A Year Ago Today

an amazing woman left this earth to be with Jesus, her 29 year battle with cancer finally finished.

A mutual friend introduced the following song to us as a dedication to Sheryl just a few days before her death. I still cry every time I hear it; but I am so grateful for the truth and hope of which this song also reminds us.

As the one year anniversary of Sheryl's death has approached, I have been thinking of her more and more. So many little things make me think of her each day. And every month when I celebrate one more month of my son, I miss one more month of my friend. I wish that she were here to celebrate each month with us. I wish that I could just call her and hear her sweet voice again. I wish that Mark didn't have to face another day without her...every single day. I wish that she and Mark had been able to grow old together. I wish that they could have watched "The Notebook" without being jealous of knowing that they would not have the opportunity to grow old together.

Sheryl was an amazing person. She was great at rejoicing with her friends. She was amazingly courageous. She had a great attitude. She had an incredible way of looking at things. She was always thinking about other people and taking care of them. She loved babies and children and longed for her own. But she was not bitter and was rarely discouraged. Instead she kept celebrating life and living it to the fullest. She always kept up her hope.

A couple nights ago, I was flipping through a couple of catalogs and found the following...one on a picture and one on a bracelet, each in two different catalogs. I saw several other things that spoke directly to me about Sheryl, but these were the best,so I decided to share them with you.

"Broken Chain"
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our friendship chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

"What Cancer Cannot Do...It cannot invade the soul, suppress memories, kill friendship, destroy peace, conquer the spirit, shatter hope, cripple love, corrode faith, steal eternal life, silence courage."

I miss you, Sheryl. Mark, you remain in my thoughts and prayers.