From today's New York Times:

August 7, 2009, 4:44 pm
Woman Trying to Re-enter Apartment Falls to Her Death
By Jennifer 8. Lee
A 37-year-old woman fell to her death early Friday while trying to get into her fourth-floor apartment by climbing through the window, the police said.

The woman, whom a neighbor identified as Marta Perez, was apparently locked out of her apartment at 152 West 76th Street around 4 a.m., the police said. She went to the roof and tried to get in using a cable, but lost her grip and fell to the ground into a neighbor’s backyard, the police said.

The body was discovered shortly before 10 a.m. and was taken to St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead.

My friend Brenda told me about this and forwarded me the article. Chilling, huh? It so could have been Nicole. As we approach the one-year mark on August 30, we are reminded now, more than ever, how blessed we are to have our precious daughter here with us, alive and well. Her broken body has healed and now she's having to retrain it to work properly again. Thank God she has the drive of the Energizer Bunny...she never gives up, instead she keeps going and going and going.

Tomorrow we'll give Betty Moore (aka "Dirty Betty") a proper sendoff. Her memorial service is tomorrow afternoon at St. Phillips, and Josh has put together a video presentation. I'm sure it will be a fitting tribute to a fun lady.

Today, we said farewell to Megan, Nicole's Personal Care Assistant/companion/friend. She's been a godsend and I believe they've had a magical summer together. Megan will be going to the University of Southern Mississippi next week where she'll major in theatre. No wonder she and Nicole got along so well! We'll miss her, but we will not be saying goodbye for good...Megan has become a special part of our lives.

Now Nicole has to find a new PCA...a hard task. But God led us to Megan, and her to us, so I'm sure He'll do it again.

We've been following several caring bridges recently, and it really makes you stop and take stock of where we are. Others have it so much worse, yet they persevere. And we do find such joy in reading when those we follow are getting better. Our prayers are with them all.

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan