Our Diva's Farewell to New Jersey

Deirdre and her friends, Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

Our diva is saying goodbye. She has special followers, and she decided that before she closed the curtain of her show she would do two special appearances... The first one was in Bayonne. She enjoyed the rich homey ambience of the coast city... it may have made her recall her true home. She took a small retreat away from her family from Monday morning to Thursday early afternoon... We have never been apart at all... not like this... not so definitive... I hated it. I hate being away from my girl, my diva... my baby... But she has a very strong will, and with her it is always her way or the highway...

OCTOBER 25, 2012

I was very nervous before seeing her. I did not know what to expect... Was she moody? Was she upset? Was she mad? Was she ok? I had been worrying and feeling lost in those thoughts. I don't understand why she wanted to quit the show... just when it was getting to its epic climax... just when the world and science moved towards even more cause for hope for all the causes that she fought for... I was scared of what I would find. But I should have known better. My diva always surprises me with her unique candor and sassyness. As I went in to meet her at the retreat house, she ran towards me with open arms. She did not speak... she did not have to. Her eyes have always spoken so clearly to me... and they told me that yes... this would be a two part show... it would be that last one... She wanted to move on to other projects... My girl and her projects...

After "divafying" hair,  Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

She looked lovely in her Mulan dress. It was Thursday, and I had promised her to go to a Trunk & Treat that we were invited to... well, mainly that she was invited to. Originally she wanted to dress like Pocahontas, of course... but I managed to persuade her to have a bit more of variety in her life... so she decided that then she would be Mulan. My girl and her preferred characters... She always makes Mommy proud, choosing relevant role-models. With her it was all either Wonder Pets, or Pocahontas and Mulan.

I wanted to surprise her with a special Mulan dress that I got her, all sparkly and divalicious, with matching tiara and sandals. She got my special gift, and took great oy in showing it off. It was nice to see how the dress served her well. I know she was a bit uneasy as her hair and nails did not match her outfit, so I told her that I had not forgotten about the details... I had brought nail polish, pieces of her favorite bright pink hair strands, and I let her know I would venture with something new: a nail polish pen. She looked at me funny, but I reassured her that she need not worry... there was plenty of time to make her fabulous as usual.

After "divafying" nails, Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

Her old nail art was soon gone, and I asked Daddy to get me some olive oil for her hair as it looked a bit dull. I don't know who... or why but someone had cut two inches of her hair... I was quite upset, all this time I had cut her hair and although I am not a hairdresser it did not look bad. Whoever cut her hair... shame on you! Things always happen when the diva sleeps... especially when she stays in that hotel... Well, no more stays there, my angel... Nevermore. Anyway... I straightened her hair and tried my best to untangle it. Daddy arrived with the olive oil, and what a difference that made! I added the pink strands and her Mulan headpiece... Not much is needed for her to rock any look. Deedee should have been a model... but no... she wanted to be an animation artist. Oh, well...

After doing her hair I went on to do her nails. She helped me out holding the nail polish bottle as usual. She had a small towel under her hands so she would not taint her dress. Two coats of shiny metallic blue and then the hot pink tryout. Wow! If I had known that pens really worked this well I would have invested on all the colored pens months ago! It definitively gets the job done, same look as if done by brush, less hassle. Perfect. The diva smiled. Yes, she was definitively happy with her me time.

Deedee the Diva, ready for her last tour. Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

She decided to take a nap, so I went on to try changing her room. I dislike so much cream around her... Her room has always been bright and full of color... She had loved her Pocahontas birthday mural, so I decided to bring it to this different place so she would keep on sleeping without problems, feeling at home. She liked sunflowers, especially since she did the seed project with Mr. Farina, showing her the parts of a sunflower... and also because Pocahontas loved to run through sunflower fields. So... I went with placing some sunflowers around her... I know she missed her friends, so they gathered at her feet. She knew Linny, Tuck and Ming Ming too would not miss this. Neither would Mu-shu, Abuela Rosa, Ariel, Pocahontas, Mr. Lion, and of course Meeko (who immediately went on to jump in her lap...). The diva knew that soon she would be in the spotlight, the center of attention... as usual. She smirked but kept on feigning being sleep. Every once in a while she would try peeking and looking at whoever was not paying attention... Oh, she saw everything, and loved every second of it.

The event began with cameras rolling. The crew from Help Me Howard came in to make a special interview about the diva. They wanted to know what her life has been like for the past year... and what was her message to the world. After we spoke for our girl (following what she had told us to say in her behalf), that segment of the evening was closed.

Deedee and her family, Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

Next came the visits and hellos from so many groupies! Our girl kept sleeping, as she just wanted them to look at her... and beyond her... One by one, friends from early years came in and spoke sweet words to her. She did not feel any need to say anything... the heart speaks in a language that cannot be described in human terms. One by one each friend gave a gift from their hearts... Each time that a whisper filled her ears she smirked with glee. She knew that she had dne a good job at stealing a big chunk of their hearts... forever. Old friends, new friends... Everyone went to her... What normal casual life could not do, a single angel did in just one evening: A gathering filled with music,truth, faith and love.

Peronette (the gentle giant), Mashaelia (the longest nurse to be with her), Marie (her latest nurse and friend), Roz (Saturday therapist, helper, friend), Aydil & family, the Early Intervention crew, the Newark Museum crew, the Rocking Horse crew, the Joseph Lillo Foundation crew, her teacher and best friend Mr. Farina (who kneeled like a shinning knight and presented her with a precious ring), her therapists Margot (fairy therapist, mind you), Gail (we know she was there in spirit), Adam, Marda... The room was filled with the people who really cared and love her... and to witness this was simply breathtaking.We felt the happiness that our diva was feeling just then, right there. Everyone who made a difference in her life felt that too. The evening was a lovely tribute to a young warrioress who fought odds and expiration dates, who fought the system and an illness for which right now there is no cure.The diva smiled as she pretended to sleep among her toys, among her favorites... and among real friends.

Deedee's farewell to NJ, Oct 25, 2012 Bayonne, NJ

For three hours she performed at her best skills. She always loved such attention. She always loved being on stage, getting admiration and standing ovations. And after those three hours she closed her curtain to all her New Jersey fans... It all took place at the peak of her biggest performance. She said a silent farewell that ringed on everyone's hearts, marking all her "groupies" forever. They witnessed pure love and passion for life, they witnessed defiance and sassy innocence. They witnessed a "can do anything" attitude that transcended a frail body, a little girl that bewitched with her gaze and amazed with all she was able to do.

The diva left. She took wings, and her next last stop is her homeland. She looked back only to throw a kiss to all whom hold her dear in their hearts. Her special kiss, a kiss of magic, embedded itself on each of her followers hearts... Knowing her was changing forever. She made sure of that, in her last big spell... so all she taught will not be forgotten. So all she became and touched and made better will not be forgotten. So other kids, with similar challenges, can get the right answers from the right people... the people she touched with her magical self. Be very careful, groupies... the diva watches you from her new home and she knows all you do. Make her proud!

OCTOBER 26, 2012

Deedee's Room, Oct 26, 2012 Newark, NJ

This is our diva's empty room... empty as her body is no longer with us. We see the big reminisce of who she always was: A bright star that loved razzle-dazzle, cheerfully facing any challenge, always surrounded by inspiration, joy, family, love, and God... The last tour is not done. Next stop... Puerto Rico.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED DAUGHTER

Deirdre Valeria Medina-Rivera

"Deedee The Diva"
Aug 17, 2007- Oct 22, 2012
Forever 5 years old

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." -Psalm 23