(WBIR) Karsyn Thornton was always known as a little girl with a light to share. Now, her family is honoring her memory by paying it forward this holiday season.
Christine Romano met Karsyn when the young girl was just two years old, on a trip to the Smoky Mountains with her parents, James and Cassie. Romano, a Sevierville-based photographer, shot portraits for the family.
“Just a sweet, beautiful, blonde little girl with the biggest blue eyes you’ve ever seen,” Romano recalled. “A light of a personality.”
That was in 2010. A few months after that photo shoot, Karsyn was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
“She fought it bravely,” said Romano. “I watched it all take place on social media. She beat it.”
But in April 2015, Karsyn passed away after complications related to the cancer. She would have turned 7 this year, Romano said.
But a few weeks ago, Romano thought of Karsyn again, as she picked a family from her church’s Hope Tree, which helps families that can’t buy their own Christmas gifts. It was for a six-year-old girl who loved the Disney movie Frozen – just like Karsyn had.
Romano sent a note to Karsyn’s mom about the coincidence.
“I just said I’ll be thinking of Karsyn as I buy these toys,” she said.
Then, the box arrived in the mail – full of Karsyn’s Frozen toys, given to her last Christmas. All of them were unopened – she’d been too sick to play with them.
“I just kind of cried, and posted them on Facebook,” said Romano. “I retold the story of Karsyn, and her mom and dad and how great they’ve been.”
Because she wouldn’t have to pay for those toys, Romano was able to support another family. Then, donations from friends allowed her to take two more. She’s happy to be able to help – as a single mom, she’s been on the receiving end of the charity before, when money was tight.
“That’s what’s happening with Karsyn’s story,” said Romano. “She’s shining, and although that little six-year-old girl will have no idea who these toys belonged to, I think Karsyn will be looking down, and smiling, just saying, ‘Have fun.’”
It’s proof, Christine said, that someone was looking out for Karsyn.
“I think that God wants her story to be shared and told,” said Romano. “He wants people to know that good can come from bad.”
And through her old toys, Karsyn gets to look out for someone else, too.
