Desiree's Legacy

In Loving Memory of
Desiree' Shawnte' Burghduff
January 23, 1993 - August 28, 2003

Desiree’ Shawnte’ Burghduff

Just as I was almost at my worst so far look at what I found at our Fair I wasn't even going to go but went any way and this was in one of the exhibits there it is a plaque of Name root origins for Desiree' I hope you can blow it up to read what it says it just blew me away I was a blubbering idiot right there in the fair in front of everyone. For her name it's meaning is "So Long Hoped For" can you believe that and that is the truest thing I have ever heard she had been so long hoped for in so many ways I had always wanted a girl and always had boys she was my special gift...

On January 23, 1993 God delivered an angel to Darrell and Gennie Burghduff and on August 28, 2003 God called his angel back home to be with him. Desiree’ was the most beautiful and caring, child any parent could ever ask for. She loved life and people so much. When she was born it was the happiest day of my life. I always wanted a little girl and God finally answered my prayers when he sent me Desiree’.
I have 5 sons so she was my only daughter and she was the baby of the family.

GOD SENT TO US AN ‘ANGEL’

In Life God sometimes sends Angels
to teach us how to live.
and on the day god sent you to Us
it was the best gift he could give.

God delivered to us an Angel
and you were my life, my love, my hope,
You taught me so much about myself,
and what life truly means,
and when God called you back to him
I wondered how I’d cope.

I find myself always crying,
and inside I feel like dying
But... I know that's not what you would want
You would want me to go on and live
the way you lived for me,
with everyday you gave your all
and now God has sent you Free.

Today would be your birthday
oh how I wish that you were here
to see what we’ve created for you
So you may always live on
So everyone can share your life
and listen to your song.

It broke our hearts to lose you
and now that you are gone
a part of me went with you
but in my soul you’ll always be
to help me carry on....

Our Beautiful Desiree’ we love and miss you
more than words can ever say,
but, always know you’re in our hearts
each and every day.
Until the day god calls us home,
so you can guide us on our way.
For Eternity!!!
For my life, my love, My Angel!
Desiree’
We love you forever Mom & Dad and your Big Brothers
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Desiree’ was 5 months old and diagnosed with Cerebal Palsy. I was devastated. Why did God finally answer my prayers and then shatter them. That is what I had thought for quite some time, but then I realized just how much a blessing my daughter was and how incredibly special also. I could not have loved her anymore if she had not been handicapped. In fact I think I love her more because of her handicap it made her who she was and that is what made her so incredible.

These are two beautiful and loving gifts for Angel Desiree from my dear friend, Carol, mom to Angel Michael.

Though my daughter was only 10 years old when she left us she touched more people in her little life than most people do in a full lifetime. She never let her handicap get in her way of what she wanted to do she just found a way around it. She started school at the age of about 3 and loved it so very much. Her teachers and aides just loved having her around and also miss her deeply. She had some very special friends that used to meet us at my car and help her into the school everyday,
it was so cute they used to fight over who got to help her that day.

She used a walker to go everywhere and just before she passed away she was learning to stand and walk without her walker she was so proud of herself. I truly believe that she was a very special angel sent to us to teach us about life and about love. Unconditional love that knows no limits and she gave that easier than most people breathe. Desiree’ was a very determined little girl when she decided
she wanted something she never let anything stop her from getting it.

Her vocabulary was somewhat limited but that did not stop her from letting people know what she was trying to tell them she was very persistant. Her older brothers would give her the world. I believe that she was slower at learning some things she could have learned sooner if it had not been for them. They used to spoil her and not make her work for too much,
but isn’t that what big brothers are for?

Desiree’ loved the water so much, her baths and going to the lake were some of her favorite times, she also enjoyed camping with her family which we did every summer. Dad would pull our camper somewhere and set it up and she and I would stay until we got tired of that place and he’d take us somewhere else. I am going to miss our times so much. I feel so lost without her. She was so much a part of me and my life that I find it hard to know how to live without her.

Our Christmas Angels

Desiree’ loved the simple things in life, such as strings - those were her favorite things to play with. She would be happier with a colorful pair of shoelaces than she would a $100 doll. She loved to rock with her Daddy in the chair and have him spin her around. Every morning when He would get up and get ready for work I would hear her say morning morning to him and she would
open her door and scoot out into the hall and she was up for the day.

She loved her mornings. She just loved everything about life. She had the most incredible laugh, and smile and would just fill the room with love. Oh how I miss her so much. She was my world, my joy. She was even very much a part of my identity, a part of who I was. The following poem was written by a very dear friend of ours daughter who had said god had her write it, it is just beautiful, and it was read
at Desiree's memorial service.

