You've seen Balloons set---Haven't you?
So stately they ascend---
It is as Swans---Discarded you,
For duties Diamond.
Emily Dickinson---1863
This Poem reminds me of seeing things through a childs eye though it's not worded exactly like that. It still means not to take things for granted and to look at things with wonder like we are those children seeing those Balloons for one of the first times. Faith and I were children in North Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and many things at the time looked like those Balloons.
While doing this memorial I found it impossible to complete the information in the Family Friends, Family Tree, Photo Albums and some other sections that require similar family knowledge as I was just a friend and would like to apologize to any of Faith's relatives for the incomplete data.
This is for Faith---- I miss her a lot and think about her as much as I miss her. Admiral James Stockdale said at important moments in our lives that we have to be exactly at the right place, at the right time and have to be doing the right thing in order for that moment or event to happen. I, like others, have seen the spectrum of things, events and different people pass through my life, but in order for my most important event to have taken place, I would have to return to being 8 years old again to be exactly at the right place, at the right time, and be doing exactly the right thing in order to have the distinct honor of meeting Faith Breitung, who would become and remain my greatest influence. That says a lot for her considering we only knew each other for 2 years and were both kids on top of it.
Here are just a few words I use to describe Faith as I remember her---Friend, Strongest and Toughest girl I have ever met inside and out, Christian, Smile, All Personality, Humorous, Brave, Smart and finally, Perfect.
Faith had a great personality and was excellent at making friends. I don't think there wasn't anyone who didn't like Faith because she had all of this positive energy. She was a little dynamo who was all personality. I remember seeing (on different occasions ) 3 or more kids running up to a table because Faith was there. It had nothing to do with her illness--read on--that's explained later. She herself did all of this because of who she was inside.
I remember in the bible when the disciples asked Jesus what the greatest of the commandments were and his reply was No.1 Love your God with your whole heart, soul and mind --No.2 Love thy neighbor as thyself beause if you follow these two commandments the rest will fall into place. These are the commandments that Faith lived by without even trying--It showed in the way she talked to people and how she genuinely liked people. You can tell when someone enjoys talking or not ---it's in their eye contact, facial expression and etc....Faith was the real thing. I always noticed she had some strong Christian values.
Faith also loved Girl scouting. She and I went to Presentation School and Church on Michigan Ave. in North Fond Du Lac. We were both 4 years old when we entered kindergarten, both born at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond Du lac (which wasn't unusual as 90% of us were).
Part of this next one I wrote when I was 16 (1980). Everything I wrote or write on Faith I have always kept-- One important thing I need to say is ----NO____Leukemia didn't make people like her, become her friends and etc....I hate when people say something like "I knew someone in school who had leukemia and he or she changed me and we became friends." I'm looking at this person and thinking---"What---did the Leukemia give this kid special powers to change people and have all of these friends?" because I know Faith didn't get any extra gifts from her leukemia---she was liked because of who she was inside--and how she treated others and not anything else. Faith didn't want people to feel sorry for her and if she knew she was given special treatment--I guarantee she wouldn't like it.
I am going to close with part of a 1982 memorial I wrote--
Faith was my first "crush" and friend who would leave a lasting impression with her witty personality, charm and smile that could light up anyone. She was the best that is in all of us. It was important for me to get this memorial correct as I wanted to portray Faith perfectly for that's how she was and remains to me (perfect). Hopefully I did her justice.
Richard James O'loughlin 11-11-1982
I thank God each time I remember you......Phillipians 1-3
Richard James O'loughlin April-2007
The external link at the bottom (web link) that says Childrens Cancer Web is by far the most complete and indepth link ever made on the subject and is used by Doctors and Patients alike and also shows almost all of the Children Home pages available on the web.
Note: I may take 3-4 days to send back messages since I am normally all over the place so to speak and do not check in everyday.
