Special White Christmas Dream Fulfilled

This post has nothing to do with racing, but everything to do with the spirit of Christmas and trying to fulfill the dreams of others. The story comes from my adopted hometown of Wilson, North Carolina, where I lived and worked for Wrangler Jeans from 1970-1980. It's the town where I met my wife, Joyce and where both of my daughters were born. It's the one place I'd like to live again if I ever could.

I've lived in Virginia, Texas, South Carolina and five different cities in North Carolina, but Wilson is the one place my wife and I agree is "special" and the story below is an example of why we think that.

This comes for The Wilson Times newspaper:

Sunday, December 23, 2012 11:51 PM

Husband makes dream of snow come true

By Rochelle Moore | Times Staff Writer

Laurie Pearson has been dreaming of a white Christmas.

And just last week, she told loved ones the only thing she really wanted this year was to see snow. Even though Wilson had a white Christmas two years ago, snow isnt that common around the holidays or any other time of the year.

But on Saturday, Lauries home on Huntsmoor Lane turned into a winter wonderland and her front yard was the only place in Wilson covered with snow. Four tons of it.

I wanted snow at Christmas, but I didnt think I would get it, she said. Its awesome. It was the best Christmas ever.

The snow, which was blown onto her front lawn by Snow My Yard in Raleigh, was a gift from not only her husband, relatives, co-workers and friends but also Snow My Yard, which cut the price back from $3,000 to $350 because of the extraordinary circumstances involved.

Everyone wanted to make Christmas special this year as Laurie continues to battle Stage IV cancer. She was first diagnosed in February 2011 but treatment sent her into a six-month remission. The cancer, however, returned and spread into other areas of her body. In August, she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and has continued to receive treatment. Recent treatments could be promising, as her doctor is hopeful she is near remission once again.

But until doctor visits resume in January, shes focused on enjoying the holidays.

When someone asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said all she wanted was a white Christmas, her husband, Kevin, said.

Kevin kept the delivery of snow a secret and he took Laurie out of the house for several hours Saturday as a crew from Snow My Yard crushed ice and pumped the snow on her front yard.

She didnt have a clue, he said. It never crossed her mind.

As Kevin drove up to the house, Laurie asked him what he had done. He told her, You wanted a white Christmas and you got it.

He was pretty happy with the surprise as Laurie walked up to the house to find family in her front yard, watching and waiting. A friend stopped by and Laurie asked, Do you like my snow? He has lost his mind.

Laurie was a bit exhausted from being out for several hours but after taking a short break, she enjoyed seeing children, as well as adults, throwing snowballs, sledding and playing in the snow.

Lauries sister, Tammy Wilkins, said that Kevin has always tried to do all he can to make his wife happy.

Im not trying to give her the world, he said. Im just trying to give her what she wants.

Back in August when we found out her cancer had metastasized, we didnt think she was going to be here for Christmas. Im just blessed to have her for another Christmas. She wanted snow for Christmas and she got it.

When Kevins sister, Janice Jones, learned that she wanted snow for Christmas, she remembered hearing about companies that can actually make snow. Snow My Yard, owned by Greater Raleigh Refrigeration, drove an ice truck to the Pearsons and once there, started opening the bags of ice and sliding it into a snow blowing machine that turns ordinary ice into snow. By nightfall, the front yard was still covered in snow and Saturdays weather cooperated as temperatures dropped into the 50s from their recently unseasonably high levels.

Laurie may have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Kevin was dreaming of making Christmas special, if not extraordinary.

Hes the best husband anyone could ever ask for, Laurie said. Hes awesome. Hes my saving grace. Hes not missed one doctor appointment or one treatment. This is one of his many good deeds, of course, but this is out of the ordinary.

rochelle@wilsontimes.com | 265-7818

I don't know what to say...Dave...my heart is so full. Thank you for sharing....

