On July 14,1982 in a small county hospital in Nebraska. Tammy, an eighteen-year old mother-to-be lay awaiting news from recent tests. What was wrong? Was her baby o.k? Throughout the course of the day, her life would forever be changed. She was soon informed that she had to be flown by helicopter to University Hospital in Omaha. She had a very rare and life threatening illness. After only 32 weeks of pregnancy, her baby had to be delivered by caesarean as soon as possible. Tammy's mother and husband were told that she may not make it. But, they had to try to save the baby. At 11:57p.m. a 2lb.6oz. baby girl was born. Feliesha Ann Ward, seemed to be pretty healthy, but very tiny. She needed to be in the premature nursery for close observation. Mother and daughter had survived. Their determination to be together had overwhelmed all odds. It was two months before Feliesha reached 5lbs. and was able to go home.She was such a blessing, a miracle, and a joy to everyone. She grew quickly over the next few months and was soon caught up with other babies her age. Feliesha was a very intelligent little girl and learned things quickly. She was always really good in school. She won many awards and was in many contests. Feliesha and her mother were very close. Feliesha loved her two brothers with all her heart and played with them a lot.But, due to personal circumstances, Feliesha's mother sent her to live with her grandparents when she was 14. Feliesha visited her mother and brothers on weekends, holidays, and summertime. It was important to Feliesha and her family that she stay in the same high school all four years. It was a nice small school where her family felt she was safe. Feliesha made many special friends during her high school years. She loved music and learned to play the acoustic guitar. She sang beautifully and spent most of her free time practicing her music. She played the harmonica and keyboards sometimes too. Singing and playing her guitar were very important to her. The summer before Feliesha's senior year, she spent at her mothers. She got her first official job, her drivers license, and her first car. She had received hundreds of letters from colleges. At 17, she had everything going for her. With a college finally chosen and a scholarship in hand, she was ready to finish high school and go off to college. She was excited about college and being on her own. Christmas 1999 was a really good time. She bought gifts for everyone with her own money. She went to many family gatherings and was excited about the new millenium. She was proud to be a graduate of 2000. She spent New Years eve with her best friend and knew it would bring about many changes in her life. The next weekend she spent with her family, because it was her new step-fathers birthday. That Sunday Feliesha and her mom spent the day watching movies on t.v. Feliesha liked to lay her head in her mothers lap and have her stroke her hair. Feliesha loved affection and her mom loved to give it. It was a nice relaxing day. Reluctantly, Feliesha left to go back to her grandparents for school the next day. On Monday morning, January 10,2000, after kissing her grandparents good-bye, she left for school. Feliesha never arrived at school that morning. At an intersection a couple of miles from school, she was hit broadside in the drivers' side door. Her life was ended instantly. She felt no pain, knew not what happened, only a bright light - a path ahead to heaven. The pain, sorrow, and suffering was left to be endured by her family and friends. Feliesha Ann Ward, was a very special girl. She endured a lot throughout her life, and always kept a heart of gold through it all. She was loving, caring, intelligent, talented, affectionate.....Her memory will live on, in the hearts and souls of all who were blessed to have known and loved her, in her music and in her poetry. May God bless and keep her until we see her again. |
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