Friday, May 7, 2010

For Barbara

This photo was taken last November, with my closest friend here in Colorado~Barbara. Barbara and I met because she was my next door neighbor and over the last two years I've gotten to know this dear lady and I count it a blessing that she is one of the best friends I've had.

This post is for her, although she won't be reading it, I'm hoping maybe her husband and daughters may. Barbara was diagnosed,15 mos ago, with liver cancer; it was a shock because she was one of the healthiest ladies I've ever known-a marathon runner, semi-vegetarian and so very active. When I first met her I noticed how shy she was but I also noticed how incredibly intelligent she is. I was a bit intimidated at first but found within a short time she had a warmth about her and we grew to be good friends. Barbara did not let the cancer slow her down very much and as a scientist by profession she researched all she could about her disease.
Barbara has a wonderful devoted husband and two wonderful daughters who she cherishes so very much. Her grandchildren are her delight and have given her so much joy. What can you say when someone you love is hanging on by a thread and only a very short time to live? I have said, again and again, that I love her. I wish she wasn't leaving this earth and I think we would have had many fun adventures together. I don't want her to suffer though and so it has been my prayer that the Lord would be merciful and take her quickly. The last two weeks have been tough on Barbara and today she was hospitalized, not to return home. She will be sorely missed, not only by her family, but by me. She gave me the gift of friendship in this new community and state and for that I will be always be grateful.
Each day of life is a gift, one to be cherished and lived to the fullest so dear readers go out and live as though there is no tomorrow because we really never know....
I may be taking a few days off, if I am needed, but know I'll be back and visiting soon.
Noreen

13 comments:

  1. AMEN! Each day is a beautiful gift. In July of 2001 I watched my best friend take her last breath here...she exchanged my hand for GODS. I was blessed to be with her family when she journeyed home. She, too had been ravaged by cancer and suffered greatly in those last days. I know she dances before the LORD as your beautiful Barbara will one days soon. I am praying for Barbara, her family, and you, my sweet friend!
    Hugs,
    andrea

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  2. So sorry to hear of the physical condition of your dear friend...but her spiritual condition is reason to rejoice! May the Lord grant peace and comfort in the coming days....

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  3. So sorry to hear about your friend. It sounds like she is such a neat lady, and has been soo blessed. Yes, it is soo true. Not one of us knows the day or hour when our souls will be required of us. We need to live each day as if it might be our last. Have a wonderful Mother's Day Noreen. BLESSINGS AND HUGS, Debbie

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  4. I'm so sorry to hear about your friend Noreen. I'm sending many prayers her way and yours. What a beautiful post about Barbara. So glad you two were able to become friends. I bet her friendship with you has meant even more than you could imagine.

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  5. My heart aches for you. I know how hard it is for a friend to be sick. Praying much!! Hugs and love

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  6. Every day truly is a beautiful gift and you've given Barbara's family a beautiful gift in your wonderful words about your dear friend and their dear wife/mother with all of us in blogland.

    May the Lord grant peace and comfort in the days ahead as this dear woman soon rejoices in the presence of her Lord ... having been through this with my FIL and 4 months later, my MIL, my heart aches for her family and for you, her dear friend.

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  7. Praying for your sweet friend Noreen, and for you. Bless you...

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  8. I've said a prayer for you and your friend.

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  9. You know I am sorry for you sweet friend...and all concerned. What a hard thing to happen. What a gift God gave you in this neighbor and this friendship. I am sure you were a gift to her too.
    We don't know whose life we will touch or who God will send to touch us....I wonder how many of those gifts we miss when we turn away...shut the door..or say we are too busy.
    I so agree....we need to live each day...minute...hour as a gift from God.
    I am thankful to have you as a friend...I am thankful God allowed us to meet.
    blessings to you friend....come visit me whenever (o:

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  10. Hi Noreen,
    So sorry to hear about your friend.
    It is a hard thing to watch, I know from watching Jim's father pass away from
    pancreatic cancer. It is a bitter/sweet experience, but it sure prepares you to let go cause you can't stand to watch them suffer any longer.
    Will surely be praying for all of you during this difficult time.
    Hope you are able to enjoy your
    Mother's day sweetie,
    Love and Blessings, Nellie

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  11. I love you dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are definitely being said for you and for your special friend Barbara. Cancer...it is an ugly thing. It is one thing in this vast world of ours that I do hate.

    I am praying God's will in this and that she be comfortable and filled with peace despite such a tragic time in this physical world for her. I pray that His divine grace and tender mercies, peace and ultimate love fill her and cover her and her family and all the medical staff surrounding her. I also pray for guidance for all in contact with her in any way, shape or form. His will shall always be done and we can all rest in that, but it doesn't take the emotional heartache away during such a time as this.

    Sweet peace to you my friend...Sweet peace and big warm hugs to you.

    Alleluiabelle

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  12. Thank you Noreen for your blog. It touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Ok, the tears haven't left yet. There have been lots of tears in the past few days.

    I am arriving on Tuesday evening for a quick visit and an opportunity to tell my mom goodbye and get one last hug and kiss.

    I will blog at some point about this experience of my mom's diagnosis, what we went through the in the last year and a half and how things unfold from here. I have worked to keep my blog a cancer free zone for my mom, so she had a safe place to retreat and read about what is going on with us. But the time will come for me to let it out.

    Thanks for the wonderful friendship you have given my parents.

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