Thanks Tasha for these pics!

KARINE (1977~1993)

Karine is one of the 35 nieces and nephews of Celine Dion. Karine is Celine's favourite niece and she is also the most unfortunate one. Karine, a daughter of Celine's sister Liette, was born in 1977 with cystic fibrosis, which attacks the respiratory and digestive systems. Celine says that she did what she could to make Karine happy for many years. Like taking her to local malls with oxygen tank and some other medical equipments for getting everything Karine wants. However by 1993, Karine, then 16, was confined to bed at home, in critical condition, barely able to breathe or swallow. One day, "I had her in my arms," says Dion, "and I started to sing softly in her ear, and out of nowhere her eyes closed. I looked at my mom, who was massaging her feet because her circulation didn't work, and nodded, 'okay, it's happening.' One tear came down Karine's cheek, and then she went." Karine's death continues to remind her aunt-who became a celebrity patron for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1993-to try, as she says, "to hold on to true values."

A song dedicated to Karine

FLY
Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this memory bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shead a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light

             
              "Dear Karine
                 I'm still fighting for you...and
                 I will always will.  I miss you.
                                               Celine"  
                                               


Celine Main
Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation