Testimonials from Friends and Family

The support I have received from my friends and family has meant so much to me. Their words of encouragement have helped me find strength and confidence. Below are some of the letters and emails I have received from those close to me. Thanks to everyone for their support during this trying time.
First of all let me start off by saying what a caring self-sacrificing person Lorie is. As long as I can remember Lorie has always believed in helping others. I started to work for Lorie when I was about seventeen. I was the nanny for her children for about five years so needless to say they became a second family to me. Lorie then helped me advance my career by inviting me to be a partner in Real Estate. The first six months were rough for me. Lorie helped me through the tough times and taught me how to build my business. Her help then, is why I am still a Realtor today. She has also played an active part in fund raising events such as Children's Miracle Network, Junior League of Arlington, Adopt a Family for Christmas, and local Animal Services. I have always looked up to her for her caring spirit, generous nature, and loving positive attitude. Lorie has become not only one of my best friends, but true family to me. I know that she will come out of this surgery stronger then ever. Ready to share her story with others out there that face the same battle. Our prayers are with you Lorie!

Leslie Lake RE/MAX Associates of Arlington 817-946-6201
My Mom is one of the strongest women I have ever known. I strive to be like her everyday. She has always done what she puts her mind to and with her heart put into it. She is a very nurturing self-less person with an ambition that is sky high. When I feel a goal is to hard to reach in my own life I always have an amazing person to lean on. She has always been there for me and is not just my mother but my best friend. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful mother to depend on and look up to. I know this illness and upcoming surgery are huge, but I tend to look at it all and think that my mom is gonna beat it all with her incredible strength and high spirits she keeps about her. Just the other day we were on the phone after she had gotten out of the hospital and she said" I was in the paper today I made top lister in Real Estate for the month again." To me I look at this and think there truly isn't anything we can't do if we set our mind to it. I just wanna take a moment and thank my Mom for always teaching me that and for being such a great role model in my life. I love you!

Ashley
Lorie Bledsoe is an agent in my RE/MAX office, but she is more than just an agent to me. She is a dear friend who has bravely faced a rare pancreas disease that has continued to get worse over the last few years. Why do I feel close to Lorie? She is one of those people you just know you can count on. When she first came to RE/MAX , I knew she would be a successful realtor because she has that innate understanding of business, drive, determination, and honesty. With those qualities, you cannot help but be successful in real estate or any business for that matter. She is not 100% business though. Lorie has a very sweet, tender side that has been revealed to me many times. The caring, tender touch of a wife and mother are evident in the way she talks to and about her family. She speaks with such enthusiasm and pride when telling others about what is happening with each of them. There have been times over the last few years when we have laughed together about sheer joy of life and other times we cried together when life got tough, which it has a tendency to do from time to time. Lorie has bravely faced her health issues. But she has done more than that. She has made it a point to educate herself about her condition so she can know what to expect and she can know all her options and make informed decisions. I believe in prayer and the reason I am taking the time to write this letter about my friend, Lorie Bledsoe, is to encourage anyone who reads this letter to stop and thank God for her. If you pray, please ask for renewed health and a new strength for Lorie. Join me in lifting her up in prayer so she may feel the strength that comes through prayer and she may be encouraged knowing that we all love her and God loves her. All her friends want her to have the happiness and good health she truly deserves.

Jody Kautz Broker/ Owner RE/MAX associates of Arlington
For my mom.. For a long time, when I was younger, I felt as if my mother had left me. Perhaps even without being aware of it, it took its toll on me as I got older. For a long time, I lacked guidance and love, care and compassion, and lessons that every child should be taught. Knowledge that everyone should be given. For a long time, I was alone, or so I felt. For those of you that aren’t aware, Lorie is my step-mother. As some could imagine, it’s hard as a child to accept someone else as your parent. You are only given 2 to start with, and they are for the most part irreplaceable, so it’s easy to understand that when someone else steps into your life and tries to compensate for the things that the person before them failed to do, it’s only natural to push that person away, because after all this time, you are used to being alone. It’s the step-parent’s greatest challenge. Like all challenges Lorie faces, she dominated this one as well. Since my mother left, Lorie has been there front and center. She has loved me like her own, and treated me with the same care and loyalty that any great parent delivers. She has guided me, not only in my personal life, but in my business life as well. She mentors me nearly every day from Real Estate to advice with marriage, with the everyday facts of life in between. She suffers tremendous pain, unrelenting nausea, all with about 4 hours of sleep a night, and yet she still has the strength and motivation to be a greater mom than any healthy woman in this world. How this is possible, I will never know. She may not have birthed me, she may not even be my mother, but unquestionably, she is and always will be, my mom.

