Grace's first day of school, fall of 1997.
Note the shoes....red was her favorite color.

Grace's last formal photograph. October 27, 1997.
Within days of this photograph, Grace began to stumble and have balance difficulties, signaling the beginning of the end.

The entire Ossing clan, as of 1997, with Mama.

Grace at preschool with Ms. Stacy on her fourth birthday.
This would be her last day of school. She had begun to have trouble walking, and didn't want to go back.

Grace at the Optometrist

Her fourth birthday again.
She told me at 8 o'clock that morning that this was "the best birthday I ever had."

Grace, the television star, and very proud big sister.
Her last surgery was done by Dr. Ben Carson, and filmed for a documentary by The Learning Channel.
We had tried to film Grace holding her brother all morning, and it wasn't until the crew had taken down the lights, Mom had put baby John in the front carrier, and all were walking out the door for school, that Grace said, "Ok, now I'll hold John." That was typical Gracie, all in her own time and her own way.