story and I'm pretty sure that Cora will be cheering them on from Heaven as her Aunt and Uncle take State. God Bless each and everyone of you! You my dear lady are an amazing woman and mother.
still praying.
grace and peace to you.
That is wonderful! It gave me cold chills!!
yup...teary-eyed indeed. very sweet.
Wow! what a testament to the love that surrounds you...
How sweet! This really made me smile! Cora continues to touch so many lives. I continue to pray for your family multiple times each day.You are such a special family and Cora is such a special little girl.
Ashley in Phoenix
SO COOL!!!! I love it.
Yes, it brings a smile along with many tears now strolling down my cheek....
Sending you one big fat blog ((((hug))))!!!
what a beautiful gesture!!!
Em
from Australia
Such a beautiful tribute to a very special little angel!!
Oh what a BEAUTIFUL sight! That just touches my heart!
I'm still so sorry for your loss! God has such a way sometimes of comforting us in our sadness.
That is so cool. I just wanted to say that my son, Christian, and I sent our pink balloons up to Cora today. We took some pictures and you can check them our on Christian's blog...
christianspivey.blogspot.com
This is awesome! What a legacy your girl is leaving!
One of the things that touched me the most when Baby James went home to be with The Lord was a troubled teen from our community came to the memorial service and his mom later told me he said he had to come because it was the right thing to do, he is a father now and has his life together, teenagers can be amazing can't they?
How awesome is that! What a great bunch of kids!
How INCREDIBLY sweet!!!!!! :o)
Precious. Just precious. That picture just brings a smile to my face!
Awww...that's awesome! Love the pink shoe laces! And the Cora love coming your way! So sweet!
Very Cool. That daughter of yours has touched so many lives and will continue to do so. I know you miss her dearly. She's cheering in Heaven!!!
LOVE IT!!!
How wonderful to live in a community with so much love and support!
Go Warriors!
"Thank you for remembering our little angel. Thank you for showing so much love and support to our families!"
You guys are so loved. I'm so happy that they did this.
That is awesome
This makes me sad that I had to leave Berean after my sophomore year and didn't get to know you better. I have always treasured my memories of friends and teachers there. I tried to convince Jesse that we should move back just to let the girls go to school there!!! We are still praying for you all. What a wonderful "family." We can't make it to the game this year like we did last year, but we will be cheering from here. WARRIORS - TAKE STATE!!!
Tammie McDonald Maddy
How wonderful is that? This is officially my first comment, but I have followed your blog for a few weeks now. First-I have no brilliant words to say to you although my heart has ached for you and your family in the last few weeks. I am so sorry. I am also so inspired by your faith and the outpouring of love from others you are experiencing. God is working-and it shows. If I ever had the opportunity to just give you and your hubby a huge hug-please know I would-so I am sending them from afar. Can't wait to order some items from Cora's etsy store to support her playground. Keep your chins up-and I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. -Shannon
Wow, that is incredibly sweet! Thank you for sharing.
Friends who show their love and support are wonderful. Cute photos of the laces.
Cora is so loved...by so many. What a great tribute to a sweet little girl. Continuing to pray for you each day! Love and prayers!
Marsha in VA
What a lovely gesture...how incredibly sweet. It moves me beyond tears the impact one sweet baby girl had on so many people around the country. He is so glorious in how He works in His ways. Still praying for you and sending hugs from Michigan! :O)
joel and jess,
We think of you and pray for you often. Thought you might want to check out the website where one of Ivy's teammates explains the shoelaces to a reporter.
http://www.eldoradotimes.com/sports/x594736279/Lady-Warriors-beat-Spearville
Coach K
I LOVE this!! So special!
WOW that is SOOO Awesome i pray that they win state. it is so awesome for them to do that. We all know cora is up in the lords arms watching them play! god bless each and everyone of them!
Laura Jeffcoat
Lamesa, TX
jeffcoat.laura@yahoo.com
What a great way to honor Cora!
Carly
You take the time to thank "us". How wonderful is that, when it is you, Joel, Grammy and your Cora that have inspired us so much. Your grace and Faith have been awe inspiring..Thank you for sharing your Cora with us...
Kim
Awesome!!I hope they win the state title!
That is so sweet. Your little girl is touching so many.
Just when I thought I couldn't cry anymore...
I am so so glad to hear about the love that surrounds you in all its many forms. You are in the best place under the worst circumstances.
Continuing to send you love...
Wow! Even guys can wear pink and STILL be cool...what a great tribute to a great family! You are all still in my thoughts and prayers everyday! I am going to order something off of etsy even though I did not know Cora, her story has changed my heart! Hope they win state for Cora...she has got to be loving this from heaven!
That is wonderful! Your website has changed the way that I handle many things. I find myself much more patient with my son. I've always enjoyed him but I am treasuring the moments more. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for making my time with my son so much sweeter.
I bought some pink shoelaces today. I am positive that someone will ask me about then and when they do I will send them here to read Cora's story.
Priceless...=)
Hi. My name is Mindy Hanke. I am a friend of Nate Peregoy. I have read your blog start to finish and have been so touched by the life of your sweet Cora. Thanks for sharing your difficult journey with us. Your unwavering Faith is inspiring. God has used you and your sweet daughter to touch the lives of SO many-including me! Your family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers!!
That was so thoughful. It's not easy for guys to sport pink!
I've visted your Etsy site twice, and each time, I can't view any of your items?
I clicked on one of the sold items, and then I could see the description of the item, price, etc. I can't see everything you hsve for sale like I can on other Etsy sites.
Is something wrong with the site?
