Rebecca's 16th: Volleyball, Biomedical and The Book

 

On April 24, 2007, 16 years ago, I was sitting at Vicki’s School of Dance waiting on Katherine and Elizabeth to finish class.  Susan called to tell me her check up turned into a decision to induce labor two weeks early.

Our lives changed forever. If things had gone normal at her birth, today we’d be finding her a used car to drive and she’d be learning how to back into her spot at Airline. I’d be worried about car insurance and boys and all the normal stuff a dad worries about. 

But today we came over to Ft. Worth to spend time with Katherine because she chose today April 25, 2023-what would be  Rebecca’s Sweet16th-  as the date to launch her book about Rebecca’s life and death. A powerful book that explains grief, trust, hope, healing and love.  “Wholehearted Trust” by Katherine Gatti is a must have for your library or small group.  

A lot of change since the last post. God has moved in some very big ways since that night 16 years ago. I’m glad our friend Kristin Mosura started this blog in 2007 to keep folks informed. It’s been a foundation we go back to to remind us of God’s provision. 

It’s amazing to see how Rebecca’s life continues to positively impact the trajectory of our lives. 

Charlotte is 13 years old and plays travel volleyball. We spend many weekends out of town at tournaments. She has a great team and coach. They are really starting to come together as a team. 

She continues to make straight A’s and has some really great friends. This year she started a school organization called Community at Cope Middle School. Her goal is to have a buddy system for each student with special needs with the goal of being more inclusive. She has a big heart for persons with special needs. Every time I go to the school to visit her for an event many of the students gravitate towards her and her infectious smile. She takes care of our cats, dogs, and chickens.

She enjoys being the only child in the house! I know growing up with a special needs big sister cultivated a deep love of special needs and marginalized people in her heart.  She is an old soul and loves to share the Gospel.  She and her friends have grown First Priority at their school from a handful of kids to over 80!  

Charlotte is growing as a artist and gave me a painting of the chicken coup we built together. Charlotte also reminds us that we are “The oldest parents at Cope…” 

Elizabeth is finishing up her second year at Vanderbilt in Nashville. She is majoring in biomedical engineering and loves it. She decided a few months ago to work towards a double major in electrical engineering. I told her to make sure she makes the most of the amazing professors while she is there, so now she’s shooting for the following: majors:

biomedical engineering , electrical & computer engineering minors: engineering management and computer science.

Elizabeth has an amazing mind and loves working at the labs near campus to collaborate with others to help people with brain and seizure disorders. She is busy with Chi-O and enjoying living in Nashville!

She completed an internship last summer at Florida State and presented a board in San Antonio this year at the Biomedical Engineers Society gathering. 

I stayed with her during finals one semester and was amazed at her “work” ethic and her “play” ethic! She is a humble world changer and lights up any room she goes in.  

Beth 2007

The other night Charlotte called Beth about an algebra issue. Beth called back and I would hear the loud music in the background.  Beth said “I’m at a party let me step out.” Charlotte asked “Do you remember how to plot regressions?” Beth replied “ yes (explanation I did not understand)” Charlotte said “ ok that’s what I thought, thanks have fun.” They don’t talk daily, but they are always there for each other in times of need. 

Beth always loved Rebecca and her sense of humor and deep love impacts us.  I know God cultivated a yearning to help brain injured children in Beth then she was young.  All the trips to Children’s Hospital and Shriners for Rebecca had an impact on Beth, a positive impact.  She’s outspoken that her motivation to excel in her major is to one day make life easier and find cures for injured children.  Her compassion and motivation is unmatched.  

Katherine amazed us all this year by completing her book “Wholehearted Trust.” It’s launching today on Amazon and those who have read an advance copy are amazed. She is an excellent writer. The book is very transparent and walks the reader through trusting God and resting in hope during trying times. 

She has been asked to speak at several women's meetings to share about the book and walking with faith through extreme grief. Katherine Gatti's Website

Click here to order her book:  

Amazon Link Wholehearted Trust by Katherine Gatti

The cover of the book is patterned after Rebecca’s headstone art work that the girls created. 

She also started a publishing company to make sure there’s a place for Christian books, and to help tell the stories of God’s hope, grace and healing. Everyone who holds the book comments on the high quality of the work.  She has been a writer her entire life and wrote an essay when she was very young about Rebecca that won the State Young Author’s Contest.  

On April 15 we hosted a launch party at The Stable. I was amazed at how many of Katherine’s friends from Fort Worth traveled to Louisiana. They are from all over the country and they descended upon Louisiana to celebrate with Katherine. It was a great night. Katherine’s friend and roommate Sid wrote a song about Rebecca. It was so powerful. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Sonja, Katherine, Charlotte, Victoria, Jana, Lauren and Cassie had a panel discussion about the book and it was very moving.

Katherine graduated TCU in May 2022 Graduating from the Honors College, as a Neely’s Fellow, Major in Marketing, Minors in Psychology and Writing magna cum laude. 

5 years ago she made a big decision to attend TCU and move to Ft. Worth. She didn’t know one person. She’s made great lifelong friends, who are now like family. She has a great pastor Ben Fuqua  a great church family at Common Grounds /Christ Chapel- Ft. Worth, TX. Her professors, mentors and employers have been first class. 

After graduation, he spent a week near Branson and a treehouse Airbnb writing her book. She said it best the other night “I simply took what God did and copied it into this book. “

Katherine has an excellent job in Fort Worth and recently received a promotion. She loves her team and the talent that’s gather to work together at the marketing firm. 

Susan continues work as the Mental Health Consultant at Head Start centers and truly enjoys loving these children. She counsels those who have suffered death and loss. She is an amazing psychologist and loves the Lord and the people he places in front of her.  

We teach the seniors at our church together and Susan has been asked to speak a few times about Rebecca's Message. 

We enjoy hosting Men of Courage, Women of Courage and Students of Courage at The Stable.  What a great turn out for Fam Church in July!  Hope you can come this July.  

At the annual Good Friday Crawfish boil we raised quite a bit of money for Cumberland Farms!  A great day for all 

All of our lives have been impacted,  I have  been handling severe burn cases, severe brain injury cases and wrongful death cases at the office. Very emotional and tragic situations.  I know Rebecca’s life and death has made me a better advocate for the families I represent. Recently I taught a course to about 150 lawyers - basically a seminar of viewing the case from the family’s perspective. I was able to tell Rebecca’s story and how that experience, although terrible, allowed me to advocate for my clients more effectively.  I was overwhelmed by the responses of the attendees.  Rebecca’s life impacted me deeply and our family made an intentional decision 16 years ago to chase God and get better and not bitter.  

Rebecca continues to influence our paths and make us much better at our calling. Sometimes the things you try to shield your family from end up making them better at performing God’s will for their lives. 

Thank you again for reviewing the blog and please keep out family in your prayers.  Grief is very real and there is no endpoint of this earth.  Your prayers and support over the years has been the ointment our family needed to make it through.  Your prayers and support have helped us focus on Christ and not the storm.  We are honored and blessed to call you friend.