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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Saturday 6 October 2012

Memories of a Gentle Lady

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends!



I am thankful for so many things. If I was to list those blessings, it would be as long as my arm. This time of year when I think of those blessings, I think of a special friendship I once had and I thank God that He allowed me to have this friendship for a little while.

"Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melanie Beattie

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and so I thought I would do a special post about my best friend Carol who died of breast cancer.

I had heard my father speaking of this young lady for a few years before I actually met her. Daddy used to bowl with a league in the city and Carol and her husband were both members of it.


We finally met through some mutual friends when two of our children were small and we learned that we had many things in common. We had both moved around a lot when we were growing up, so we never really had a best friend but always dreamed of having one. We adored our husbands, and we each had three little boys that we were crazy about.

Carol was one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. She was beautiful inside and out.

We were much more like sisters than friends and we thrived on being home makers. We loved to bake and make our homes a haven for our loved ones to come home to.
We loved so many of the same things; pretty clothes and dishes, decorating our homes, nature, music, and Christmas. Most importantly, we both loved the Lord and we were passionate about living for Him.

When she was in her thirties Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a mastectomy. That was a hard time! We had hoped that they had gotten it all but she had only three years after that....

The photo below is of Carol and her youngest son who is also my son's best friend. The two boys grew up together and were each other's Best Man at their weddings. I know Carol would have been pleased about that!



It was in September on one of our last outings together when we were taking a walk through the park and we found ourselves in a little clearing. There, about six little red squirrels put on a show for us. We were like two little girls watching them and it was a day I will always remember! And today whenever I see a little red squirrel scurrying about, I think of her and that special day we shared.

It was on Thanksgiving Day a couple of weeks later, {October is when we Canadians celebrate the holiday}, when her family doctor made a house call and gave her the bad news; she had only two months to live!

She took to her bed after that and slowly went downhill. The first week in November, I knew her time here was short but the Lord  gave me a peace which even to this day, I shall never understand. Many tears were shed and my heart hurt so badly yet somehow I was able to trust God that He knew what He was doing.

On November 25, exactly one month away from our favourite holiday, the Lord took Carol home to be with Him.

I will always be thankful for the time we had together and I know someday I will see her again. In the meantime, I have my memories of our precious friendship.

We used to talk about being grandmothers and looked forward to  shopping for our little ones. But she never got to do that.
Today she has three beautiful daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren and I'm certain she is smiling down upon them even as I write this.

Life is so short. One never knows what a day or a month will bring. I have always said that we ought to live as though it is our last day on earth. Bring as much sweetness, kindness, and gentleness to those around you as you can. I hope, like my friend Carol, I will leave the world a better place. I hope you will too.

In memory of Carol Ann~

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." ~ 2 Thessalonians 3:16


Sharing from my heart~ Sandi

22 comments :

  1. Sandi:
    How very touching your story is today. I know now how you feel as I have just lost my friend, Ann to that dreaded disease, cancer. Thanks for sharing and I shed a wee tear as I read about those precious moments.We have the comfort that both our friends are in the presense of the Lord they loved most....Love Auntie P

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  2. How sad Carol's life was cut short, and that it happens to many people. Your adored best friend for a short time. How nice your sons remain close friends with hers.

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  3. I understand your loss, Sandi. Losing a close friend is heart-wrenching to say the least. I lost my good friend, Christine almost 3 years ago. She had ovarian cancer. She would be 55 now. I think of her every day and miss her so. True friends are few and far between. I cherish every bit of time we had together. Enjoy your memories of Carol. You were lucky to have each other for the time you did. Deb

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  4. What a wonderful tribute to a special friend, and of the grace of the Lord through difficult times. You will still have lots of time to share with her, one day. I am so grateful for that promise. Thank you for sharing about your special friend. God bless you Sis!
    Ruth

