The Shreveport Bossier Christian Family is a small newspaper magazine in our community. It offers christian information on many subjects and this month it was all about Organ Donation. What an awesome article they wrote about our angel and the gift of life she has provided by being an organ donor. I read the article and it is totally awesome. Brande is our hero and like so many has helped save many lives across the nation. The whole magazine is filled with hero's such as she. You can review it online by clicking on the web address below at http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35034 on page 12 & 13. You know, Brande's accident happened a year ago 4/12/2009 and it was Easter Sunday. We did not cook dinner this year. My nephew Joe Montrosse came down and took care of mom and I. We went out to dinner with my husband Phillip, our boys,Myles and Reece, mom and pop too. First time I have ever had Mexican food for Easter. We tend to do funny things when the chair at the table sitting empty.
I know that she is still with me, but gees, I miss holding her and hugging her and picking on her when she Would do silly things. My memories will always be treasured and always be happy, but this was hard for me. I remember her hiding eggs with me last year for the boys, and taking them to First Baptist Church with me for an egg hunt on Saturday that was already over when we got there. The youth minister and a few people at the church ended up putting out more eggs just for our family. That was really memorable and fun. it was the day before her accident and my last day to look into her smiling face and see my baby girl. What a wonderful day we had together. I am praying for a celebration of her life on the 22nd of April. This is the day she passed and I do not want to be alone, So I am thinking of things to do that day with my children. My husband will be leaving me that week for a trip with the school and I need lots of prayer. If you have any suggestions please leave them in a comment for me. Thanks and lots of love.... Sherry Denson Sellers
Thank him Daily.
Sherry Denson Sellers
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How Blessed I am because of you 
My God is an awesome God! On top of being invited to speak to members of LSU Hospital and LOPA I was given an amazing gift today. Libbie Harrison I love you girl. You know when God gives you a blessing it is certainly a blessing. Libbie Harrison (Justin Harrison's mom) sent me an email with the following information and I must say it is awesome except for the photo of me. I do not deserve an ounce of gratitude. I am where I am because of what Brande did. Nothing I could do could ever measure up except being a donor of course. Libbie and I became friends because of our children. They brought us together for friendship, support and hope. I am adding a photo of Justin. He is also on the hero's page at lopa.org. please go to the website listed below and read pages 12 & 13 about Brande and organ donation. Thank you Family Christian News. What a blessing my child is to so many and what a blessing God has given me by turning our tragedy into triumph for so many.
http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35034
http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=35034
Friday, March 26, 2010
April 1st is no Fools Day for Brande
I have just been contacted by Libbie Harrison at LOPA.org to speak for a group of people on 4/1/2010. What an honor and gift for me. My heart races when I get an invitation to speak. I am so very proud of my child and what she has done for so many. I will speak at a luncheon and training for the LHA. www.lopa.org go to the hero's page to see our angel.
thanks so much
Sherry Denson Sellers
820 Jordan St.Suite 385
Shreveport, LA
71101
(318) 425-2237
thanks so much
Sherry Denson Sellers
820 Jordan St.Suite 385
Shreveport, LA
71101
(318) 425-2237
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thanking the Louisiana Lions Eye Bank
The Shreveport Lions Eye Bank
721 Boulevard
Shreveport, LA 71104
Dear Christina, Paula and The staff at the Lions Eye Bank:
Please accept my greatest appreciation for your work in aiding me with the information on Brande’s Eye Recipients. I was so excited to hear that her eyes helped restore or improve someone’s vision. I think about it and wonder. If we were all blind would there be prejudice? I only know this. We know not what we can loose until we are faced with the challenge of regaining what we have lost. This is never easy, but knowing that by giving her organs Brande helped not one, but two people with vision problems makes me even more proud of my angel. I know you would have liked her. Everyone seemed to smile when she was in their midst.
We have her heart recipient in Phelps WI who is 66 years old. Her name is Barbara Larson and I will meet her in June 2010. She will also be here for the LOPA donor picnic at the State Fair of LA on Nov 6, 2010. I have also invited her Liver recipient Louis Smith from Gulf Port MS and his wife Charlotte who we met at the picnic last year on 11/7/2010. Brande was born 11/3/1989 and the state fair is where she spent most every birthday for the last 10 years. We have Kerry from LA who has her pancreas and right kidney, Serita from TX who has her left kidney, one man from Shreveport who has ligaments from her legs who can now walk after a motorcycle accident, and many others, including the two people in Ensenada and Tijuana Mexico I have yet to meet.
