One Week Left

April is almost over and I have more to share with you about organ donation. First, I finally sent our first non-anonymous letter to one of our recipient families. I also included pictures of Abby for the first time. I was still unsure what to say, but we think of the families all the time and hope they know that even though we are not on a personal basis yet, that they hold a special place in our hearts (and always will).

I also want to send out a bit of information for any of you that might be in KC about an upcoming concert fundraiser. MerleJam will be Friday, May 7th at 7 pm and 8th at 5 pm at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City. All proceeds from the concert will be donated to St. Luke's to provide assistance to pre and post-op heart transplant patients. We had the pleasure of meeting Merle and hearing him speak about his heart transplant and he is a wonderful guy. Drop by if you get a chance. You can read his story here http://www.mwtn.org/recipients/stories/merle-zuel

National Crime Victims' Right Week

April 18-24 is National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This week is designed to help communities and assistance groups promote awareness for crime victim issues. This year, the theme of the week is "crime victims' rights: FAIRNESS. DIGNITY. RESPECT."

A tree planting ceremony was held at Mozingo Lake as a way to honor victims. The ceremony was opened with a welcome by Tom Seipel, Probation and Parole District Administrator, followed by a musical performance by Maryville High School Spectrum Choir.

An invocation was said by Father Kenneth Reichert, OSB of Conception Abbey. Then Rick Bradley, Chief Juvenile Officer of the 4th Judicial Circuit Court led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Pro-Tem Shawn Wake then read a Proclamation from the Mayor's office declaring this Crime Victims' Rights Week. This was followed by a speech from Associate Circuit Judge of Worth County Joel Miller.

A tree was then symbolically planted by Nodaway County Prosecuting Attorney David Baird, MTC Warden Joe Ledbetter, Tom Seipel, and Judge Joel Miller.

I was then asked to briefly say a few words. Here is what I said ~

In 2007, there were 12,998 alcohol-related crash fatalities. This amounted to 32 percent of all crash fatalities that year. Our daughter, Abrielle Lauryn Neff, is one of those numbers. On March 29, 2007, a driver with alcohol still plaguing his system caused a collision that took her life. We did not choose to be the victims of a crime, as no one does, but after being thrust into the situation, we had only the hope of justice to hold on to.
Justice for us has had to be measured by several factors other than only the amount of time the offender was ordered to serve, as no matter the amount, it will never be enough for us to consider acceptable for taking the life of our little girl. We have instead reflected upon our treatment during the process as a way to validate our justice. We were treated with the utmost respect from every official involved. From the Highway Patrol to the Sheriff’s office to the Prosecuting Attorney, every official kept us informed and involved which is exactly what we wanted and were given an outcome that was considered fair according to the law. We have also been thankful for all the rights that have been established for crime victims. Without them, we would not have been able to present an impact statement at sentencing or a letter at the parole hearing.
Edith Wharton said, “There are only two ways of spreading light – to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” We have chosen to be the candle and have established the Abrielle Neff Foundation in memory of our daughter.

I went on to talk about the Foundation.

My words were followed by a Benediction by Father Reichert and a closing song by Spectrum.

Garden Planting

Tuesday afternoon the preschool class planted new annuals in Abby's Garden at the school. Mady and a friend Becky, along with myself and my Mom helped plant too.

Half Way There

We received word that the bill passed the House and is now in the Senate. Please contact your Senators to express they support this Bill in its current form. We do not want changes made to the Bill.

An ER Visit

We had to make a trip to the emergency room Saturday afternoon with Elly. She was playing outside when she fell off the slide, cutting her head. They were able to glue the cut on her eyebrow back together, avoiding stitches. Elly received an Abby's Hugs package to help her during her visit. She held the strawberry's hand as they worked to clean up the area and seal it shut. We were glad to have the program in place to help our Elly.

Lucky Me

Sharing another layout I created for my album.


The tag reads, "Simple Pleasures are Priceless Treasures." My journaling is a list of things I feel lucky for with Abby. It say, "lucky to be ....

• blessed with a second daughter
• able to say "I'm Abrielle's Mom"
• given a Mommy's girl
• blessed with almost 4 years with Abby
• the family chosen for an angel

Treatment Center Presentation

I spoke at the Treatment Center again yesterday to the current class, all their first time to hear me speak. This class was very quiet. I could see I touched some, but when it came time for questions and comments, I only had two. Usually I spend just as long taking questions as I do giving my presentation. So it seemed a little strange. Plus, every time, I am asked about forgiveness and this time it was not mentioned. I hope they were affected by the presentation as much as the other classes have been.