A Good Friend

This is one of my best friends. Her name is Nancy. She is not only a great friend to me, but she has been an additional grandma for all of my kids. I met nancy 4 years ago after we moved to Star. She moved in across the street. I remember it vividly, the day we met. I was outside huge as a house pregnant with Tyler planting flowers, she came over and sat on the grass with me and just started chatting. There was never any awkwardness. It was almost as if we just picked up where old friends would leave off. That bond that you know you knew this person before. We have spent lots of time sitting on driveways watching kids play, planing seeds, gardening, weeding, talking, etc.

Two years ago, Nancy was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent surgery to remove one of her kidneys and then started a trail oral chemotherapy rather than the traditional IV chemo. The side effects although not the same as the IV chemo were not pleasant. After a year or so on it she decided that it wasn't worth what she was feeling and decided to go off of the chemo completely. That was about 6-8 weeks ago. So, as a result she went on Hospice care. Last week the doctors told the family that her kidney was shutting down and it was about a two week window before she would pass. I called to check on her early last week and found out the news. It has been a hard adjustment for me.

My kids came home the day I found out and we had a talk about dying and what happens. They were pretty upset as well. They love this woman. Hunter learned at church on Sunday about fasting and came home determined to fast for Nancy. He doesn't want her to die. It's hard to explain and yes fasting works, but her time has come and fasting for her to live isn't the best approach. He is determined though and last night changed his prayer from complete healing to live longer to hoping that her family has peace and Nancy has no pain. He is such a sweet boy.

I on the other hand, while their family is in my prayers walk around in or near tears most of the time. I went and saw her last week twice. She is in bed, can't move, and very somber. Although she did laugh when we reminded her that Hunter once told her she was the strongest woman he knew a few years ago (she could pull a railroad spike out of the grass). I was able to talk shortly with her and kiss her head before leaving the room to sob with her daughter in the hall. I think what kills me the most is she's not a member of the church. I want her to be...I want to do her work, but I can't....she's not my direct line and her family wouldn't allow it. Nonetheless, I love her and look forward to seeing her again when she passes through the veil to the other side.

Nancy, you are such a good friend. I love that you always told me I was a good mother, I love that you were a sounding board when there were things happening with my kids and their friends, I love that I could borrow spices from you and you could borrow from me, I love doing yard work with you. Mostly I just love you! I thank God that he put you in our lives. For now, until we meet again, I love you!