Today's (6/26/09) site observational quote talks about "time not healing everything, but helping most things" comes from a lot of personal experience. Including creating a dog character over a decade ago named Heal.  Above is one of the bookmarks we handed out at promotional events. The other part in the "we" (other than me) was a remarkable women, incredible creative spirit and dear friend MaryAnne McCoy. We created not only Heal, but "her parent" Shoulders. Shoulders and Heal went on to work for Johns Hopkins medical web-site and was even featured on PBS Frontiers of Medicine for providing kids breakthrough support and information on a range of illnesses and emotional conditions.

MaryAnne knew first hand about keeping it real and helping others.  In the early 90's she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Through a miracle- as she would say- as well as, remarkable treatment she recovered.  Three years ago next thursday, July 2nd, MaryAnne had a fatal seizure. Like Michael Jackson yesterday, it was shocking but always in the back of our minds given the history.

Heal, our little friend created for little kids lives in spirit and maybe elsewhere given all the dolls and friends she and Shoulders made along the way. Time has clearly not healed the hole MaryAnne's passing left, but it has helped me realize and appreciate maybe a little more each day, just what she left.

Always MaryAnne, always!