Wow. Now we celebrate one of her birthdays in Nov and so many more through her recipients. We have her hearts new birthday on April 24th, Barbara’s Dec 22 and her liver’s new birthday on April 23rd. We can now have new birthdays for her eyes and their recipients if we can find out the dates. It gives me so much to look forward to.
I am looking for employment in the field of donation, educating and supporting families faced with donation decisions. So, please if you find that your company has any openings I am a very hard worker and very passionate about what organ donation can do for everyone involved. I have worked in the public as an office manager
I would love to speak for your company on any occasion if you would just let me know. April will be a difficult month and because Brande had her accident on 4/12/2009, her accent to heaven 4/22/2009 I will have a lot to remember. The more I share about her, the better I feel inside. I will never fear her leaving only stand in awe of her accomplishments. She is my daughter, my angel, and so much more to me and so many others. What more can I say. Please read about Brande at the following web addresses where there are photos of our girl posted also.
http://www.lopa.org/heroes.html
http://www.brandesupdate.blogspot.com .
sherrydensonsellers@facebook.com
God speed and blessings to all.
Sherry Denson Sellers
1055 Southfield Road
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-294-9051 or 318-868-7190
721 Boulevard
Shreveport, LA 71104
Dear Christina, Paula and The staff at the Lions Eye Bank:
Please accept my greatest appreciation for your work in aiding me with the information on Brande’s Eye Recipients. I was so excited to hear that her eyes helped restore or improve someone’s vision. I think about it and wonder. If we were all blind would there be prejudice? I only know this. We know not what we can loose until we are faced with the challenge of regaining what we have lost. This is never easy, but knowing that by giving her organs Brande helped not one, but two people with vision problems makes me even more proud of my angel. I know you would have liked her. Everyone seemed to smile when she was in their midst.
We have her heart recipient in Phelps WI who is 66 years old. Her name is Barbara Larson and I will meet her in June 2010. She will also be here for the LOPA donor picnic at the State Fair of LA on Nov 6, 2010. I have also invited her Liver recipient Louis Smith from Gulf Port MS and his wife Charlotte who we met at the picnic last year on 11/7/2010. Brande was born 11/3/1989 and the state fair is where she spent most every birthday for the last 10 years. We have Kerry from LA who has her pancreas and right kidney, Serita from TX who has her left kidney, one man from Shreveport who has ligaments from her legs who can now walk after a motorcycle accident, and many others, including the two people in Ensenada and Tijuana Mexico I have yet to meet.
Wow. Now we celebrate one of her birthdays in Nov and so many more through her recipients. We have her hearts new birthday on April 24th, Barbara’s Dec 22 and her liver’s new birthday on April 23rd. We can now have new birthdays for her eyes and their recipients if we can find out the dates. It gives me so much to look forward to.
I am looking for employment in the field of donation, educating and supporting families faced with donation decisions. So, please if you find that your company has any openings I am a very hard worker and very passionate about what organ donation can do for everyone involved. I have worked in the public as an office manager
I would love to speak for your company on any occasion if you would just let me know. April will be a difficult month and because Brande had her accident on 4/12/2009, her accent to heaven 4/22/2009 I will have a lot to remember. The more I share about her, the better I feel inside. I will never fear her leaving only stand in awe of her accomplishments. She is my daughter, my angel, and so much more to me and so many others. What more can I say. Please read about Brande at the following web addresses where there are photos of our girl posted also.
http://www.lopa.org/heroes.html
http://www.brandesupdate.blogspot.com .
sherrydensonsellers@facebook.com
God speed and blessings to all.
Sherry Denson Sellers
1055 Southfield Road
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-294-9051 or 318-868-7190
Friday, March 12, 2010
What Brande is doing now....
Friday, March 12, 2010
What Brande is doing now
I know I have not written in some time, so here is a huge update for you on what Brande is doing in my life and for others.
In October of 2009 I spoke at the Women's social at the University Club downtown Shreveport where I was supported by Southfield Moms and friends. It was great to speak for Brande and make people aware of the importance of grief counseling and organ donation.