Derrick Bledsoe
My friend, My sister, Lorie I came into your sisters life, A few short years ago, We did alot of fun things, That our parents did not know. My memories of the life we had, The times we wouldn't change, Our life that we were building, Was fun in many ways. You and I had bonded, Like family from the start, I gave my love to your sister, And it came from within my heart. I am a soul mate to your sister, And I'll love her all my life. Our love is unconditional, And she became my wife. So thank you for the good times, I owe my life to you, for without your love and friendship, Life just wouldn't be that cool. Thank You Lorie. I love you! God Bless

Milton O. Smith February 26, 2007
Lorie is my wife, best friend and the love of my life. Lorie and I have been married for almost 12 years and I have seen this disease slowly get the best of her. When she would get sick and have to go to the hospital it started off being once every 6 to 9 months for 3 to 4 days and now has progressed over the last 2 to 3 years to once every 4 to 6 weeks for 6 to 8 days. Lorie is a very strong and loving person who puts others needs before her own! Through out all the pain and nausea that she has had to endure she still works long hours and very hard to take care of her customer’s everyday. That is how strong and caring my wife is. She not only works hard everyday she still finds time to be a loving wife and a loving mother. She truly one amazing person! And I am very proud to have her as my wife and best friend. I pray everyday that she will come out of this surgery OK so that we can live our life and fulfill all the dreams that we have talked and dreamed about since the day we met. And as I promised I will rub lotion on Lorie’s legs everyday so that her legs do not get dry. I would also like to ask that everyone that visits this web site to please say a prayer for Lorie to come out of this surgery healthy and strong.

Eric Bledsoe Lorie’s loving husband
My Dear, Sweet Friend Lorie….I certainly was blessed with a wonderful friendship when Lorie came in to my life. She entered in it in so many ways that it was absolutely inevitable that we became friends. Her daughter worked for us, she sold our building, helped me in decisions with my home, has had Sheltons pictures made for years. We have so much in common it is absolutely unbelievable. Sitting on the plane next to her going to visit her lovely daughter, we shared stories. Unable to stop interrupting each other saying…"no, that happened to me". Bottom line, we relate to one another and have had parallel lives for so many years. I know that not every person has the privilege of knowing someone that absolutely understands you, your emotions, your ambitions, your concerns and your joy. But this is what I have with Lorie. Unfortunately there is one part of Lorie and that is her illness. I thank God, that I have not experienced anything similar to this. It is very difficult for me to face and understand how real it is. We are the same age, our kids went to the same schools, both have businesses, both are very strong, we have husbands that adore us, we are animal crazy, love to joke, laugh, socialize and…shop! How is this for her and not for me? Only God really knows this, I will pray to him that my precious friend get back to the life she knew before this illness. It has robbed her of time she could have had enjoying this life we have here. It is for a short period of time as it is. We are not the doctors; we can only be the support team. Because of the wonderful person Lorie is and the wonderful things she has done in this life. (She certainly has one). Let us all continue to do what we can to understand, be there, have compassion, fill in for and help support this amazing medical journey she is about to undergo.

Cheri Sheppard
A Letter to my daughter Lorie Dear Lorie, Lorie, this year you will be facing your biggest and hardest challenge of your life! My mind is at peace though. I know that if anyone on this earth can overcome all the hard times associated with this transplant, you are the one. Your ability to educate yourself about what lies ahead will get you through this. The love and devotion of your family, friends, & loved ones will help you on your way to good health. I know your aware of our support, however, you cannot begin to realize how many times I have wanted to hold you and tell you how proud of you I am for all the things you have done. I am also so very proud of you for facing this horrible disease head on and not giving in to it. You’re a fighter and you will win! As I write this I am thinking about all the times while you were growing up and in our care that we enjoyed so many things with all the gusto we could muster. Lake Shasta comes to mind and your ability to learn so quickly to water ski. You grew up so fast it was like a blink of an eye and you were out of the nest and on your own. Like everything else in your young life you said, “world, here I am, and I’m going places” You have accomplished so many things and helped so many people to achieve their goals and dreams, now it’s your time. Now its time for you to put aside all those things and direct all your energy into winning this fight and go on with your life in good health. Lorie I love you.

