Shari Lorenz

Kissing You Good-bye Shari Lorenz

This book of poems tells about the short life of Addison Catherine Courtney, born April 15, 2006 in Emporia Kansas. She was the first born child of Josh and Dawn Courtey. Driving from Michigan, my friend, soon to be grandma, and I drove to Kansas to see this new baby that was about to be born. Also with us was my 80 year old mother whom had suffered a major stroke ten months earlier, leaving her with mental and physical disorders. Arriving at the hospital, the day after her birth, everything appeared normal. A beautiful baby girl with dark hair, and when she opened them, pretty eyes. As the book explains, the next day we all ended up in Missouri, at Children's Mercy Hospital. Although this was one of the best hospitals you could ever find, this was the begining of a nightmare. While grandma was at the hospital, my mother and I spent many hours in a hotel suite we started to call home. With nothing to do but think and pray, I sat down and wrote a poem. This was the begining of what is now this book. Each day, after returning from the hospital, I began to ponder over what had happened that day. Instead of keeping a diary, I choose to write poems. My deepest wish is that people will take the time to learn more about Group B streptococcus, GBS. This deadly infection, if not stopped, can destroy some, or all brain cells, which is the reason that Addison is not with us today.