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  5. Dear Sandi, What a precious post and tribute to your friend Carol. I have lost my sister to Ovarian cancer 7.5 yrs ago and I know your pain and how you miss your friend. I think it is such a blessing that your son and hers are close-it a way you can be there as a special family friend, sort of an adopted mom & grandma. Have a blessed weekend and Happy Thanksgiving.
    Noreen

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving Sandi & Family.
    I just know your Friend Carol is smiling down on you today and everyday as you treasure and remember your friendship. CIBC where I work again raised over 3 million dollars for our Breast Cancer Awareness walk/run last weekend and I am proud to be associated with the cause.
    Let's hope we can find a cure soon and we will not lose any more loved ones to this terrible disease.
    Sending hugs from Saskatchewan...
    Wanda

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  7. Dear Sandi
    Very sad to lose your best friend but you've given Carol such a nice tribute in this post that I feel I know her through you.
    Your gift is to see her sons grow up and have the pleasure of knowing they continue to be close with you.
    Happy Thanksgiving.
    Hugs,
    Judith

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  8. I remember you telling us about your friend's passing and it's a year already, my goodness! So happy to know your son and her's are still so close and you, I'm sure, are a special aunt to him. Have a blessed weekend and thank you for making us a part of the 1 year anniversary.
    FABBY

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  9. Deat Sandi,
    this is a touching story and such a lovely tribute to your friend. It is so shocking to see that not all our friends have a long life. And nobody knows how long the life last. You are right, we should live as if it could be over tomorrow. I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.
    Hugs and greetings, Johanna

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  10. Deat Sandi,
    this is a touching story and such a lovely tribute to your friend. It is so shocking to see that not all our friends have a long life. And nobody knows how long the life last. You are right, we should live as if it could be over tomorrow. I wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving.
    Hugs and greetings, Johanna

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  11. What a touching tribute, Sandi. I am sorry her earthly life was cut short, but glad that as Christians we have the hope of life eternal with our God. I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
    You do make a difference, Sandi! Never doubt that.
    Hugs, Beth

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  12. ...and your friend would be so pleased to see your touching tribute! What special times you shared, ..... the sweet memories will never leave. Most of al, there is the hope of a reunion in heaven!

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  13. Oh Sandi, That was beautiful, thanks for sharing your heart and what God can do in our time of sadness. Friends are truly a gift from Him. And like you said, we need to live everyday as if it were our last, or the last day for those around us. Thanks for reminding me of who I need to be daily. God bless. Gina

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  14. Hi Sandi
    Happy thanksgiving!
    That was a lovely tribute of your sweet friend. Yes, we will see our loved ones again. Until then we carry on and touch as many lives as we can.

    Thank you for touching my life.

    Hugs
    LaDonna

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  15. Carol must have been a very special person and I'm sure she would deeply treasure your loving tribute to her, Sandi.
    To have a close friend who is more like a sister is a precious gift indeed!
    I lost a dear friend to Leukemia nearly 30 years ago and I still miss her.
    I'm looking forward to our reunion in Heaven.
    What a glorious time we'll have with our beloved family and friends when we get up there!
    And Sandi, this world is better place because of you and the way you love others with the selfless beauty of Christ.
    blessings..Trish

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  16. Such a beautiful post, Sandi. It's always good to be reminded to appreciate each day and cherish the people we love. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

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  17. Hi Sandi: Such a lovely post in honour of your friend. It was a sad story and I feel your pain. I had a friend like that died a couple of years ago of cancer also and I remember thinking that life will never be the same again.

    Have a very happy Thanksgiving with your family. Valerie

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  18. What a touching story! friendship really is the most important thing and so much to be thankful for! :) Praying for all of you!

    Hugs,

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  19. Hi Sandi,
    What a beautiful, moving tribute to your dear friend. Bless you! I hope you are sharing a lovely Thanksgiving weekend with your family.
    Hugs,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  20. What a beautiful story! All of those that have gone before us and know our Lord, we will see them again. Thank you for sharing your heart and thank you for the visit and sweet comment at The Dedicated House. It means the world. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-18.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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