In Memory of Stacy Mazzone

Yesterday I received some very sad news, my friend, Stacy Mazzone passed away. She was such an incredible, amazing, and loving person. She constantly gave...opening her home & taking caring of anyone who needed help.

When I first met her, she had taken in two young brothers along with her two boys. She cared for them like they were her own. They were being raised by a single dad who worked a lot and often had to be away from home. Instead of allowing the boys to be alone, she took them in. She was their mom for several years.

She volunteered at the school, had parties almost weekly for her husbands Baseball/All Star teams. She was an incredible hostess. She was so vivacious and full of life. She made you feel as if you had known her for years.

Her friendly, openness drew me to her years ago on the baseball field. She was always cheering on her boys as they excelled in baseball. Her family were her heroes...they were her life. She seemed to draw strength from them.

It was never as apparent until the passing of her oldest son, Nick Mazzone (click link) last year. She struggled daily to fill the emptiness, trying to continue to find the strength to carry on.

As the months passed her sadness was apparent to all who had known her over the years. She had a huge gaping hole in her heart that she was unable to close. She continued to push, struggling to make it through each day for her husband Nick & young son Justin. Trying to hide the pain that consumed her daily.

Each one of us could not imagine the anguish of losing a child. As much as we might try to comprehend it...it's unfathomable.

I will forever remember Stacy Mazzone as the incredibly beautiful, fun loving, caring, amazing mom and friend that she was. Sitting in the baseball stands, loud blaring horn in hand...ready to sound it each and every time her boys hit a home run or their team won. Jumping up and down, blond hair flying as she hugged whoever was around during her excitement. Running to the snack bar before the game was over, standing at the gate as the team came out hugging them & handing out snack tickets. Shouting out, "POOL PARTY AT OUR HOUSE!"

You will be missed my friend!!!

Stacy's Memorial Service will be held:
Friday, May 21, 2010
11:00 a.m.
First Christian Church
1207 Main St
Huntington Beach, CA

The Loss of Daul

Photos of Model Daul Kim

Four months ago I stumbled across Daul Kim's Blog through Models.com. Daul was a famous Korean Model who was also a very talented painter. She wrote for a magazine and made frequent television appearances.

I've been following & commenting on Daul’s Blog regularly. Her deep sadness and sorrow was evident in her writing. I felt a sense of protectiveness because of her vulnerability. I always tried to write uplifting things to encourage her. She never responded but she did visit my Blog several times. I continued to feel the need to read her writings daily...I wanted to help her in some way. Trying to reach her deep lonliness. I last left a message on November 8th. Nothing inspirational or encouraging just idle talk. I clicked on her Blog late Wednesday night the 18th (her final post)...but never left a comment. She had posted a You Tube video with techno music and a final post: "say hi to...forever."

Upon hearing of her passing I felt such a deep sorrow. She was not only beautiful, but a deep, passionate & intelligent person. Reports say she was found hanging in her Paris apartment on November 19th by her boyfriend.

What could have been said to help her and change this? What did everyone around her miss?

My answer would have to be…no one ever knows the extent of someone’s depression. They become masters at hiding the pain behind humor. The mask that is worn is often a perfect disguise. But the writings tell of something deeper. We each need to really LISTEN to those around us who may be secretly crying out.

You will be missed Daul.

My prayers go out to her family and friends. Such an incredible loss of a beautiful, talented and intelligent, 20 year old girl with her whole life ahead of her.