Smile It Forward from the family of Tippy Toes!

If you live anywhere around Northeast Atlanta and are on facebook, you probably know of the group, Smiley for Kylie. If not, take a minute to visit Smiley For Kylie and find out about an amazing girl and her loving family. This beautiful girl had a contagious smile and encouraged thousands with how she and her family dealt with a devastating diagnosis.

On the night before Valentine's Day 2015, twelve year old, Kylie Myers was led into the realm of heaven where she encounters more joy than one can write about, imagine or comprehend.

My husband and I did not know her family, but there was a deep sadness that came across in my husband's voice as he processed the news. Sitting down he made several utterances, his thoughts really, just pouring out one right after another.

If only she didn't have the same last name as my sister.
If she didn't also pass away at the same young age of twelve.
If she hadn't had aggressive childhood cancer.
If she didn't also pass away in February, just like my sister, Terri.

While writing this post we also realized they both passed away on a Friday night. My husband, Scott, was only seven years of age at the time of his sister's death. He still is coming to realize all that his parents and sisters went through, especially now as the parent of a twelve year old himself. I never met Terri or Kylie, but their lives have made an impression on me and countless others.

Kylie's family asked people to Smile It Forward today, February 24th, in honor of Kylie's birthday. February 25th is the anniversary date of Terri's passing, 38 years ago. I decided to publish this post as a tribute to these brave young ladies, their amazing families and all the people who came around them to offer support.

Here is a picture of Terri Dianne Myers just before her diagnosis of Rhabdomyosarcoma. Kylie was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. Both of these precious girls had long beautiful hair and sweet dimples to go along with their warm smiles.

Both girls had an almost supernatural positive attitude in the way they handled themselves and encouraged others.

Beautiful smile!

Terri also loved to talk with new friends on the Citizens Band radio, her CB Handle name was "Tippy Toes." She became a favorite sweetheart of CB listeners and people from all over rallied around this frail but strong, little girl.

Both girls had big trips scheduled in February as the community gathered to grant them their wish. Kylie decided to stay home with her family as her health suddenly worsened. As you can see in the pic below, Terri was holding herself as best she could, no one knew at the time, but she only had sixteen more days before she would be going home.

Terri was able to spend time with the cast and crew of Welcome Back Kotter.

Terri met with actors, Robert Hegyes who played Juan Epstein and Ron Palillo who played Arnold Horshack. Brenda, Terri's mom, told me that Ron really focused on Terri, listened and was touched by her story as you can see in these pictures. Sadly, both of these actors have also passed away.

John Travolta who played Vinnie Barbarino was very kind as well.

Here she met Lieutenant Governor, Mervyn M. Dymally, of California.

This pic below speaks for itself.

Both Terri and Kylie enjoyed connecting with others. Terri used the CB radio and Kylie the internet.

The Police Chief of Smyrna really went out of his way to show love to the Myers family and stayed apart of their lives for  many years up until his passing in 1990.

Photo of Terri's parents, Roger and Brenda Myers, at City Hall for the proclamation of February 4th being "Terri Myers Day" in the City of Smyrna. Ironically, February 4th was the birthday of their first grandchild in 1997.

In this article, Roger had an opportunity to share an amazing encounter they had while out in California with seeing two gray whales that made an unusual appearance for their family. Roger always felt like those whales where sent by God to bring about a supernatural peace that defies explanation.

This last article was used in another post and tells the story their Family Portrait. If would like to know more about Terri's sister and brother, you can read their testimonies at Victoria's Friends and Shofar Outreach.

Thanking God for the beautiful lives of Terri and Kylie and how they continue to encourage others.

Keep smiling,

Christina