The Gentle Healer came into our town today, and He took home with Him one of his favorites, healed and whole. Mom's amazing journey on this earth is over, and a most amazing one has begun.
We are still trying to process all that has happened in the past 36 hours. Mom had a great few days since returning from Louisville . . . spending time with friends, buying new plants for our garden, planning parties for foster children, etc. She noticed some GI bleeding late Thursday night and began running fever yesterday morning. After a trip to West Clinic, it was decided she would be admitted to the hospital just to be safe. She was admitted around 4pm, feeling pretty well. She was eating dinner with her friend Cindi a little after 7pm when she began to feel nauseous. What happened next is a whirlwind; she began vomiting blood and was rushed to the ICU, where they were never able to completely stabilize her. Something was causing massive arterial bleeding in her stomach. She left this earth around 3:30 this morning. She was surrounded by her friends and family and was not in any pain. We sang her out with two of her favorite songs, When We All Get to Heaven and There's a Stirring. It was holy ground.
We are heartbroken and not sure of much right now, but we hold tight to what we know is true: Jesus lives. He lives and He wins! His precious daughter Tricia is safe in His arms tonight, singing, laughing, and worshiping with her sweet daddy and other friends she hasn't seen in years. We will see her again.
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those love him."
1 Corinthians 2:9
2 comments:
Dear sweet Callie, Just as I know you all are struggling to process, I have as well and much comes to my mind as I think of the amazing mom you had and the example and inspiration she was all these years. I really believe her and your dads "life example" is so much the reason we have our two girls now. I had not experienced "foster care or adoption" up close and personal until your parents lived it before me as a young student and young married....Your mom's legacy lives on in so many ways they cannot possibly be counted. I am for one forever blessed and grateful for the life she lived as an example before me in so many many ways.
This weekend in trying to process this whole thing I also wanted to share with you from a mother's heart the only "thought" I can come to as to "why?" "why now?".... God's amazing mercy and compassion...I know no thoughts, reasons, speculations help to lesson that raw pain...but I do know you know and have already in numerous ways through this whole process experienced first hand His compassion and the very specific personal care He gives to His beloved ones. As a mother I am sure your mom prayed she would not get so bad or the really "ugly" end would be seen or drug out for a lengthy period before her children, knowing the depth of love she embodied in her life, I feel certain it would have been her heart to spare you all of that, even though you had seen bad. I also feel that the relationship she had with her Jesus, another prayer was to also have sweet sweet times prior too, I cannot get out of my mind what a very precious fun weekend you two had just prior....the pain is deep now, but my daily prayer for you and your family is that soon in time you will feel the flood of His specific merciful, compassionate love that surpasses all understanding. Your mother loved you and your brothers and sisters so deeply and as a mother every part wants to protect. God heard her prayer from the depths of her heart and His mercy came down. We are all forever changed by her life and I am inspired and encouraged, in my own life and walk I am taking with my mom, by you and the beautiful way you have have walked through this. Know my prayers are daily with you, your family, and close family friends as you go through this very difficult time. Love you much Cynthia
Callie, though you hurt, you still give God the glory. What a testament to how you were raised and how much you love the Lord! This weekend has been so hard for me - I can't BEGIN to imagine how much you and your family are hurting!
I want to thank you for something, Callie. Thank you for sharing such priceless moments of fear, victories, pain,and celebrations with others during this long journey. So many private triumphs and disappointments could have been left within the family, but you shared so many details with us. You allowed us to share in the beautiful story of faith and hope. You inspired and strengthened so many of us who would otherwise be unknowing. Thank you. I am a better person because of your mother and because of the story you so eloquently shared with us.
I pray that my daughters will love and care for me when I'm sick just as you have for your sweet mother. You, along with your family, are in my constant prayers. I will see you soon.
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