Sing A New Song Homeschool - How do you go about the process of dying?

Sep. 3, 2006 - How do you go about the process of dying?

Okay, so I got a quick request in at the end of my last blog, asking for prayer for my friend Lisa. Well, today I found out that she has stage 4 brain cancer and a very optimistc prognosis of 2-3 years. Not good years, mind you. This hits home on so many levels for me. My grandma died of brain cancer 6 years ago, and yes, I carry around a nice little wound from that. More than that, I love Lisa. I hardly know her yet I love her and her husband Louis. They have 2 adolescent children and she homeschools them both. She's vibrant and loud and funny and supportive and caring and only 40!

My mind cannot fathom going about the process of dying. Especially her--she exudes life. Even now, in the face of this, she radiates life. We are in the same bunco group and there's been a time or two that I didn't feel like going. But I did to see Lisa, because she makes me laugh. So I'm pondering the question of how to go about dying when you have so much life left in you? Do you try to cram in every activity you ever wanted to do while you can, regardless of money? Do you continue to do the daily's, even if you hate them? Do you give in and try to wrap it all up? Or do you fight until the very end, refusing to do any memory albums or letters to the children on their wedding day, because by doing those things, you're concedeing?

This is too much for me to even think about. I don't know why it's affected me so deeply, other than the reasons I've already given. But I've been crying all day and now, at 2:30 am, I can't sleep.

I'd hope to get to know Lisa and Louis better, invite their family over for dinner and stuff like that. And I still will, because I love them! But it feels like the rugs been pulled out from under me in this friendship. I cannot even fathom what her husband and kids are feeling. What she's feeling. It's too much for me to even comprehend right now. This world is an awful world.

    ...he will swallow up death forever.
       The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
       from all faces;
       he will remove the disgrace of his people
       from all the earth.
       The LORD has spoken

Isaiah 25:8

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

I pray that Lisa and Louis, and thier children, hear the Lord through this and respond to His calling. I pray that they know that if they pray for healing, it will come, just maybe not in our way or our time. I pray for them to depend upon the strength of the Almighty Lord to carry them through this time. Please, Father God, may she know you and love you and lean on you and may she be the recipient of a miracle if that be your will. Father I place these 4 hurting people at your throne and ask for you to do your will in their life. Thank you God for loving us and giving us a way out of this sinful and dying world through Jesus your son. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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Sep. 3, 2006 - Praying for Lisa & Louis

and their children as I know that His strength is the only thing that can really get people through these trying times. I pray also for you that God would give you the opportunity gentleness and boldness to share the gospel with this family who needs it so desperately.

Because of Him,

Jennifer

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Sep. 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment

I will put Lisa and her family on my prayer list. God's strength and love is what helps us get through these times. What a wonderful friend you are. I'm glad you will be praying for her as she and her family go through the next few years.

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Sep. 18, 2006 - It's not goodbye...

...it's "see you later"....

I think we all have to live in denial of our mortality in order to create anything at any time that would glorify God. When you "know" when you're going to die, however, it puts an ugly face on the daily living stuff but does give an opportunity to continue to live by faith in the one true, merciful, all-knowing Creator. It is a chance to leave footprints, and your friend is doing that to the best of her ability at this time. Follow them to the Savior, and be comforted, for he knows your sorrows.

Keri

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Sep. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Hello. I found your blog through another site. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. My cousin's friend died from the same thing--and she was a young mom of 4. The Lord was faithful to provide the kids a new mom after a short time. But the end of the process was really difficult. I'm so sorry for your friend. And for you having to go through this. I pray the Lord brings you both closer to Him and provides a healing balm for your souls.

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Oct. 4, 2006 - To dying

Having just been there with my mother, you might want to read the posts on my blog. Dying is a part of living and how we die is as much of a witness as how we have lived. Being the one left behind, by reading my site, you might get some ideas of what I considered important before my Mom died. It's a painful time but it can also be a triumphant time rich with laughter and memories-to-be. And no, it isn't giving in to write those letters--it's being wise. My mom began the process ten years ago and yet didn't stop fighting right to the end. God bless you and I'll keep you in my prayers.

Dear Father,
Please comfort this friend and help her to know what you desire of her in this whole process. Put your arms around her and give her peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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