My dear, sweet friend, Tara, passed away late Friday night. She was only 28 and leaves behind many who loved her, not the least of those her parents, brother Jeremy and her husband. As I sit here looking at photos of my friend (printed, not digital), my heart aches knowing I will miss our talks and hearing her laugh. I know I will see Tara again, and in the meantime my sweet friend is free from the pain and illness that plagued the last few years of her life.
The news of her death was (what I hope) the ending in a series of difficult changes in my little family's life. I'm not going to talk about the other changes now, but I take great comfort in knowing I have wonderful family and fabulous friends. Mostly, I take comfort in my faith, and knowing that my family is an eternal one -- my baby and my wonderful, loving, brilliant, supportive husband. How lucky I feel to have this good man by my side. He makes all my worry, stress (or at least the vast majority of it) and unhappiness vanish.
I know my challenges are nothing compared with others, but it still buoys the heart to know my family is there.
Like my dad told me tonight (and when he says "you" he means we): "You're not alone."
3 comments:
You are in our prayers as you face these life challenges and your Dad is so right. . ."you" (we) are NOT alone". It's amazing how many find ourselves with such similar challenges and the comfort that does come from our faith. It is the cement that holds us together. We love you.
Lorin and Donna
Rachel- My heart aches for you and your friend's family. I too lost a dear friend, who was 28 too, just this July. I cried for days. But what a blessing we have: the knowledge that we are eternal and God loves us and we will be together again. You are in my prayers.
Rachel,
I want you to know that my heart goes out to you, Lane and the baby. I am sorry to hear about your friend, and on top of the wonderful news both Lane and I recieved last Friday, I'm sure you are ready to hide under a rock a with me. I got sick in Vegas, lost money, lost my job and now my car won't start so I can't go to class. While a dear friend of mine did not pass away, (and I can't begin to tell you how much I sympathize with you) I am just sitting here asking God, "Are you done yet!? Please tell me this is it!!!..."
If he is testing my strength, I hope I have passed already.
I wish you all the best. :)
-Tori
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