When you loose someone close to you, it really puts your life into perspective. When a life is lost due to a disease that cripples even the strongest of spirits, it puts your life into perspective. It makes you want to cry and hug everyone who means anything to you...because you can. Loss makes you remember that life is too short to argue over who didn't empty the dishwasher or put the clothes away or who spilled the drink on the floor. Loss makes you realize what is important in life...your relationship with God and others.
I am humbled and have been blessed to know this family. Their faith & strenth through her illness have been inspiring. They never blamed God for the cancer. They never shut him out. They clung to him and his love.
I knew her for several years, but didn't really get to know her until the Financial Peace University class last year. She was the coupon queen and was set on saving her family money and getting out of debt with her husband. INSPIRING! She came to class each week with her little notebook so she could get as much out of the class as she could. After her seizure and diagnosis of brain cancer, her husband would come to church and tell us of how they had gotten some financial stuff straightened out and he was so excited because they were still putting God's instructions about finances into practice. Again...inspiring!
After she began treatments, she came to a couple of our ladies night out gatherings at a local coffee shop. Her smile was contagious. She would tell stories of the kids and it was really nice to get to know her through that time too. She gave so many of us strength and her faith in the Lord was encouraging and inspiring.
When we got the news that they had brought hospice in to care for her, my friend and I took food to the family. We played with the kids and prayed with her, her sister and her husband. She was sleeping and looked so peaceful. I didn't know that would be the last time I would see her.
I didn't experience her treatments, or effects of her treatments. I didn't go through what her family has gone through this past year, and yet, it was like we were part of it, praying, hugging, talking...loving. Feeling for them. She will be missed here on earth, but it does give me some comfort knowing that she is dancing with Jesus and has probably already moved into her mansion. Her crown is full of jewels and she is beautiful in the glow of Heaven's light. She is not suffering anymore and NO MORE HEADACHES!!
Please pray that we can all be what the family needs in the coming days and years. God has a plan for each of us. We don't know what it looks like, but I have faith that God will be glorified in every detail. A friend once pointed out that God is in the details. I'm looking forward to what he has in store for me and I am determined to make him proud.