You should forward your feet pictures to
http://the-gypsy-feet.blogspot.com/
they will post them for you, if you'd like. That is a beautiful gesture.
A beautiful example of serving others!!!
That is sooooo cool. Glad to see POSITIVE things about kids. I think of you often and hope you all are doing OK.
Julie Shaner
What a wonderful tribute to Cora from these great kids. I saw the Berean game highlights on the tv sports segment tonight and I looked for those pink laces! Was sorry for their games losses but they are certainly winners in other ways.
Sweet angels dance with Cora in heaven. I am praying for you and yours.
Yep... crying.
That is so cool. I'm just so impressed that even the boys are wearing them. And winning for Cora... just doesn't get any sweeter than that.
Love You Guys,
Christy Klein
So sweet!
That is toooooo cool! See how loved you are! Hope they do well at state! Miss you and still praying!
love ya!
AMIE
That is so awesome!!! What guys to where pink! :) You are an amazing women, let me just say that! I have had issues trying to find your Etsy site. Can you post a link or else just tell me what I need to type in to find you?? I found you once but have not been able to again. I am sure I am just struggling! :) Thanks!
Hey Jess and Joel
Received my Cora blocks today. What cute packaging. Matt did a fantastic job!
I was so excited to know that they were here and oh so sad at the same time.
Still thinking, praying for you daily..Can't wait to buy more from the Cora shop..What a great tribute the Cora Playground will be.
Kim(alabama)
Hey guys here is a link to the etsy Cora shop. I saved it in my favorites to keep checking on....They sell out really quick right now but I am sure if we are patient more will come.
Kim(alabama)
www.coras.etsy.com
How sweet! I continue to think of you and pray for you.
Popping in here tonight to tell you that I thought of and prayed for you on this cold dreary day.
When it's dreary out I wonder if that affects how you're doing. Then when it's sunny out, I wonder of those days are tough for you.
Basically you're always in my thoughts and prayers.
Amazing!!! What an awsome bunch of boys!! (And girls!!;) How special for them to remember such a sweet angel in such a creative way! Good luck at state boys!! Play hard and win for sweet Cora!!!!
--still praying in Nebraska
Just makes my heart sing!
The photo of the boys legs, shoes and the trophy is one of THE best photos I've seen in my nearly 39 years of life. Bravo to everyone involved.
Praying for you all.
Good night from Australia.
M x
Always thinking, praying for you! What a great community you guys live in..
Kim(alabama)
There is good in this world. Praying for you!
Came across your blog tonight and cried my eyes out. God bless your family and I know He has little Cora up there with him and she is probably having the time of her life. I will say a prayer for your family. God bless you all.
My pediatricians office sponsored a race yesterday to raise money for children's cancer charities. I thought of your precious Cora and prayed for you and Joel during the race... and even managed to run the whole time! This was a quite a feat if you know me :) but I got so much strength when I thought of how hard your girl fought and the unwavering faith you continue to show. Still thinking of you and praying for you each day!
Sarah in Atlanta
Thinking of you, loving you, and praying for you today as another Sunday passes.
Hoping that you feel my thoughts, prayers and support everyday multiple times a day!
Kim(alabama)
It is SO amazing how YOUR Cora has impacted literally hundreds (maybe even thousands) of lives!.. She was heaven on Earth and so beautiful.. you must be indescribably proud!!
Just thinking about you again.
Always thinking of you and praying for you. Hope you are finding the strength to get through your days.
Kim
Thinking of you today, thinking of Cora today, praying you're doing okay.
Said prayers for you both today...just wanted to let you know.
Still praying for peace that surpasses all understanding and for all of your friends and family to know just how to love you both right now. Thinking if you often.
-Sarah in ATL
Sending thoughts and prayers to you both.
Kim
Just stopping by to say that I was thinking of you guys today. Even when its quiet, you are still surrounded by prayer worriers and support....
God Bless.
Just thinking of you guys and Cora today and praying for you.
I check your blog everyday and pray for you each day-you are not forgotten. May the Lord Bless you!
just stumbled upon your story. your strength amazes me and your story breaks my heart.
we have a little cora who is 14 months old. we will think of your family often.
Thinking of you and praying. Please know that you aren't ever far from my thoughts, or anyone who has read your story. You are loved and I hope you can find some comfort in that.
Sending thoughts and prayers. Always thinking of you.
Kim
Just wanted to let you know that I am still thinking of you and praying for you every day. You guys are not forgotten and neither is Cora. I hold you in my thoughts and prayers constantly.
Hugs and prayers,
Heather~ On the Homefront
I found your blog through a friend of a friends blog and I couldn't stop reading it. I am so sorry for your loss. You have amazing strength to be able to go on and I admire that.
Don't know if you've ever heard the song Divine Romance by Phil Wickham... I've been really listening to the words and singing it a lot lately and each time I think of and pray for you. Hope you're finding small glimpses of joy in your "new normal".
Hi, you didn't have your email address listed but I wanted to ask you where all of you girls got your scrabble tile pendants. I was trying to look at one close up, I'm assuming they had attachment to Cora?
Also I keep checking your Etsy store. Im anxious to buy a 3T dress for my daughter and a block for my desk at work. I'm sure you're busy with orders. The stuff is so cute.
Hope you're doing well. I think about you 3 often. My co-worker is from Salina Kansas originally so she recognized your hometown.
And Mackenzie hasn't been found wandering the nieghborhood since that day. We've learned!
I'm so glad I got to see you.
But you could've picked a day when I'd at least showered or fixed my hair. I was a bit embarrassed about how I looked (and probably smelled). haha!
I held it together until you left and then I bawled.
God bless you!
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