Notes Left Behind

This is Elena:

-She always eats her vegetables first.
-She can never wear enough pink.
-She always writes her name backwards—not because she doesn’t know how to write it, but because she “just likes the way it looks.”
-She crosses her legs when she sits.
-There is nothing better than art class, except, of course, a trip to the library.
-Fiction is better than nonfiction.
-Skip the pop, give her milk. And pour it in a wineglass and say “cheers.”
-She loves “squibble-squabbles” (lace and ruffles).
-Tights are best when in jungle patterns or polka dots.
-No pants, only dresses.
-She loves babies.
-When you play school, she is always the teacher.
-Mom is best for cuddling.
-Sally (a grumpy old Chihuahua) is the best pet she never had.
-You can never have enough headbands.
-All she ever wants in life is to be a mom.

Elena Desserich was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer when she was just 5 years old. In August 2007 she lost her battle at the age of 6. When Elena was diagnosed, her parents were told she had just 135 days to live. They never told her she was dying and wanted to make the time left special for Elena and the hole family. During her 9 months battle Elena was secretly writing love notes to her family members and hiding them between the pages of books, in cupboards, drawers, bags etc. in her house and the houses of relatives. Her family found the first ones a few days after she died and have found them ever since, they never want to find the last one as everytime they find one its like a hug from Elena. "She was a child who was wise beyond her years. I hate to think she knew she was dying but I think she did."