Recently my dear friend and former sister-in-law Karen Patricia passed from this life. Initially, when I received the call, I was stunned because I just could not believe it was happening. “I just talked to her two days ago!”
Karen had been dealing with illness most of her adult life, nevertheless, she always found a way to help us all deal with “her” illness. I admired her so much because regardless of what the level of her suffering was, she always found her way back to a smile. I remember talking to her just a couple of days before she died and she said two things to me that I will carry with me forever. As she was catching me up on the latest information from the doctors, she ended her sentence with, “But, nevertheless God is good and He is keeping me.”
Because she had faced so many serious surgeries and procedures and always somehow pulled through all of them, there was a part of me that just didn’t accept what was being said, “We’ve lost her.” I just knew that she would once again pull through and we would be discussing her close call and giving thanks!
My first response was to question God, why now, why is she gone, I prayed. It just didn’t make sense to me; this isn’t what was supposed to happen! Once I got out of my own way the scripture Matthew 5:4 came to mind, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
As I reflected over her life, laughing at so many memories, I began to realize what a gift she was to all of us. And even though she has transitioned, she left a legacy of love, laughter and friendship for us all to model in our lives.
Karen blessed our lives so much during her appointed time, and now she will rest in her reward. “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
Tanya is an inspirational speaker and writer living in Charlotte. You can friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com. Read more columns by Tanya Wilson.
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