Christa was a graduate of Wildwood High School. In her adult years she went back to school and graduated from ACC with an Associates Degree. Christa was a free spirited, life loving woman. She loved to take care of others and she was the queen of displaying random acts of kindness to her family, friends and even complete strangers. Christa spent her most recent years caring for her late husband Charles Twonley and her mother and father. Christa’s passion was gardening of which she could grow a bed of roses out of a sandbox. Her motto was "Sticks and Dirt" because that’s all she needed to make something grow. When she wasn’t gardening or caring for her loved ones could find her creating beautiful paintings that she shared with neighbors and everyone she knew. Those who were fortunate enough to cross Christa's path were very lucky to have met such an amazing woman that would give her heart and her time for the benefit of others well being and happiness. Christa will be sorely missed but her spirit will live within those she touched. She could always put a smile on your face and make you laugh. Christa always the animal lover also loved to cook, shop, take painting class, sitting in the sun and she loved the beach. Christa is survived by her two sons Erik Collins his new wife Jessica, Earle S. Collins IV his wife Kristi, her father Bert Eisl, her sister Rosa Montis her husband George and her loving Aunt Toni Stahl. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Christa on Saturday May 3 from 1:30 – 3:00pm at: First United Methodist Church 1 Church Street, Cape May Court House, NJ Corner of Church St and RT 9 
Twonley, Christa Eisl, 57 – passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008 at her home at her home in North Cape May. Born in Traunstein, Germany Christa migrated to the United States at 5 years old with her father Bert Eisl and her late mother Edith Eisl.
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Monday, April 28, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Christa, we can't believe you are gone
Too young, too soon, too much life and energy to image that she won't be here with us anymore. My husband lost his mom on Friday and I lost not only my Mother-in-law but my friend.
The last time I spent time with Christa was at Erik & Jessica's wedding on April 5th. She was so overjoyed to see her second son get married. I looked at her face at the ceremony and at the reception, she was beaming.
Christa was definitely 'one of a kind' and everyone that knows her would agree. She had such an amazing spirit that you couldn't help being drawn in when she was in your presence.
It's just so shocking. So unreal right now, for everyone who loved her to imagine not hearing her wonderfully crazy loud laugh anymore.
Earle has written a very touching obituary for his mom. I will post it here soon with all the information about the service we will have in her honor.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Faced my mortality, Still an Atheist
Being diagnosed with cancer at thirty-one years old was a crazy experience. I call it crazy because so many things happen to you. Along with the physical: surgery, chemo, radiation, hairloss. There are so many mental challenges to overcome. In my case, I handled the physical much better than the mental.
I understand the five stages of grief now. (denial, anger, bargaining, depression,& acceptance). I guess I just thought this was something written in a book that really didn't apply to real life. How can everyone go through the same stages? Everyone is different right?
Also, no one died for me to be grieving so why would those steps apply to me? But someone did die the day I was told I had cancer. That person was the 'old me'. I am now a 'new or different me'.
I was grieving. I just didn't know it at the time.
Denial: I think this stage didn't last very long. I was only in a bit of denial the night before I got the news. This can't be happening. nah. I'm only 31! But I am a realistic person so I had a hard time denying with the evidence, even though no actual proof was given to me yet.
Anger: Anger too was there but not so strong that I was asking Why Me? I know that cancer can happen to anyone at any age. I was more like "I just want to be a normal girl"!! This fucking sucks balls!!
Bargaining: There was not much bargaining, so I guess I can say I almost skipped this step. I felt completely alone. Who was I to bargain with? I didn't all of a sudden start to pray and believe in a higher power. I might have said to myself. Ok, self, if you get through this you will stop smoking, drinking and treat your body better. So, maybe I did bargain with myself a bit.
Depression: Well, I didn't have a problem with this stage. It lasted a long time. I was 'crawl up in the bed and lay in a fetal position' depressed for a good while. I woke up every morning with a pit in my stomach and I really did wonder If I would ever be happy again. The fear of recurrence of the cancer had such a hold on me.
Acceptance: This is a nice place to be. I finally got there, never knowing I could or would. I have accepted the fact that the cancer can return but I don't wake up with a pit in my stomach anymore. I know that I will die someday, maybe sooner than later. I will enjoy my life and not spend it worrying. I don't know how I got to this place in my mind. Its wonderful.
Everyone has heard the saying "There are no atheists in foxholes".
yes, indeed there are.
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