Nov, I went to Mary Queen of Peace on HWY 71 to speak for a young man in need of a kidney transplant. I was really frightend because it was only one mile from where my Brande had her terrible auto accident that caused her death. God really carried me through this one.... Wow... I ended up speaking on Sat mass and Sunday.
Phillip and I took the boys (Myles and Reece) to Chicago on an Amtrak train one week before Christmas. We returned home on Christmas Eve. First I did not want to be home for Christmas because Brande would not be there for the first time in 20 years. Wow, what a punch in the stomach. So we decided to take the boys for snow and go to my haven in Chicago at our dear friend Paul's home where I love to hide with my family. Brande loved Paul so much and we always had a great time there. While there I called Brande's heart recipient Barbara Larson in Phelps WI. She was not doing so well. Going through a bit of depression and not understanding why God left her here I believe. She was worried I would hate her because she carries the heart of my 20 year old child. Bless her. I told her I did not care if she was one hundred and two, that if Brande gave her only one day then she accomplished what she sat out to do in life and that was to help others. After talking to Barbara I found that her dad was in the hospital in Indiana only 16 miles from Paul's home. My husband drove me there where I met her father Michael and her sister who was visiting her dad at the time. They would not let the boys in the rooms because of the N1S1 or swine flu so my hubby and kids did not get to meet them. They waited patiently for an hour or better while i got to visit and find out that it was in fact Barbara's birthday. When we returned to Paul's home I called her and wished her a happy Birthday. She told me she did not want to tell me because she knew Brande just had one in Nov. Well now she has many I said. Brande has more than one now and that is a great accomplishment in my book. Her Hearts birthday is now is April 24, and December 22. How about that. We talked for some time and she promised to make me an angel food cake when we travel to meet her in June 2010.
I am happy to say that I am working through my grief. It is hard to miss someone so much sometimes but the friends who love and support me and Brande are precious to my and my life.
I did an interview for Donate Life telling Brande's story on KTBS news on Jan 24,th 2010. I was interviewed by Sonia Bailes and assisted by Sheron Raymond from LOPA. Here is the web sight if you would like to watch the video.http://www.ktbs.com/player/?video_id=24894&zone=1&categories=1Please send this on to anyone you know.
Next, I gave up red wine for 40 days of lent. I did not do so good with other things, but one thing at a time I say. I am truly proud for making the adjustment and knowing God can give me strength.I also went to Christus Shumpert hospital on Valentines day (2/14/2010) to speak for Duane Ebarb and his group of cancer survivors. What an awesome group to speak to . They had so many questions about organ donation and took lots of literature to share with family and friends on the importance of organ donation.
Then on Saturday March 6Th I went to Sci Port science and education center in Shreveport, LA to a health and science fair where I shared information on organ donation and the importance of donation for families of organ donors and recipients too. I also met the director of the lions Eye Bank of Shreveport LA who was awesome and has agreed to try to locate the people or person who has Brande's eyes. I met people from life share blood center, gave blood and received an angel donor mug in honor of Brande who gave blood the first time on her 17Th birthday. What an awesome day for me.
What Brande is doing now
I know I have not written in some time, so here is a huge update for you on what Brande is doing in my life and for others.
In October of 2009 I spoke at the Women's social at the University Club downtown Shreveport where I was supported by Southfield Moms and friends. It was great to speak for Brande and make people aware of the importance of grief counseling and organ donation.
Nov, I went to Mary Queen of Peace on HWY 71 to speak for a young man in need of a kidney transplant. I was really frightend because it was only one mile from where my Brande had her terrible auto accident that caused her death. God really carried me through this one.... Wow... I ended up speaking on Sat mass and Sunday.
