Christmas will be a little dimmer, a little less joyful for
me this year, since I lost a good friend. Cathy loved Christmas and all that
goes with it. She loved to laugh and sing and talk… maybe even gossip a little.
She loved late night television shopping on the Home Shopping Network. She
loved good food, good music and good books. She loved life.
Her humor and cheer
were infectious. When Cathy laughed, everyone laughed. It was simply
irresistible. I often came to see her,
with the intent of cheering her up, to minister to her, if you will. I would
usually leave feeling a little guilty, knowing that I was the one who had
benefited most.
She was the bravest person that I have ever known. She
refused to be defeated by disease, or suffering, or lost freedom of movement.
She knew the true value of things that I take for granted every day. She woke
up, faced her situation, and lived her life every day with love, courage, and
vitality, in spite of the difficulty and the pain.
Most people approach the age of 40 with some degree of
trepidation. Cathy considered it a personal victory. Every day of life was a
new record for her, a personal best, as they say in the world of athletics.
I know that I shouldn’t be sad, because Cathy isn’t here to
see another Christmas with me. I can’t help it. I miss her. It helps to know
that she is seeing her first Christmas in Heaven. I hope that I can share it
with her some day. I can’t imagine what
glories are present there to see. I’m sure that Cathy is seeing them all,
experiencing the unimaginable delights. I have no doubt that she has joined the
choir.
After she has rested a while, I think God will call Cathy to
him. I think he might say, “Cathy, I have a very important job for you.” “I
want you to teach the angels to laugh.”
No one could be more qualified for the job. Only someone who has
suffered can truly be joyful. Maybe that was her secret, Lord knows she
suffered so. When I think of her though, I remember her cherubic smile, her
sprightly humor, and her laugh. I can still hear it.
Yea, I think the
angels are in good hands with Cathy as their instructor. I wonder what it
sounds like, when an angel laughs?
MJS
12/13/02
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