A VERY special woman and sweet friend of mine went home to Jesus today.  Deborah fought a long battle with cancer and today she is free from her broken body.  I met Deborah and her husband Bernie at church.  We became part of a discipleship group and became incredibly close to three couples, Deborah and Bernie Davies, the Callaways and the Wrens.   We were so close that all three couples are Godparents to our kids.  Yes, Deborah was not just a friend, she was a sister-in-Christ and a Godmother to my kids.

She was a woman who kept a close circle of friends.  Unlike my social-butterfly self, she was much more introvert and I am forever blessed to have been one of the few that she let get close to her heart.  She had a love of all things in nature.  If there was anyone that literally stopped to smell the roses (and identify them, and take a picture of them) it was Deborah.  She also had an amazing talent for quilting.  She made Anthony a gorgeous quilt when he was born.  It was in the colors of his nursery; blue, yellow and green.  Not only was it filled with beautiful fabrics and textures… but she sewed something EXTRA special into it…. squares hand written with scriptures and notes from all of the godparents!  It is such a treasure.   She also made one for Sydney that included squares of scriptures and prayers but also was full of butterflies and Randall, Anthony, Zach and I all had our hands dipped in paint and created a family of butterflies on the quilt.  Needless to say it is beautiful!!

Deborah “adopted” Anthony when he was born.  She had a special place in her heart for him…. and he for her.  She sent him post-cards from wherever she travelled, and every holiday bought him books… his FAVORITE thing!  She even found a book on camoflauge after hearing Anthony’s Camel squash story.  I was also blessed to be in a reunion group with Deborah for many years.  This is a weekly group of a few women that get together and share our lives and hold each other up.  We shared our hearts and joys. 

Deborah fought cancer a few years ago.  We all stood with her through her journey to remission.  Then it came back this Spring.  This time she was stronger in spirit and faith and soared through it with amazing Grace.  Just when she was declared in remission… she was experiencing sharp pains in her side.  A few short weeks later she was given the news that she had terminal cancer and told that she had up to 6 months to live.  This time it was very painful, and she spent many nights and days going in and out of the hospital.  I was incredibly blessed to have many hours of one on one conversations during these hospital visits.  I think I grew closer to her in these last few tragic months.  For that I am grateful. 

I visited her everyday since Christmas when she was whisked to the hospital and tests concluded that she was in renal failure and the end was near.  I wanted to be there more but also wanted to respect her family who was making their way into town from Louisiana, California and even Germany.  Luckily all of her family was able to make it here before she passed.  She spent the last two days in a hospice facility.  When I saw her last, she was responding, asking questions, and having moments of lucidity.  What a blessing that was.  When I left yesterday, she was covered in a beautiful blue quilt that she had made for going to Chemo sessions. 

I will miss Deborah terribly!  She has been lifted up and is in the hands of God now.  She was surrounded by her family this afternoon as she went home to God.  She had Bernie by her side as well as her children Kathryn and Christian, her twin Chris as well as other family and friends.  She was also lifted up in prayer by many many more who were not able to be with her.

Deborah is a bright spirit that has left a beautiful legacy with all who were blessed to call her friend, sister, wife, mother, daughter.  She is an amazing woman, whom we will all miss dearly.

In this time of great loss, please pray for Bernie and the family as they cope with this difficult time.  I will leave you with this scripture that popped into my head when I got the call… Deborah is now on wings as eagles….

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31