A sad update from the Wilson, NC newspaper:

Monday, January 28, 2013 10:32 PM

Woman loses cancer battle a month after White Christmas gift
'She inspired a lot of people'

By Rochelle Moore | Wilson Times Staff Writer

Laurie Pearsons fight against cancer and her love for snow touched the lives of more people than she will ever meet.

Pearson battled Stage IV cancer but just before Christmas her husband, Kevin, gave her a white Christmas on a 50-degree day in Wilson. Kevin wasnt sure if it would be her last Christmas but wanted to do something special after hearing that all she wanted for the holidays was to see snow.

Kevin, family and friends pulled together and hired Snow My Yard, which traveled from Raleigh to Wilson and pumped four tons of snow on her front lawn. She was surprised by the gift and spent the day with family, which gathered to celebrate the holidays. It was one of the few days that she felt well enough to be at home.

At the time, we didnt know it would be her last Christmas, said Janice Jones, Lauries sister-in-law. It gave her time to enjoy all the kids. It just gave her a day to forget (about the cancer).

Laurie Pearsons condition worsened after the holidays and she spent all but two days in the hospital. During that time, her story touched the lives of health care workers, led to the family being added to prayer lists all over Wilson County and other states and inspired many people in the area.

Ive been called snowman and everything else, Kevin said. Laurie was known all over the hospital. She was on prayer lists everywhere. It made me feel good for her.

Their story also caught the attention of media outlets across the nation, including today.com, and the world after being published by the United Kingdoms Daily Mail.

Lauries story had an impact in what became some of the last days of her life. The 45-year-old died Sunday, surrounded by loved ones, after cancer spread through her body to a point she could not sustain.

On Friday, when snowflakes fell in Wilson, Kevin was touched by knowing the snow his wife wished for finally came. He considered it a homecoming of sorts.

When it started snowing, we just felt like it was for her, Kevin said. It was enough.

Kevin said that the outpouring of love and support to his wife meant a lot during a difficult time. She was touched by her caregivers, which led the family to establish a scholarship fund that will provide support to young adults in the medical field. Kevin said that Laurie asked many of her caregivers about their work and learned that some CNAs could not attend nursing school because of the lack of funding. The scholarship fund is a way for Lauries wishes of giving back to be granted.

It was just the way they took care of her, Kevin said. There were so many CNAs who came in to take care of her who made a difference. Its our way of giving back for her.

The Laurie G. Pearson Nursing Scholarship Fund will provide financial support to young adults seeking a nursing degree. The family plans to create an annual fundraiser that will support the scholarship fund. Donations can be made to the Laurie G. Pearson Nursing Scholarship Fund, 4124 Huntsmoor Lane, Wilson, NC, 27896.

Laurie was first diagnosed with cancer in February 2011 and treatment for breast cancer and colorectal cancer sent her into a six-month remission. In August, the cancer returned into other areas of her body, in her brain and bones. In January, the cancer had spread further and entered her liver.

Lauries mother and a cousin also battled cancer, leading doctors to believe her condition was hereditary, Kevin said. She was a fighter and continued to believe in the possibility of recovery. Her encouraging words to others, especially those battling with cancer, served as an inspiration, Jones said.

She was just beautiful, Kevin said. She truly inspired a lot of people. She also inspired her nieces and nephews more than anything. If you met her on the street, you wouldnt know she was sick.

She inspired more people at the age of 45 than most people would, I think.

Dave...I just don't know what to say...my heart is broken for that family. I hope we get a slow song tonight...if so, might we dance in honor of her?

By all means. My preference would be "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."

Platters 1958 version...

I have put in a "Special Request", Dave...maybe or maybe not, possible. But either way...she will be in our hearts....

What a tender touching story. Thanks to all who felt the love and concern. I will make a donation tomorrow to the memorial fund mentioned in your article. Truly Touching.

That is a very kind gesture, Bill.

Dave, thanks for posting this. Laurie was my cousin and such a joy to know.

A special story. R.I.P. Laurie.