As "The Cool Kids," we worked for months perfecting dance routines in order to put on neighborhood shows. We had an admittance fee for our audience- which mostly consisted of our parents and a few others who were willing to pay the price. We decorated for it, set up chairs, and we even held raffles with legitimate prizes... not bad for a bunch of elementary school kids. :-)
One of "The Cool Kids" really took me under her wing the moment I moved in next door as a little 6 year old girl. She walked to school with me almost daily and taught me to stand up for myself. She taught me how to put on make-up, how to dance with boys, how to do back-hand springs, and how to drive a car through her parent's yard!! Really, the list of the things she taught me could go on and on... The most important thing she taught me at that young age was the value of friendship; she was my first, true best friend of my life. Her name is Melody.
She married her high-school sweetheart, and they now have 2 handsome boys.
Even though our little band of "The Cool Kids" dispersed a bit over the years because our lives took some of us in different directions, we will all be forever bonded by our childhood memories. We will always love each other.
This past Fall, just before Thanksgiving, I received devastating news. Melody had been diagnosed with stomach cancer!
The shock- the anger- and of course the tears of sadness flooded my body. How could this monster of a disease be hurting my friend?
When I was just a baby, my sister, Christy, died of Burkitts Lymphoma at the age of 11. I continue to feel the pain that my siblings and my parents feel from losing such a true little angel. Christy has literally been my angel through the years.
My dear friend's mother, who mothered me while I lived in Utah, died of cancer within days of her diagnosis. I sang to her at her bedside in the early hours before she died. The pain of seeing her go is indescribable.
I also know that cancer can be beat!!! My mother and my husband's father are both cancer survivors!
After my mother's surgery to remove her cancer, she reached into her bag and pulled out something very symbolic... She put on a helmet and a shield, and then she held a sword up high in her hand. When the doctor entered the room, my mother called out with all the feeling and passion in the world: "Send me home Doctor!! I'm ready to fight!!" She was fighting cancer for both her and her daughter!!
Melody's spirit was also strong as we sat in the living room together. She was strong and pensive about life, yet I could tell there was a heavy weight on her soul.
Since that beautiful reunion, our family has continued to pray for Melody several times a day. Everything seemed to be going so well, and we have been grateful.
Today, one of my dear friends delivered heart-breaking news to me.
Melody's cancer has spread to her lungs, liver, and thyroid. The cancer had actually been in her stomach a lot longer than they originally thought- over 2 years! She has been struggling to even breathe. She is on oxygen and was admitted into the hospital tonight to start chemo again. They believe she may have pneumonia on top of everything else... She is still fighting....
My friend said it simply: "Rachel, Melody is going to need a miracle."
Melody calls me a "Prayer Warrior." I ask you to please join me in being warriors in prayer for her.
This is so sad. My family has had their fair share of cancer. I lost my grandpa, my aunt, my uncle and we almost lost my mom in the span of 12 years.
ReplyDeleteYour husband (and the rest of jericho road) sang and spoke at TOFW and they really touched my heart. I'll gladly join in praying for your friend.
xoxo
Andrea
andreanjace.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for your prayers of faith. I believe Melody is feeling them already. We thank God her body was strong enough today to start a new round of chemotherapy.
DeleteNext time you see Jericho Road perform again, please go say hi to Abe! He would love to meet you, and I would too- although I'm usually not with him there.
Thank you so much again.
There is nothing like the prayers that children speak, so I will definitely ask my children to add Melody to their prayers. When we had to discuss cancer and other diseases to our children (as their uncle was dying) my husband beautifully explained it this way, saying, "Father in Heaven simply wants us all to return to live with Him. Diseases may come and those are a part of the mortal process, but Father in Heaven is with us in each step of those battles and moments. He is never far from us. Pain is not an indicator that Father in Heaven does not love us, but it is an indicator of the POTENTIAL joy and love that awaits us." He ended by telling the children, "it is always okay to pray for someone who is sick because it shows that you have faith and you love your neighbor, but always remember that His will is most important and when they pass on to the next life, they will be without pain." I think this really helped my sons to understand that diseases and death are simply your turn to be craddled by Heavenly Father just a little bit more. Hang in there...prayers and miracles await!
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers and your children's prayers. Thank you for uplifting me today with such a reminder of our Heavenly Father's plan. It is true... every time I have gone through something truly painful, I have felt the miracle of being cradled by my Heavenly Father. I agree!! Miracles await!
DeleteI am praying for Melody. Thanks for sharing Rachel.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your prayers. She and her family need them. God Bless You.
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