One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” But on May 22, 2011, I didn’t want to rejoice or be glad in the day. The reason: I’d received an early morning phone call telling me my sister passed away. Linda lost her battle with breast cancer after 16 years. Through tears and laughter (and there were plenty of both) R and I reminisced about Linda.
One thing that kept coming up in our conversation was how Linda grabbed life with both hands the moment she learned of her diagnosis. Since she’d always loved to travel – now it became her way of life. And the minute she got home from one trip, she planned her next adventure to check off her Bucket List.
Whether she was trying her hand at tandem skydiving in Hawaii, hiking down into the Grand Canyon and rafting the Colorado River, or helping out at a soup kitchen in Kansas City – Linda embraced life to the fullest, milking every drop out of whatever time she had left on this earth. And entertaining family and friends along the way.
Linda experienced JOY IN THE JOURNEY.
Thanks, sis, for all the memories you left behind for us to cherish. We miss you so much!!!!
Love ya,
nettie
PS: Please click on the title (above) and listen to Tim McGraw's "Live Like You’re Dying.” This could have been Linda's theme song.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing, Janetta. You sister's life sounds like a beautiful journey. What an adventurer! I wish I'd known her.
What a wonderful tribute to your sister, Janetta! It sounds like she was a hoot. Me thinks it runs in the family... Love ya!
Janetta,
I'm so sorry to hear about Linda. It's especially moving because my sister-in-law Linda is fighting lung cancer.
We should all follow your sister's example and live as if today will be our last. Find the joy in the moment and stop putting off living for when it's convenient.
I know you have joy in knowing one day you'll be reunited.
Love, Jonna
Yes, I wish everyone could have met Linda. She was a HOOT!!! Love you guys!!!
I love the way Linda embraced life even in the face of death. It sounds like she had a lot of courage. I look at some people who have not been given a death sentence, yet are afraid to live. I hope that I can be like Linda and rejoice in today whether I know the days are going to be short or long.
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