Left: Athlete Chuck Beard found inspiration from Selena to complete his Ironman competition. Right: Selena always brought a smile to everyone she met.
Selena's Legacy
Posted July 7, 2011
Crystal Manus with daughter, Selena, who “flittered into her family’s lives as soft and gentle as a butterfly.”
TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEAR-OLD Selena Manus didn’t want to go to bed, but she needed her rest. Like most toddlers, the little girl was a firecracker, always ready to burst into laughter and run around the room. Her mother, Crystal Manus, tried to quiet Selena, and she finally settled her down. But if Selena had to sleep, she wanted to do it on her terms.
“Mommy, I want you to lie with me,” she said from her bed at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, “because I’m going to die.”
Six weeks later, Selena’s prophecy came true. She passed away after her 13-month battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer.
“She knew more than we thought she did,” Crystal says, remembering the day her small daughter spoke so candidly with her. “She knew she was sick and had to stay in the hospital for a long time. But we tried to shield her from how bad it was. We tried to not let her see us cry.”
Selena’s death came right on the heels of her terminal diagnosis. There was little time to prepare for the inevitable. The family was rushed on a Make A Wish trip to Disney World, but even that had to be cut a day short because Selena’s health was quickly failing. Three days after returning home from the trip, Selena passed away.
It seemed all that remained of Selena were memories and medical bills. Would people forget the bright little girl who brought joy to so many?
Then Crystal and her husband Harry got a call from a nurse practitioner at the hospital where Selena was treated. She said a friend of hers was training for an Ironman competition, and he wanted motivation beyond simply crossing the finish line. He needed inspiration to get through the grueling, long-distance triathlon. The athlete, Chuck Beard from Nashville, Tennessee, had never trained for an Ironman competition before and strongly believed that completing the race in memory of a child with cancer would help him and others through to the finish line. After all, he says, “For me, it’s always a lot more fulfilling to do things for others instead of just for yourself.”
Chuck made arrangements with the nurse, who said she had the perfect patient for whom he could run. “But a month before the race (the nurse) told me she had passed away,” he says. “However, they still needed help with medical bills. So, I asked the family if I could run in memory of their daughter.”
Not only did the Manuses give their blessing, they vowed to go to the race and help cheer on Chuck. He didn’t tell them about his fundraising efforts on their behalf. That would be a later surprise.
Crystal and Harry finally met Chuck in person during the triathlon as he transitioned from the bike portion of the race to the marathon-distance run finale.
“He came up to us and gave us a big hug,” Crystal laughs.
A month later, the Manuses received a check in the mail from Chuck, and they were floored. But what touched them even more was the donation Chuck made to Kosair Children’s Hospital. It was not a monetary donation, but a beautiful, handmade cart stocked with arts and crafts supplies. Chuck and the nurse practitioner asked a mutual woodworker friend to build a piece that could hold games, arts and craft materials, and other things to give the terminally ill patients the chance to create special mementos for their families to cherish as keepsakes after the child has passed away.
The cart is called Selena’s Butterfly Cart in memory of the Manuses’ daughter. The butterfly name is very important to these kids’ journey. Many of the children do butterfly art and later describe that it represents the life-changing transformations about which they dream and through which they go.
“We kept the butterfly cart a secret from the Manuses until the very end,” Chuck says,” That was the cherry on top.”
“The cart came as a complete shock to us,” Crystal says. “They didn’t have anything like that when Selena was in the hospital. But now, Selena is going to be a part of making sure every family that has to go through losing a child can make those lasting memories. It’s just wonderful.”
This summer not only marks the two-year anniversary of Selena’s diagnosis, but also the one-year anniversary of her death. “It’s still so fresh,” Crystal says. Even Selena’s two sisters miss her. Three-year-old McKenzie looks up at the ceiling and talks to her at bedtime, and five-year-old Jasmine wrote in her Kindergarten journal that if she could have anything in the world, she would have her sister back. “She was just that special,” Crystal says.
“Selena brought a smile to everyone, and those who met and knew her will never forget her,” says Sandra Foster, Selena’s aunt. Naming the butterfly cart after her niece was the perfect memorial, she adds. “Selena flittered into our lives as soft and gentle as a butterfly in the breeze, but we know butterflies are short-lived. I miss her terribly, and this helps so much. It is our job to keep her memory alive.”
SANDRA FOSTER is an associate with Regions in New Salisbury, Ind.
Selena’s Butterfly Cart is sponsored by Adventures Inside a Campus for a Cure, Inc., a non-profit organization which aims to entertain through art and music and educate about the affects of cancer.
comments (34)
What a sweet and beautiful story! Through Selena's Butterfly Cart she will not be forgotten... and new people will be touched by her. This is how our loved ones live "forever" because we choose to take them with us and share about them with others. Bless Chuck for his efforts and prayers are being said for the Manus family!
LisaLOVED this. Made my day.
Dominique JoseyI loved this story, although it brought me to tears. We lost our precious "Brooks" 2 months ago at UAB, he was 6 months and 16 days old, but brought us a lifetime of love and memories. He touched so many lives in a short time as did this little girl. Both will be loved and missed. Bless you, Chuck, for your contributions to the Manus family and others.