Dad
I have only known Lorie for a few short years. I am dating her nephew Cameron. I remember the first time I met Lorie, I remember thinking she is a very beautiful person and I could tell she was living her life to the fullest. Little did I know she had this disease. I remember Kathy and Cameron explaining it to me and hearing of her days and nights spent in the hospital. Through the last two years of seeing Lorie and talking with her I have learned she is a very strong person who can put the pain aside and show anyone her true colors and love. I know through these difficult times for Lorie and her family she has a tremendous amount of love and support behind her. I think of Lorie everyday and will pray for her every night. Love you very much Lorie

Shauna O’Callahan
Auntie Lorie, We are so proud that you've remained so strong though it all. And we are so excited with hope that this surgery will give you back the freedom to travel, and live your life to it's greatest. You still have so many things to do: 1. Visit Ashley in Japan (Jet Lag is difficult enough) 2. Witness your grandbabies being born (You'll need a ton of energy to chase after them.) 3. Witness your only neice having babies (That are just as stubborn as you and I were growing up.) 4. Retire and live a wonderfully relaxing existance (Not only with your love Eric, but Pepe and Riley as well) These are just a few of the goals that lay ahead of you in life. You have been an inspiration to me the whole time I was growing up. I always felt that there was no one out there like me, and then mom would say how much like you and granddad I am, and that made me feel good. For he is the leader, and you are the heart of the family. And if I have a little of both of you I know life will be great. You have believed in me all this time and now it's time for me to reassure you that I believe in you. You are stong, independent, graceful, loving, and tiredless. You can make it and bounce back with vigor! We love you so!

Kylie

I've known Lorie since i was in the 7th grade, she has always been one of the most supportive people i've ever known.  I had alot of trouble when i was younger trying to figure out what exactly i wanted to do with my life.  If i ever had any family problems she was there to take me in and tell me that everything was gonna be alright.  Seeing her going through the medical problems she's had tears me up inside.  I would never wish the problems she's gone through on anyone in the world, but if there weren't people like her to educate everyone on the problems of pancreatitus alot would be unknown.  I decided to join the military about a year and a half ago,  Lorie was a little hesitant at first because of the war that has been going on in Iraq, but once again she was entirely supportive and told me they would always be there for me and that i wasn't doing it all alone.  Alot of people ask me why exactly I joined the Army and do what i do each day, and to tell you the truth i tell em i do it for people like my mother in law, Lorie.  Without the advice, love and support she has given me i would be a total failure in life.  I'll be there for her through this surgery and anything else the world has to throw at her,  I could never imagine life without her.

Robert


Lorie Bledsoe is truly a remarkable individual!!!She is an angel who is full of life. For as long as I have known her-she has been an inspiration to many!!!I would never have guessed when I met Lorie many years ago that she was battling a relentless disease.

But I have seen this disease really take a toll on Lorie in the past couple of years, but you know our Lorie-she just keeps on going strong. Through all of these trails and tribulations Lorie remains that person that everyone can count on. She is a true friend!

She is always there with a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. She has an inner strength, a love for life, and a spirit that is so beautiful.

One of the things that has amazed me throughout Lorie’s trials with her illness has been her ability to continue to smile and live her life to the fullest. She is an inspiration to us all!!!! She has also continued to work full steam ahead-due to her strong work ethic-again to the amazement of those around her.I truly believe that Lorie is a special person and someone that will take this disease and help others through it.

We are all praying for you Lorie. You mean the world to us all!!! We are all so
blessed to have you in our lives. We know that you will come through this
surgery with your usual strength and perseverance.

With All My Love,
Michelle Hilton