Blog Series

My First Memory – #21

Today, August 8, 2018, was the worst day of my life. It was early in the morning and my husband was called to his sister’s house. I got up and got ready for work.  I was eating what little breakfast I was able to eat before taking my chemo pills.  My husband called to let me know his sister had passed.  She was more than my sister-in-law, the mother of my two godchildren, my friend for 50 plus years, she was my first memory.  I was expecting the message would come soon, it was not a surprise. I talked to Rick and he told me I needed to get my radiation treatment, there was nothing I could do.  When I stepped outside, I got sick to my stomach.  I wasn’t sick from the chemo pills but from the news. My friend fought the battle of cancer off and on for over 14 years.  A couple of months before her passing I asked her, “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” She said, “Yes”.  I asked her, “Do you believe Jesus died for your sins?” She said, “Yes”.  I laid on her and prayed over her.  A few weeks before her passing I wrote her a card: “I don’t think I have ever told anyone that you were my first memory.  It wasn’t something I kept a secret, I just never told anyone. I don’t remember if it was kindergartener or first grade, but when I stepped into the classroom you eagerly motioned to me to come to sit by you. I always thought we must have played together previous to that day, but I don’t remember. I just remember all the days that followed.  I have loved you unconditionally all my days.  You have and will always be on my mind because you always have.   Love Jan, your younger friend.”  I dedicated my book, “Peace in the midst of it all” to my friend. 2 Corinthians 5:8, We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 

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