Vicki MannI have always been drawn to this site. It has been inspiring, moving, educational, and so much more. But this story moved me so very deeply.
Ann BernardI'm starting training as a triathlete, and I've decided that Chuck is definitely my new role model. I hope I can reach out and touch lives like he did with the Manuses. Thanks for giving ME a goal, Chuck, and thanks to the Manuses for sharing their daughter with the world.
AugustThe story of Selena is very heartwarming and shows what an impact a person can have on others. Her life was short, but her spirit will live on in the lives of others. A total stranger, Chuck, used her memory for inspiration on his quest and she touched his life without ever knowing her. I pray that the Manuses will hold fast to their memories of Selena and know that they did indeed have their own little butterfly. God bless the Manuses and Chuck.
Judy BatesWe would like to thank all of you for your wonderful comments about Selena's story. The past couple years have been really hard and especially the past year after losing our beautiful little girl. But reading all of your comments on here helps us to know that Selena is still touching lives, even though she is no longer physically here with us. Thanks to Chuck and to people like all of you, she will forever live on in the hearts of people all over the world. And thank you for all the prayers, and yes we do know that we had our very own beautiful butterfly, and that now she can spread her wings and soar!!
The Manus FamilyThis is a beautiful story and I've got enough tears in my eyes to prove it.
Dena KlobeI didn't have the pleasure of meeting Selena, but I know what a precious little girl she was to her family. I am very sorry for their loss but grateful she left behind such good memories and inspirations.
Jessica DawsonTo see the look on Sandra's face when she speaks of Selena makes you understand how special she was and what an impact she has made. I cried when she passed and this story made me cry again. Thanks so much for sharing.
JeannieI work with Selena's aunt, Sandy Foster. Selena indeed was a very special little girl, but so is her aunt. After working all day at our branch, Sandy rarely missed visiting Selena in the evening. I am fortunate that Sandy shared stories of Selena, her bravery as well as her spunkiness. It was a good reminder of what is really important and that each moment is precious.
Denise ReddenSelena is my cousin. She was very special and missed greatly.
PamIt is so uplifting to read stories like this after watching the evening news. There is still plenty of good in this world, as well as good people. I'm certain Selena was a beautiful little girl and I'm so proud of Chuck for being an inspiration to so many others.
T. BryantVery moving article. Selena won't be forgotten. She was such as sweet little girl that touched so many people's lives.
Stephanie FosterThis is truly a touching story . . .
Cheryl PayneWhat an amazing tribute not only to this precious child, but also to a guy who is truly interested in making a difference in people's lives. Chuck, we are so proud of you! Our prayers are with little Selena's family.
BethOne year ago we had to say goodbye to a very precious granddaughter. She was very witty and you couldn't get much by her. She will always be in my heart. I love you, Selena.
wilmaWhat a beautiful story. It shows me how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. Precious!
KimToday is the first anniversary of Selena's passing. I am so thankful to read your comments and know that she has now touched even more lives. She was so funny and you never quite knew what to expect. She definitely kept us on our toes. I am so thankful that God chose our family to send her to. Thank you so much for taking the time to read her story. And thank you, Chuck, for touching my life in a way that I can never repay.
Sandy FosterThis is a very touching story. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Manus family.
Christina ForsterThis story is absolutely beautiful. What an impact Selena's life made on so many!
Jane't SellersThis little angel flew into the lives of people and all too soon was gone. She will be sadly missed.
SusanMade me cry. I just thought about what if I lost my son like this. I couldn't do it. But what Chuck did was very touching.
KendaIt makes my heart sing to know there are such good people in this world. Thank you, Chuck, for giving of yourself to enable the Manus family to smile and know their little Selena lives on by inspiring others to do good. This story renews my faith that in spite of all that is going on in our world, we must all bind together and live for someone other than ourselves. I pray God's protective arms encircle the Manus Family as they continue their journey.
Carol MillsWhat a beautiful reminder of how precious and meaningful life can be. Now I'm crying in the drivethru.
KaitlanWow! What a precious little girl. She will be in heaven with God and his angels forever. It is truly amazing what children know. How sweet that she wanted her mom to lay with her before she died... she knew. Glad she got to take the trip and I am truly impressed with your strength through this loss.
Barbara DolesThis touched my soul. Thanks for sharing.
Tammy SampsonGave me tears and chills. What a beautiful story and courageous little girl!!!
StaciTruly inspirational! I had to read it in segments to maintain composure. The world definitely needs more people like Chuck!
RosaWhat a heartfelt story, and a even more beautiful little girl. How thoughtful of Chuck, who has made a big impact on the life of the Manus family.
StacieThis story was beautiful. It brought me tears in my eyes and chills on my arms. It's so good to know that good still exist in this world. Chuck, you are a wonderful person.
CaitlinDefinitely made me cry. Great story, and touched my soul. Makes me want to find a way to do something extraordinary like that.
NikkiSuch a beautiful story. I admire the strength that beautiful little girl possessed. This reminds you just how special & fleeting the moments are you have with the ones you love. Thank you for sharing. It definitely brought tears to my eyes and the picture of mother and daughter just breathtaking.
JackieGod has truly recieved a perfect angel, Selena story truly touched me and her and her family will forever be in my heart and my prayers!
Jennifer Hughes