I remember when Lacey came to visit us with her parents and brothers. She was young maybe 8 or 9 yrs. and she wanted to go fishing. So we all booked passage on "The Fishing Fool". Lacey was so happy she walked gracefully across gangway to the boat, singing "We ain't leaving 'til we're heaving." Oh she made me laugh.

Now this was a big boat and there were 6 of us and an extra gentleman who happened to be a Priest. Lacey I and the Priest were fishing side by side. The poles were heavy and held as many as 9 hooks. I worried if we did catch anything we'd surely be pulled overboard. But not Lacey. She was catching fish faster than anyone else on the boat. I remember her leaning over to me and whispering low, "Wanna know my secret, Aunt Cherry?" I said, "Sure, what is it? - thinking she was going to tell me she did some fancy hook maneuvering." Lacey leaned in closer, "I pray," then she grinned this big grin with a twinkle in her eye. She was some special little girl. She'd steal your heart the moment you laid eyes on her.

We had gone fishing at 6am, I had bruises under my arms from holding that pole. Nothing was going to discourage Lacey. She  was so excited about her catch she wanted to cook it right away.

So we drove all the way back (1 hr) to Aunt Cherry's to cook the red fish. Lacey thought I could do anything. But I can't am a terrible cook. I looked for my trusty Betty Crocker cookbook and it said to bread the fish.

Well I didn't have any breading. But I had Capt Crunch cereal so that's what I used. I told Lacey it was Aunt Cherry's secret ingredient. I can remember the twinkle in her little eyes just looking at me in such adoration and she was going to keep that secret. Thankfully it turned out delicious - everyone else were very skeptical.

Later that year we went up to Chicago for Christmas which we always had at Lacey's. Her Mom made red fish that year. Lacey leaned over to me and said "It's not as good as ours Aunt Cherry, she forgot the secret ingredient....Capt Crunch!" She was such a beautiful adventurous girl. When I think of Lacey I know she could have become someone great. It's so sad. Christmas is going to be forever changed for so many. I miss her greatly.

I know she's in Heaven right now pulling in some big fish with her G'pa Charlie.

"PRAY" for Lacey. "PRAY" they catch her killer.


Lacey and me - the year we went fishing. Here we are the angels in my mother's yearly Christmas play. This year Lacey signs with the Angels in Heaven "Glory to God on the Highest."

Please God let there be justice for Lacey, I pray on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.