An Introduction to Angel Stitches

- by Caitlin

There is no telling what the future brings. That's a lesson we all have to learn - some harder than others. One of the persons I've met and befriended on the internet is Connie Small. Her daughter, Cassondra Annette Small, died in a traffic accident.This site is created as a gift from me to Connie - and to Cassy, the young woman, I never met, but feel I know so well through her mothers writings. Feel free to mail me, if you notice any broken links or have other technical problems with this site. For everything else, please contact Connie Small.

Cassondra was born on August 13, 1980. She would have been 21 years old today, but her life was cut short on November 6, year 2000. She lived only 20 years, but her life has touched thousands. Cassondra loved the 60's, Grateful Dead, "deady bears", Peace signs, flowers, butterflies, Janis Joplin and reggae.

She also loved bell bottom jeans and bibs, the Beatles, food (lots of it!) and rings. She made hemp jewellery and tons of it! She made mostly necklaces and also made some bracelets and ankle rings. You never saw her without several hemp necklaces on.

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The background created here shows Stagger Lee, a Deady Bear. You'll see him around the site. I've tried to organize Connies writing by date (in the index) and by general topic (through the menus). So far I've made it through last year. Please let me know any suggestions you have for improvements.

I hope you'll enjoy this site and that you'll learn from Connies writing to live life and share love - you never know when life ends. Don't be worried if you feel like crying when you read Connies writing - I cry every time...


November 2000 December 2000 February 2001 March 2001 April 2001
The Day My World Stood Still Angel Stitches What Is Time? It's me God, but I'm not talking to you It Happened Again!
You Are 12 Days Old... ... I cannot say good-bye. Do I betray myself? Four months Grandma, I saw Cassy...
It's CassOndra! How could you leave me? "Grandma, I miss Cassy" Stop telling me how wrong I am! My Misty..... simple..... complex
Dearest Cassy My darkest hours How do I keep your memory alive? Without a second thought......... My first-born; my rock; my Jen
Pay It Forward for Cassy Tortured by pictures... All the news that's fit to print? Lost. Easter Sunday
11-13-2000 Guilt My writings. Does this really help you? Time, enemy mine
I Had To Let Her Go I remember your "firsts" Unanswerable questions Death and anger Missing you
It wasn't me, mom! Death is like going to sleep "You'll destroy yourself" What you say....(What I hear) What part of "No"...
You will not be forgotten My shining star     Adam helps me cry
What NOT to say... Missing You     A picture is worth a thousand nightmares
Is it two weeks or one day? I want to run     I'm still not talking to you, God.
Why NOT me, Lord? I am in prison     He hugs me with his presence
My first Thanksgiving... A mother's love never dies     Constant reminders
Three weeks and one day ago Memories are just not enough      
A Child Shall Lead Them My bargain with death      
  As time passes      
  I do my crying in the rain      
  Always Winter      
  My bargain with death, part 2      
  The cross by the side of the road      

 

May 2001 June 2001 July 2001 August 2001 Helping Hands
"I would be tortured for you" My other girls My special memento of Cassy. I wished for it in my sleep Ode to Cassondra
Don't make me believe! Talking about my angel Forever 20 Nine months in time A Tribute to Angel Stitches
UN-Mother's Day The Mask of Grief Why I hide my grief "I'm sure it's discomforting" One Day
A special birthday butterfly See, I'm "normal" now My first waking thought "Grandma, Cassy's singing to me." Cassondra
How am I doing? Memories: How they help; how they hurt. "Grandma, I didn't know animals died!" They validated my feelings.  
"You'll destroy yourself" "I know how you feel." "Grandma, Cassy's here, Cassy's here!" Twenty-one years: Then and now In Loving Memory of Cassondra A. Small "Cassy"
I thought I was ready What have I learned? I miss our time together Happy Birthday to Cassy Day Cassy's Guestbook
"You don't have to worry about losing her now" Regrets, I have a few. "Grandma, Cassy told me to wipe your tears away" Cassy's Angel Stitches Web Site Join Angel Memories
"Grandma, why does Cassy throw down pennies for us?" A memory made me smile today   Cassy's Web Sites of Love  
Grief therapy? "It's good to hear you laugh"   Grandparents Essay  
My plans? My First Angels      
Grief Insomnia Ride 'em, Cowboy Cody!      
"Grandma, I want to die" Thanks for the memories?      
  Angel kisses for Adam      
  The healing power of a child      
  The tears won't stop      
  "Grandma, does Cassy live in a wheel house?"      

About Deady Bears: This is not a typo... This name originated when a man nicknamed "Bear" made acid blotter paper with cartoon bears in dancing positions and took these blotter papers to acid tests. Acid tests were meetings when LSD first originated , and where the Grateful Dead first began. When the bears were put on a shirt and marketed as Grateful Dead wear, they became "Acid Bears", "Jerry Bears", "Dancin' Bears", and "Deady Bears". Source: Matt's Grateful Dead Page