Donna

I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me... My child! What can I do for you? And I said, Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message... God smiled and answered... Request granted. I thought we could all use a BLESSING... Donna

Oh Nancy,I will keep Ron,Mike and you in my prayers..I am sure they will be sending PENNIES your way.. (((((Nancy)))) Love, Donna

Donna G. May God continue to bless you... Donna K

That was wonderful, Val..That hug must have been priceless!!I look forward to Mark's visit, and hug..So happy for you.. God Bless...Donna

God Bless You both!!! Great news!! Have a great holiday..

Good news for a change..I like that, not the ribs of course..Prayers and hugs to you, JC... Donna

I thought I would share this story with all my friends. When Mark was going through his treatment, we would always find a penny in the strangest places.. I would always tell him to pick it up and read "In God We trust" I would tell him my mother was looking down on us, and sending her blessings from above.. Mark and I always picked up the pennies and put them in a special place..When Mark was in NYU, I found 3 pennies over a few days, I said to my sister this means there is only going to be the three of us left: me, Corinne and my brother Matthew...The next day I found one more penny, I knew this meant Mark would never leave us.. I keep the four pennies on my nightstand.. Now that Mark is in heaven with my parents, I often find pennies in strange places..Now, I pick them up and say "thanks Mark, I love you too".. I have all the pennies in a special place so I can look at them and count my blessings from above.. I thought maybe you too can look for pennies from heaven.. Hope for all my friends... Donna

I have family in astoria, the name is Parrino..Nice to meet a fellow New Yorker..

Bunny..The salon is in the Pocono's, pa..mark worked on 57th and 5th Ave for 20 years..he used to do all the movie stars, Ford models, Elite Models, etc..He has quite the bio..He moved to pa., 18 yeras ago and when they all heard where he was from, and the beautiful work he did his name was bigger than life in Pa..I see you are from NYC, where? Mark loved the city with a passion, we used to go back for plays, dinner, etc..I miss it as well..Ironically he died back in NY, the city he loved so much..

I guess my brother helped me out with this one..One of his hairdressers is going to take over his station..Thanks mark!! I don't have to worry about this any longer, the problem is solved..Thanks guys for all the great suggestions..I guess they really do watch over us, and help us from heaven..

Just another silly thing that bothers me all day..I know i am being foolish, and it will get better..I guess I am hoping for a miracle over night..I know grief takes time, but I wish the time would pass quickly and I know that is not possible..You guys make me realize more and more each day..I am grateful for that.. Hugs to all my (((((friends)))) here... Donna

Cindi, We tried that..it is very hard up here to get good people..The salon is an upscale salon, the girls are all very experiences 15 plus years each..Maybe just take his chair away and put plants on his counter??

So far my best strategy has been, take a zanex and go to bed..Maybe you guys have a solution for my biggest problem..Mark has a beautiful hair salon, Mark Anthony Salon..He left it to me, because we would be there evry day together for the last 18 years and I know the business..His station was right in the middle of the shop, as you walk in..Of course, he was the STAR.. Now it is empty and all I do is look at it all day, with the empty chair and all his things still on the counter..Can any one think of something I can do to make this station less upsetting to me.. I already offered it to the other hairdressers, and they don't want to switch theirs..I feel like this is making it worse looking at a shrine all day.. I would appreciate any suggestions.. I think this is the biggest problem I have, being there all day with out Mark..

Another day, more crying..I want to call him so much..This is not real!! When will this pain feel better..I never felt pain so bad in my heart..I feel like I will never be the same again..I love him so much, and miss him every minute of every day..He was my best friend!! I wish God would have taken me not him..He means so much to so many people..This life is so unfair..It is 3 weeks ago today, and the pain gets worse with every minute..I wish there was a way to hug him, and talk to him again..I apologize for making all of you upset..I keep praying for strength, but I get weaker.. So sorry... Donna

Ann..that was just beautiful!! Thanks so much, this poem says it all.. Donna

Dear Cindi, Your kind words mean so much..I am glad you like the picture of Mark and me, that was taken last summer 2004 in Florida..You and I share a lot, loosing our brothers at such a young age and loving them so much it hurts..I am so glad i have all of you to talk to, you all have been a blessing to me..When mark was sick, I would post here late at night and always find comfort right till the end..I am sure God and Mark will give me the strength I need to move on, I know I can always count on my friends.. Blessing and lots hugs, Donna

Rochelle, Mark had great taste in everything..Rolex, cars, clothes, etc..He was so special!!

Okay..here goes..Mark was loving, compassionate, funny, a great hairdresser from NYC, giving all the time, helping sick people on the ambulance, he was an EMT..he was an all around great guy and the world's BEST brother..After his first round of chemo was done, he brought all the nurses Godiva Chocolates to say thanks for all they did..Always giving gifts to say thanks..God gave us a gift, when he gave us Mark..To know him was to love him.. Donna

Hi nancy, My brother was on the same drugs, with little or no side effects..He did very well..He took a pill called Emend for nausea, they had to be approved by his insurance.Here is the link for the pills..best of luck to you..You are in my prayers.. http://www.emend.com/aprepitant/emend/c ... /index.jsp Donna

We don't ofen think that others share the same pain and feeling of loss that we do..You guys have made me feel a whole lot better today, Thanks so much..It helps to hear how others deal with grief, it puts another light on what I can do to help myself..I don't want Mark's death to make me feel like a zombie, but that is physically how i am feeling..I can't sleep, eat, function.I am trying not to give in to these feelings. I know it will get easier as time goes on, but it is like a new world without my brother by my side..I will get through this, as long as I have great friends like all of you.. Many blessings and hugs to my dear friends here.. Donna

I don't know what to do..I have been crying all day long, every time I think of my brother I want him back, and i cannot believe he is gone for good..I have been crying constantly.I told me sister I would take my own life if i thought I could be with mark..I know that is not logical but it is how I feel. I don't want to talk to any one, or see any one..I want to be left alone..I know my thinking is wrong and I am trying to cope with this loss, but some how it is not happening. I know my brother would be very angry with me right now, and i am trying to get out of this depression..What should I do to make things easier? This time, I am totally lost and afraid to face the next day.. Donna

Melinda..Prayers headed your way ASAP!!! Donna

"valley of the dolls"

winner takes all..

Donna, I did not write that, it was sent to me. You can change the names to any ones you want..It is a very sad poem, and I cried my eyes out when I received it but the words are so true..I made me feel a bit better inside, so I wanted to share it with my friends... Donna