May 15, 2007
Tina Gille (mom) writes:
When Chrissy was a little girl we lived just a few blocks away from my mom and often we would stop by Granny’s on our way to or from some activity. Usually when we did there was a debate as to whether Chrissy would continue on with us or stay at Granny’s. Sometimes I would say, “Chrissy, the rest of us are just going home to take a nap so if you want to stay here and play you can.” But no, she would decide to go with us, afraid she was going to miss something, and then be so sorry when she realized we really were just going home for nap time. Other times she would insist on staying at Granny’s despite being told that everyone else was going to the zoo, or swimming, or to get icees, and then be so sad when all the other kids came back with sunburns, and treats, and stories about how much fun they’d had. Each time she would stand at Granny’s porch trying so hard to decide which way to go…..and it became family legend that Chrissy never could make the right choice as when to come and when to go. Recently we watched as our baby again struggled with whether she should stay or if it was her time to leave and once again we didn’t know how to help her make the right choice.
Many people did not recognize what a strong spiritual side Chrissy had . They might be surprised to know that she always had her radio tuned to Christian Rock stations and if you went to her home you would see her very well read scriptures lying somewhere close to where she had last been sitting. She did not leave this world because she was so depressed, or mad, or selfish, or wicked, but because, as she told many in our family, she wanted to prove her faith and be with God. Because of her confusion and her mental health issues, she truly believed that she was doing what she was supposed to do.
Everyone we know has heard Afton and I tell “Chrissy” stories but, I’m afraid we didn’t tell you the whole story.
We complained about her freely spending our money and using our credit cards, but we didn’t tell you how generous she was with her own money. We told you when we had to step in and fix something for her, but we didn’t tell you about all the long hours she spent scraping up old floor tiles or cleaning dirty bathrooms in one of Afton’s rent houses. We told you how much we had to do for Keller and Kamryn, but we didn’t tell you that Chrissy knew full well how we delighted in every minute and wouldn’t have had it any other way. We probably talked about how beautiful she was, but we didn’t tell you that most of the time she went around with her hair in a pony tail and wasn’t afraid of acting silly. We told you when she frustrated and irritated us, but we didn’t tell you that when she was happy and smiling that beautiful huge smile, and throwing all that hair around, she gave us such great joy and made life worth living.
__________________________________________________________
May 24, 2007
May 24, 2007
Lacey (Gille) McKay writes:
I have so many memories of my sister, it's hard to pick just one story to share.
Chrissy was one year older than me and we shared a bedroom until she moved out of the house when she was 17. As kids, one of our favorite things to do was play with our Barbie dolls. We would convert our bedroom into a giant Barbie house by putting yarn along the floor to define the walls of the house.
We also used to play "house" and "school" with our brothers and cousins. Chrissy always seemed to end up with the roles of father, teacher, doctor, etc, because she was older and taller than the rest of us, but she was a pretty good sport about it.
I also remember a game we used to play when we were around 8 and 9 years old. Late at night, after everyone else had gone to bed, we would kick all of the blankets and pillows off our bed, turn the ceiling fan on full blast, huddle together, and pretend we were homeless. I remember feeling kind of scared and safe at the same time.
We had our share of sisterly disputes too... When we were teenagers, she'd loan out my clothes without asking first, she'd make fun of the way I looked, she'd steal my make-up and jewelry, and she even stole a few of my boyfriends, but when it really mattered, Chrissy was always there for me. When I needed someone to talk to, Chrissy would surprise me by knowing exactly the right thing to say.
Chrissy was always a teaser. I'll never forget the time she called me up about six weeks before my wedding day and told me that she'd be wearing a cast to the ceremony because she'd fallen out of the car while putting Keller in his car seat and had broken her arm. She really did fall out of the car and hurt her arm, but she knew she'd be out of the cast before the wedding and she just wanted to get me all worked up. That girl sure knew how to push my buttons!
One of my biggest regrets is that she missed the birth of my daughter. I was present for the births of both of her children and they were some of the most exciting experiences of my life. Chrissy always wanted to be present for a live birth (one in which she was not the one doing all the work) but when I had Abbey, my labor went so quickly and Chrissy didn't make it in time. She called me after I delivered and she was so upset about it. I promised her that she would be there when my next child was born, but I guess she'll have to be there in spirit.
I'm sad for all the memories that could have been, but I can't dwell on that. Instead, I will hold tight to all of the good times we did have together and I will cherish them always.
I have this song stuck in my head right now... We used to sing it when we were little:
She's about this high,
She's taller than I,
Sometimes she helps me tie my shoes.
She's my sister.
And she plays with me,
And I hope that she is glad
That I'm her sister too.
She's about this high,
She's smaller than I,
Sometimes I help her tie her shoes.
She's my sister.
And she plays with me,
And I hope that she is glad
That I'm her sister too.
I love you Chrissy. It's strange for me to think that I am going to grow older than you, but in my heart, you'll always be my big sister!
_________________________________________________
I have so many memories of my sister, it's hard to pick just one story to share.
Chrissy was one year older than me and we shared a bedroom until she moved out of the house when she was 17. As kids, one of our favorite things to do was play with our Barbie dolls. We would convert our bedroom into a giant Barbie house by putting yarn along the floor to define the walls of the house.
We also used to play "house" and "school" with our brothers and cousins. Chrissy always seemed to end up with the roles of father, teacher, doctor, etc, because she was older and taller than the rest of us, but she was a pretty good sport about it.
I also remember a game we used to play when we were around 8 and 9 years old. Late at night, after everyone else had gone to bed, we would kick all of the blankets and pillows off our bed, turn the ceiling fan on full blast, huddle together, and pretend we were homeless. I remember feeling kind of scared and safe at the same time.