So Grateful to Have Known
Written by Crystal DeLay
August 29, 2003

I look at my life today
and am so grateful to have known
such a beautifully created, strong-willed soul

I look at yesterday
and am so thankful to have seen
the utmost joy she brought to a wonderful family

A smile could bring a smile
a tear could bring a tear
to create memorable moments
that last beyond her years

And I ask……

What did God see in us
that we should be so blessed
to receive the gift of her joy, her bliss and happiness?

And now I can only imagine
the skies they must be ringing
For heaven to receive this beautiful gift
the angels must be singing

With outstretched arms he’ll welcome her
she’ll gladly run to the father
He’ll gently speak and say to her
“welcome home my daughter”

She’ll speak back to him with excitement
Her words in perfect rhyme
Hand in hand they’ll walk forever
Not bound to our known time

While here on Earth we tread the path
where things do not stay the same
with the sweetest reward she has received
I’m thankful for inevitable change

Lord, we feel honored for the chance
and all it turned out to be
for not everyone had the opportunity
her life they did not see

It’s clear her mission was temporary
she was that angel in disguise
sent to bring that special something
to each one of our lives

And for that special something
be grateful to have known
such a beautifully created, strong-willed soul

This picture is of me and all my kids that someone found,
it's the only one with all of my kids together with Desiree'

We Do Not Need A Special Day

We do not need a special day
To bring you to our minds
The days we do not think of you
Are very hard to find

Each morning when we awake
We know that you are gone
And no one knows the heartache
As we try to carry on

Our hearts still ache with sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No one will ever know

Our thoughts are always with you
Your place no one can fill
In life we loved you dearly
In death we love you still

There will always be a heartache
And often a silent tear
But always a precious memory
Of the days when you were here

If tears could build a staircase
And heartaches make a lane
We'd walk the path to Heaven
And bring you home again

We hold you close, within our hearts
And there you will remain
To walk with us throughout our lives
Until we meet again

Our family chain is broken now
An nothing seems the same
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.
Written by Connie Dyer

Take To A Star

I look to the stars tonight
There I saw your smile...
your face was written among
all the stars in the sky!!
So when I feel alone, I will
look for your smile among the stars.

JOY IN HEAVEN

Listen...can you hear it?
A heavenly choir sings.
Another little angel
Just got her set of wings.
There's joy and there is shouting
As she steps through heaven's gate.
They all lined up to greet her.
All the angels celebrate.
Her eyes are shining brightly
And a smile lights her face,
As she receives her halo
And takes her special place.
She's the smallest little angel
With the biggest kind of love.
She's wiser than an owl
And more peaceful than a dove.
And though there's joy in heaven,
There is sorrow down below.
broken hearts are crying
Since they had to let her go.
So she watches them from heaven
But she knows the time will come,
They will join their precious daughter
When their work on earth is done
~ Author Unknown

The Scientist
Performed by Coldplay

Come up to meet you,
tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are

I had to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart

Tell me your secrets
And ask me you questions
Oh let's go back to the start

Running in circles
Coming in tales
Heads are a science apart

Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start

I was just guessing
At numbers and figures
Pulling your puzzles apart

Questions of science
Science and progress
Do not speak as loud as my heart

Tell me you love me
Come back and haunt me
Oh and I rush to the start

Running in circles
Chasing tails
And coming back as we are

Nobody said it was easy
Oh it's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard

I'm going back to the start

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The prayer and the wonderful image above are gifts to Angel Desiree from my dear friend, Pammi.

Christmas In Heaven

To visit the special pages that Desiree's mom has made, please click on the Mickey button below ~

Thank you to my dear friend, Rosemary, for all your help with Desiree's photos
and the background for this page and also for creating the wonderful photo animations
and the absolutely beautiful angel wings picture for Desiree. You are the bestest!!
To visit Rosemary's web site for her daughter, Louise, please click on Louise's banner below ~

Thank you to my dear friend Lynn and her husband Mac for all your help with the song for Desiree's page.
To visit Lynn and Mac's web site for their son, Ken, please click on Ken's banner below ~

Benjiman's Site Map

I think about you and Desi almost everyday... I have attached a little something I made for her.
Hugs Karen, mother of Our Angel Jamie

Sweet Angel Desiree'
01-23-93 ~ 08-28-03

A Very Special Child, Desiree, was given to you for a very short time, it may seem very cruel to you, and for the rest of your life you will always be asking yourself but why me. GOD knew she was going to be very very special, and HE chose you to have her, because you are special too. Your ANGEL knows how special you were to her, she still knows how very special you are. She hasn't left you, she is with you day and night, right beside you.
Blessings To You
My Love
Sue-Anne~~~Lee'sMom

ANGEL Desiree has wandered into an unknown land, which GOD chose her for, you will wander there too one day, she will be waiting for you. In the meantime to see her, look up, open your Heart, she is there. One of those stars are her windows, she is looking through with that beautiful smile of her's.
My Love Is With You
Sue-Anne~~~Lee'sMom