It is rare for a writer to move me to tears while challenging and inspiring me at the same time. Kristy pointed me in the direction of Amy’s journal and it’s been "with me" ever since I read it.
As stated on her home page, "Amy was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia July 2, 2006. This
blog is to keep you, [her] family and friends, up-to-date on her progress
as we travel this cancer journey, with the Lord as our Guide."
It got my attention initially, I suppose, because this is what my dear friend, Anne, had. I k n o w what AML can "do". I began by reading an entry of Amy’s, then another post, then another, and I couldn’t stop; I finally began at the beginning of her "story" and read all the way through (her blog doesn’t have that many posts). Her faith is unwavering, but she tells it r e a l. In the midst of almost certain death, her frailty is under girded with a certain strength that is not her own; very real fears are combated with courage; her response is one I’d like to think I’d have given similar circumstances, but I wonder if I’d have the grace to do so….
(from her 2/21/07 post) We are heartbroken. This is not the news we wanted to hear. We wanted
to raise our son, to grow old together, but God has different plans for
our family. And as much as we don’t understand them right now, we know
that He is sovereign over this as well. Please pray for us, and for my
family especially. My part in all of this is rather easy. I get to die
and be with my Savior in glory. I get to miss out on all the suffering
this world holds. It is my family who bear the grief and the pain day
in and day out. It is for them that my heart breaks.Hold your
loved ones a little closer for me today. Live life a little more —
wear your dressy clothes around the house just because life is really
short and stains don’t really matter. Don’t get impatient about the
little things.Someday we’ll understand why.
Two days later she was given 2-3 months to live.
Her responses are amazing. On one hand I want to stop reading now because we know where this is headed; on the other, her telling is simple, beautiful, and somehow important. She doesn’t leave you with sadness, but with great hope for a life without end; she’s living out this journey set before her with dignity and grace, testifying to this plan by God for her life instead of shaking her fist at him and screaming, "WHY ME?!".
Please–Read her story. Pray for her. Be changed as a result.
Robin- I did the very same thing with Amy’s blog as you. What a story! Her faith is so strong and pure. I only hope that mine would be if I were in her situation. I think about her words, and her, several times a day. My son is the same age as her son. I pray for her daily.
I’ve been reading her story for quite some time now. She is amazing! What a testimony of faith. Her words “My part in all of this is rather easy. I get to die and be with my Savior in glory” just bring me to tears every time. My continued prayers are with her and her dear family.
You’ve honored her beautifully here, Robin. So much better than I did -thank you. I lOVE how she talks about Heaven.
I think we’ll all be changed as we watch this story unfold………..
**hugs**
Okay – I’m grudgingly going to read her blog only because you recommend it….I just don’t want to cry, okay? If I cry – I am holding you personally responsible.
I wish I knew what to say. It’s touching.
Dear Robin: Thank you for sending me Amy’s way. I will continue to read about her progress. What a strong person. I usually have something goofy to say, but tonight I’ll spend my energies on my knees, lifting her up, and hoping her mouth feels better and that her nausea subsides and that the medicines do their job.
Jill, I recognized many bloggers in Amy’s comments; I’m not sure how I’ve missed her story before now. She is soooo young and yet so wise…
Amy, that’s where I lost it…
Kristy, she challenges, huh? I’m touched by her lack of self-pity.
Karmyn…ummm…no promises…:/. But it seems “right” to care about this person, and to know her, even if ever so briefly, because it matters that you know…
Mike, yeah…..I know.
Swampy, I wondered if you’d see this. I thought about you and your words “I had cancer but it didn’t have me”–didn’t you say something like that? Thank you for remembering Amy now when she desperately needs comfort…your prayers join countless others, a beautiful symphony of intercession.
I’ve been reading her, too. bloglined her a few weeks back.
My eldest sis died of that same disease in 1994. I thought by now they would have conquered it.
Prayers said.
Robin, I’m back…just added three sunrises for Amy on my current post. Sunrises represent a new day and a new beginning for me. I wanted her to have a Colorado Sunrise.
And yes, I did say, “I had cancer, it didn’t have me.” I am so impressed you remembered that. Thank You, Darlin’
Thanks for highlighting Amy’s blog. What strength and faith she has, I was so moved by her words. She is in my thoughts and prayers.
Sure puts everything into perspective. Prayers to Amy and her family.
She sounds like an amazing person. It sure puts things into perspective… like complaining about a silly water heater. 😉 I will give her blog a look, and will probably bawl!
I found Amy’s journal earlier this month. Her attitude is amazing.
Hi Robin(who spells her name right)
I just found your blog and subsequently Amy’s story. Thank you for directing me there – I will pray for her and her family as they journey through this ordeal. After reading her entries, I feel unworthy to even pray for such a giant in the faith, but I will anyway. She has certainly blessed me and given me perspective.
I am constantly moved by the stories around me. I have had two 30-something year old friends undergo double mastectomies in the past year, one friend’s daughter was just diagnosed with leukemia, another friend’s son diagnosed with Type I diabetes….I could go on and on.
These stories really hit close to home. Tonight, I will hold my kids a little tighter and a little longer. I will be thankful that Funny Girl is driving me crazy this week – reading this once again reminds me that I could be dealing with something far greater than a mischievous toddler.
Thank you for this – I’m going to go stop by her site now.
P.S. Your comment at my place gave me a great big ol’ grin 🙂 Thank you.
Pamela, I’m sorry to hear that (cancer, but a different form, killed my mom). I guess there have been advances, but not nearly enough.
Thanks, Kila.
Swampy, you are quite memorable…and the sunrises are symbolically beautiful :). Thanks friend.
Beccy, I guess there are many who knew of Amy’s story, it was new to me, though…and such a courageous telling of a sad story…:/.
AMD and Gina–Definitely ditto!
Robin (no, I’m not talking to myself ;), glad you found me (I didn’t know I was lost)…and yeah, I agree with your sentiment.
MaryMert, Our lives can be aggravating, and then we get a dose of that kind of reality, and well, perspective is the best way to sum it up. Messed up water heaters are still a bear, though…
Susan :D, HAPPY to see you, girlie-Q, the truth is, kids can suck the ever-lovin’ breath of life out of you, so don’t feel bad about your frustrations! It is what it is (and you KNOW I LOVE my babies!)… But, you hear these REAL stories of life and death and it helps you to see a little more clearly. I’m thankful for that.
I saw this link at Kristy’s (and elsewhere too) and so, I got a double dose of Amy’s poignant posts. So very sad.
I’ve lost 2 friends to cancer. One was saved, the other wasn’t. BIG difference in attitude. When you know the Truth, and He is with you 24/7 in a crisis like that, it really shows. Thanks for keeping Amy’s faith out there for all of us to see and to ponder. :~)