We had our share of sisterly disputes too... When we were teenagers, she'd loan out my clothes without asking first, she'd make fun of the way I looked, she'd steal my make-up and jewelry, and she even stole a few of my boyfriends, but when it really mattered, Chrissy was always there for me. When I needed someone to talk to, Chrissy would surprise me by knowing exactly the right thing to say.
Chrissy was always a teaser. I'll never forget the time she called me up about six weeks before my wedding day and told me that she'd be wearing a cast to the ceremony because she'd fallen out of the car while putting Keller in his car seat and had broken her arm. She really did fall out of the car and hurt her arm, but she knew she'd be out of the cast before the wedding and she just wanted to get me all worked up. That girl sure knew how to push my buttons!
One of my biggest regrets is that she missed the birth of my daughter. I was present for the births of both of her children and they were some of the most exciting experiences of my life. Chrissy always wanted to be present for a live birth (one in which she was not the one doing all the work) but when I had Abbey, my labor went so quickly and Chrissy didn't make it in time. She called me after I delivered and she was so upset about it. I promised her that she would be there when my next child was born, but I guess she'll have to be there in spirit.
I'm sad for all the memories that could have been, but I can't dwell on that. Instead, I will hold tight to all of the good times we did have together and I will cherish them always.
I have this song stuck in my head right now... We used to sing it when we were little:
She's about this high,
She's taller than I,
Sometimes she helps me tie my shoes.
She's my sister.
And she plays with me,
And I hope that she is glad
That I'm her sister too.
She's about this high,
She's smaller than I,
Sometimes I help her tie her shoes.
She's my sister.
And she plays with me,
And I hope that she is glad
That I'm her sister too.
I love you Chrissy. It's strange for me to think that I am going to grow older than you, but in my heart, you'll always be my big sister!
_________________________________________________
May 24, 2007
Tiffany (Gille) Feger writes:
My sister, Kat, and I grew up 2 hours away from Chrissy and Lacey but we got together pretty much every long weekend and school break that we could. Our moms would drive us to the half-way point - Tanger Outlet Mall in Stroud. Then the four of us "Gille Girls" would unite in one car and drive to one of our houses.
It seemed like a long drive there but the ride back with all four of us was always so memorable. We loved to sing Primary songs. We would take turns picking what songs to sing. We harmonized with each other and I LOVED it. There were songs where we would all sing the first verse then all sing the second verse then we'd split and sing both together in harmony. We even sung soprano and alto on some songs. I remember thinking that I would never forget those times because we were so happy and care-free.
This mall isn't even there any more and it was such a landmark for our childhood. It was hit by the May 3rd tornados and only one building was left standing. Now it's just a big cement slab.
Kathryn, Lacey, Chrissy, Holly, and Tiffany
Chrissy was so thoughtful. She was so excited for me when I was pregnant with Dylan. She couldn't wait to find out the sex and was disspointed when she would call and I didn't have any new news for her. She was so happy that I was having a boy then she suggested the theme for his room. I hadn't even thought about decorating a nursrey but the Surfing theme was perfect. She found the Pottery Barn bedding on eBay that I should use but it was too expensive for me at the time and was discontinued.
My mom told me that she would throw me a baby shower and my friend volunteered her house. All I did was give the guest list to my mom and show up. I got there a little early and guess who was waiting for me?!! Chrissy and Lacey! They had really been the ones who threw my shower. They had sent out the invitations, decorated, made games, and planned everything! I was so excited! Here's one of the many emails that was sent behind my back:
"Aunt Vicki,
Lacey was wondering if we could plan the shower for the end of Nov. or Dec. She doesn't want to take off from work in Jan. and then again in March for the blessing. I think she is just really excited to give tiffany her the baby gifts. We have been trying to work on making some invitations and here is what we got so far..still needs a little work. How many people are you planning on inviting? We really want to help out with everything we possibly can. I got her baby bedding in the mail last week and it is so adorable. Please just keep us updated. Thanks so much, love, Chrissy"
Lacey was wondering if we could plan the shower for the end of Nov. or Dec. She doesn't want to take off from work in Jan. and then again in March for the blessing. I think she is just really excited to give tiffany her the baby gifts. We have been trying to work on making some invitations and here is what we got so far..still needs a little work. How many people are you planning on inviting? We really want to help out with everything we possibly can. I got her baby bedding in the mail last week and it is so adorable. Please just keep us updated. Thanks so much, love, Chrissy"
Chrissy, Lacey, Andre, and Chrissy's family had bought the perfect bedding that Chrissy had picked out for me. I don't know where she found it - probably on eBay, but Dylan still uses it and I love it. Chrissy had Lacey and Andre made lots of things for the room and it went from just carpet and paint in the room to being fully furnished by the time they left. It was like magic. They helped so much.
I'm so glad that I took Dylan to Oklahoma last summer so she could meet him and so he could meet her. She was so happy to see him in person and even said that he was cuter than in the pictures. She knew how to make me feel good and happy.
_______________________________________________May 22, 2007
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the way things were when we were in school and I can remember one day going to the pool with you and your sister (and some other people), and bringing lemon juice with us to highlight our hair :) And I remember the night before your wedding night and we were all being so silly! We put beauty masks on our faces and went to Walmart in the middle of the night. Chrissy was always up for fun stuff like that!Anna (Dame) Backer writes:
Tiffany & Chrissy
Chrissy, Anna, Kathryn, Cassidy, & Courtney
Tiffany & Kathryn
Tiffany & Anna 
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