Phillip and I took the boys (Myles and Reece) to Chicago on an Amtrak train one week before Christmas. We returned home on Christmas Eve. First I did not want to be home for Christmas because Brande would not be there for the first time in 20 years. Wow, what a punch in the stomach. So we decided to take the boys for snow and go to my haven in Chicago at our dear friend Paul's home where I love to hide with my family. Brande loved Paul so much and we always had a great time there. While there I called Brande's heart recipient Barbara Larson in Phelps WI. She was not doing so well. Going through a bit of depression and not understanding why God left her here I believe. She was worried I would hate her because she carries the heart of my 20 year old child. Bless her. I told her I did not care if she was one hundred and two, that if Brande gave her only one day then she accomplished what she sat out to do in life and that was to help others. After talking to Barbara I found that her dad was in the hospital in Indiana only 16 miles from Paul's home. My husband drove me there where I met her father Michael and her sister who was visiting her dad at the time. They would not let the boys in the rooms because of the N1S1 or swine flu so my hubby and kids did not get to meet them. They waited patiently for an hour or better while i got to visit and find out that it was in fact Barbara's birthday. When we returned to Paul's home I called her and wished her a happy Birthday. She told me she did not want to tell me because she knew Brande just had one in Nov. Well now she has many I said. Brande has more than one now and that is a great accomplishment in my book. Her Hearts birthday is now is April 24, and December 22. How about that. We talked for some time and she promised to make me an angel food cake when we travel to meet her in June 2010.
I am happy to say that I am working through my grief. It is hard to miss someone so much sometimes but the friends who love and support me and Brande are precious to my and my life.
I did an interview for Donate Life telling Brande's story on KTBS news on Jan 24,th 2010. I was interviewed by Sonia Bailes and assisted by Sheron Raymond from LOPA. Here is the web sight if you would like to watch the video.http://www.ktbs.com/player/?video_id=24894&zone=1&categories=1Please send this on to anyone you know.
Next, I gave up red wine for 40 days of lent. I did not do so good with other things, but one thing at a time I say. I am truly proud for making the adjustment and knowing God can give me strength.I also went to Christus Shumpert hospital on Valentines day (2/14/2010) to speak for Duane Ebarb and his group of cancer survivors. What an awesome group to speak to . They had so many questions about organ donation and took lots of literature to share with family and friends on the importance of organ donation.
Then on Saturday March 6Th I went to Sci Port science and education center in Shreveport, LA to a health and science fair where I shared information on organ donation and the importance of donation for families of organ donors and recipients too. I also met the director of the lions Eye Bank of Shreveport LA who was awesome and has agreed to try to locate the people or person who has Brande's eyes. I met people from life share blood center, gave blood and received an angel donor mug in honor of Brande who gave blood the first time on her 17Th birthday. What an awesome day for me.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
memory jewels in honor of our girl
We are presently working with a local artist in developing new memory jewels for families who want a little part of their loved one with them all the time. In the midst of all this my friend and local artist offered to make this jewelry for grieving and longing parents, spouses, friends and children of loved ones past or loved ones in another state, country or the military. We can make the jewelry incorporating your loved ones ashes, fingernail, hair or tiny pieces of fabric from a favorite clothing article, teddy bear, etc. Please feel free to ask any questions and we will try to promptly answer any and all questions you might have. I have added a few photos including one we can make with a small dragonfly. We also do animals remains or hair follicle. Each piece is sold for $65.00 and $10 will go to Donate Life in honor of Brande Nicole Denson.
Call the artist for more info
Su Stella
228-2632333
May the sun shine on you each day, even if just a little.....
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Oh my, What a weekend we have had with Brande's recipient family. I am so proud to say that we met Louis and his beautiful wife Charlotte. son Sean and his wife Farrah. we were so excited to meet and spend time with them thanks to Donate Life and lopa.org. I just have to thank Louis for sharing his family and his journey with me and my family. I am sure he was a bit overwhelmed when he met me. I am so interested in meeting the people my daughter has helped in life. Louis and his family are such wonderful people and they were given a miracle that was produced by God and Brande. He used her to create this miracle for their family and she lives on through them. You know, I believe to this day that satin can set before us what he will but God will decide on all miracles in the end. I am so happy that this family decided to share their journey with ours. Thank you Louis, Charlotte, Sean and Farrah for being here for our family in our time of need and our search for understanding. We are so happy that Louis is doing well and cannot wait to spend time with your family again. We miss our loving little happy girl and know that her blessing has created another chapter in our lives. You have given us hope that other organ recipients will contact us so we can see how they have progressed after surgery. I spoke of you at the University Club in Shreveport today and shared your story and photos with heart filled love for your family. Brande continues in life afterlife to help others and that is just what she did on earth. We are so proud of her and of you for both accomplishing the unbelievable task of survival. I know a lot of you will not understand the concept, but Brande and Louis know exactly what I am talking about. God Bless YOU................Sherry Denson Sellers
