Forever Free

When we decided to start our foundation, Giving Hope Through Faith, I knew it would keep us firmly planted in the cancer world.  It is a world no one wants to be in, but once you have entered the door, there is really no turning back.  Your mind knows the numbing reality this world holds no matter how far you distance yourself.  I did not want to distance myself because I knew there was much needed work to be done.  We needed to help shine a light of hope in some very dark places…so we dove in and began to learn about others facing the trials of cancer through all the wonderful families referred to the foundation. 

The blessings that have come from this outreach have been priceless.  I cannot tell you how wonderful it feels to walk in the post office with a bulging bag of foundation packages each month knowing in a day or two, each package will reach the hands of a family looking for some much needed smiles and relief from the drudgery that comes with the unending treatment schedules they face.  Today, though, is one of those very hard days.  Because we decided to remain connected to the cancer world, we also continue to see the devastation that comes when all options have been exhausted.  Too many of our families have had to say goodbye to a loved one way too soon.  Today I learned two of our families are standing in this unimaginable place.  Two sweet children, were freed of their tired broken physical bodies.  One family said goodbye to a sweet daughter, Lily, who had been battling a brain tumor.  She left behind a half sister who is in a battle with her own brain tumor, two brothers, parents and many loved ones.  The other family said goodbye to a very brave boy, Jimmy, (www.caringbridge.org/visit/jimmyreichert) who has battled leukemia for over three years.  Jimmy left two sisters, parents and many others he inspired with his spirit.  Seeing his smile and reading of his strong determination made me think of Zach.  I am guessing Zach was surely waiting for both of these beautiful souls with a big smile and some sort of ball in hand as they celebrated their reward of being forever free of the cancer that had been such a difficult challenge here on earth.  Today is a hard day…

I had planned to share all that we experienced at the ICRS show, but I will save that for another day.  Please pray for these families.  Their hearts are broken and the road ahead of them long as they learn to live without their sweet heroes.

Sending prayers of peace and comfort to all,

Sherry