I just can't work right now - can't get Kathy Boyer off of my mind - can't get the heaviness to leave my heart.
Kathy went home to live with Jesus 2 days ago, December 26, 2009. She is now a resident of the Kingdom of Heaven - not Springdale, Arkansas anymore. She has seen Jesus face-to-face. She is walking and living on streets paved with gold. She has a new mansion. Her body, her earth-suit,has been made whole and she has no more pain, no cancer and she can take in big deep breaths whenever she wants to. I think that her first feast at the banquet table had some extra cheesy, creamy mac-n-cheese and ice cream. Not sure what else - but I think those two things for sure.
I imagine that she has already been horseback riding this morning and probably did some skiing this afternoon. I feel confident that she has been dancing and singing all over town. I am sure that Kathy has already met her neighbors - I'll bet she went door-to-door greeting them all with her huge smile and twinkling eyes.
Kathy Boyer was a remarkable woman on many levels! She never complained - NEVER! Although she battled, and I mean battled, ovarian cancer for 24 of her 50 years - the woman never complained! She never felt sorry for herself - she never quit living - she never considered dying.
Whenever asked about her condition, she matter-of-factly said that she was doing good. She would tell the latest Dr. reports and act and talk like it was no big deal. She ALWAYS ended her report with "God has a plan - He has everything in His control."
Kathy never missed a chance to enjoy her family and friends. If she wasn't in the hospital and she could walk (or be carried) - she was there - enjoying herself and everyone's company. She went years without hair. That didn't keep her home - she had a seasonal wardrobe of hats and scarves to cover her little bald head.
I didn't really get to "know" Kathy until 2007 or so - before then, she was just an aquaintance. She became part of our Girl's night out group and also our Friday Night dinner gang. That is when I really learned what this lovely lady was made of -
Everyone that ever met Kathy - loved Kathy. You had to! She was one of the most genuine, caring, loving, kind and considerate people - she was contagiously happy and full of joy! Kathy loved the Lord and shared that with all that would listen. She loved to laugh and had a perpetual smile on her face. Kathy had a huge cross to bear in this life - I don't understand why - . Kathy never questioned it - she just made the best of it and moved forward. Kathy never asked anyone to help her carry that cross - she knew it belonged to God and she allowed Him to carry it for her.
Josilyn, Brenda and I visited Kathy in the hospital last Tuesday (22nd). It was very evident that she was gravely ill. She couldn't breath even though she was on full oxygen and taking respiratory breathing treatments every hour or so. She gasped for air and for each breath. We asked her how long the Dr. thought it would be until she could breath again - she said that this was how it would be going forward.
The 3 of us knew that Kathy was not long for this world at that point. So - we knew that Kathy knew too. She never let on. As a matter of fact, she told us that the Dr. was trying to get her home on Christmas Eve and that she planned to go to Shaun and Sara's house that evening and then to another family members home the following day if she felt like it. She said that she would be at the New Year's Eve celebration at Josilyn and Don's house. She wanted mac-n-cheese; I was going to make her some for New Year's Eve and make extra for her to take home. She was down to 85 pounds and needed to fatten up.
She was still busy living!!!! She didn't have any plans to die!
And then - just like that - she is gone.
Some of the things I have learned from Kathy's life (and want to implement in my life, in her honor) are: it is possible to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus -and really leave them there; It is possible to truly know and believe that God has a perfect plan for us - to not question it - to realize it isn't necessary to worry about anything - our job is just to live and trust Him; to always remember that the Joy of the Lord IS our strength; to remember that no matter our lot, Thou has taught us to say - that it is well, it is well, with our soul.
I believe that was Kathy's mantra - she knew at all times that it was well with her soul!
It seems like life should stop, at least for a day, in order to acknowledge and honor her life and her passing. But that isn't how it works - life marches on.
So.... Kathy, my friend, enjoy your new home! Those of us that are left behind will forever miss you. You will be remembered fondly. I can't begin to imagine how many lives you have touched or how many people you have inspired. But I for one am so very thankful that God caused our paths to cross and humbled that you considered me a friend.
So long for now......I will see you again someday on the other side.
