College life seems as though it was a lifetime ago and yesterday all at the same time. I attended a small liberal arts college in a little town in southern Indiana. The school was founded by the General Association of General Baptists and at its core is a Christian college.
I made several friends while attending and even though we don't see each other very often, there is something about the bond built sitting up into the wee hours of the night talking about anything and everything under the sun. Boy, if those walls could speak, they'd have some secrets to tell. I don't think any of us had any dark secrets. We talked about classes and boys. We talked about hopes and dreams. However, I don't remember having a conversation about which one of us would pass away first. We were focused on living.
One sweet friend, Angie, was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago. Today she went to be with Jesus and she is worshipping at the feet of her Lord and Savior. She married the man of her dreams and they have two beautiful daughters. During those late night talks, Angie often talked of her love for Mike. He was the reason she came to the school we attended. She attended a different school her freshman year and transferred her sophomore year to be with Mike. They were married the following summer. Many of us traveled back to their home in Michigan to attend the wedding.
There are two words that come to mind when I think of Angie. First is "joy." No matter the circumstances she had a joy about her. There was a certain sparkle in her eye when I first met her and that sparkle never left. As she battled the cancer, and she did fight, she often posted pictures. There were pictures of her with her girls and other family and her face just showed she was happy to be with those she loved. But she also posted pictures during some of her treatments and she still had that expression of joy, love and happiness on her face.
The second word that comes to mind is "strength." She was not going to give in to this disease without a fight. She went through the original diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. During the course of treatment she was a teacher and principal. She fought low platelet counts all summer that prevented chemo and then came the results that the cancer had spread once again. When school started this fall she had stepped down as principal because the treatments had taken their toll, but she was not about to quit. She took a job as a reading teacher. Her sister, who is also a teacher, posted a picture of the two of them on their first day of school. She kept on keeping on until her body just would not cooperate. She dug deep and found a strength I don't think the rest of us even think we possess.
I met her oldest daughter when she was about one year old. I never met her youngest daughter, but watched them grow up through Christmas cards and then Facebook. I'm sad because they had to say goodbye to this remarkable woman too soon. But I'm sure they know better than anyone the legacy she leaves behind. They will mourn, but I'm quite certain they know the source of their mother's joy, Jesus Christ and his love flowing through her. It is my prayer that His love and peace will carry them through. Joy cometh, dear girls.
One sweet friend, Angie, was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago. Today she went to be with Jesus and she is worshipping at the feet of her Lord and Savior. She married the man of her dreams and they have two beautiful daughters. During those late night talks, Angie often talked of her love for Mike. He was the reason she came to the school we attended. She attended a different school her freshman year and transferred her sophomore year to be with Mike. They were married the following summer. Many of us traveled back to their home in Michigan to attend the wedding.
There are two words that come to mind when I think of Angie. First is "joy." No matter the circumstances she had a joy about her. There was a certain sparkle in her eye when I first met her and that sparkle never left. As she battled the cancer, and she did fight, she often posted pictures. There were pictures of her with her girls and other family and her face just showed she was happy to be with those she loved. But she also posted pictures during some of her treatments and she still had that expression of joy, love and happiness on her face.
The second word that comes to mind is "strength." She was not going to give in to this disease without a fight. She went through the original diagnosis, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. During the course of treatment she was a teacher and principal. She fought low platelet counts all summer that prevented chemo and then came the results that the cancer had spread once again. When school started this fall she had stepped down as principal because the treatments had taken their toll, but she was not about to quit. She took a job as a reading teacher. Her sister, who is also a teacher, posted a picture of the two of them on their first day of school. She kept on keeping on until her body just would not cooperate. She dug deep and found a strength I don't think the rest of us even think we possess.
I met her oldest daughter when she was about one year old. I never met her youngest daughter, but watched them grow up through Christmas cards and then Facebook. I'm sad because they had to say goodbye to this remarkable woman too soon. But I'm sure they know better than anyone the legacy she leaves behind. They will mourn, but I'm quite certain they know the source of their mother's joy, Jesus Christ and his love flowing through her. It is my prayer that His love and peace will carry them through. Joy cometh, dear girls.
2 comments:
Great post Jody...:-)
Oh, Jody. I am sorry to hear this. I was honestly hoping this would be one of those miraculous healing situations that is unexplainable in human terms. I will pray for her family and friends, who bear the heaviness of the loss of such an amazing woman. I love you, my friend.
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