A couple of days ago I changed my facebook status to say Normal has never felt better!
That normal day this week was spent with my sons, cleaning, and cooking food. My typical days are like that. :) What felt so good about it was that I was home, not crying, and not as sad as I was the week before.
Because on February 11, 2012 my life changed in one phone call.
In a few short sentences I learned that one of my best friends had died in a skiing accident. Most everyone in Northwest Iowa knows the story by now. Tina Heilman was skiing with a group of friends from her church and she lost control and skiied into a ski lift support pole. She died from her injuries shortly after her accident.
When I heard Becky tell me those words, I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. This was something that didn't happen to anyone I know, much less one of my best friends. I did the only things I was able: pray and cry. It wasn't one of those tears silently fall down your cheeks kind of cry- this was a full body wailing. How could Tina be gone just like that?
To recap the days following, they were filled with more crying, lots of Tylenol, and lotion-Kleenex. But, more importantly PRAYER, hugs, seeing friends I haven't seen in months, sharing stories of how Tina was amazing (and less than amazing....) and laughing. It never once felt wrong to laugh about memories we have of Tina. We will continue to remember the amazing times we've had over the 10 years she was our friend and continue to miss her.
When someone dies at a young age, I tend to ask God "Why?" Why did that person's life have to be cut short? Why don't they get a future when wretched, horrible people continue to pollute the Earth? Why not take the bad people and keep the good? With Tina, it's different. Her life was such a testimony to God's goodness and grace, that I'm not questioning. I know that God was pleased with her and He can (and is) working wonders even through her death. Because of God's unfailing love and my faith in Him, I'm not a sobbing mess and dwelling on how I think her life should have played out. Tina lived life to the full and gave all glory and praise to God. Isn't that what we should all do every single day? Isn't that how I should parent? Isn't that how I should treat my neighbors? my enemies? Live life to the full and give all praise and glory to God.
Amen!
Tina, your life was but 24 years on this Earth, but you are spending ETERNITY in Heaven! I cannot imagine how amazing it must be! Save a spot by the campfire for me :) WOF #eternity is gonna rock!
That normal day this week was spent with my sons, cleaning, and cooking food. My typical days are like that. :) What felt so good about it was that I was home, not crying, and not as sad as I was the week before.
Because on February 11, 2012 my life changed in one phone call.
In a few short sentences I learned that one of my best friends had died in a skiing accident. Most everyone in Northwest Iowa knows the story by now. Tina Heilman was skiing with a group of friends from her church and she lost control and skiied into a ski lift support pole. She died from her injuries shortly after her accident.
When I heard Becky tell me those words, I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. This was something that didn't happen to anyone I know, much less one of my best friends. I did the only things I was able: pray and cry. It wasn't one of those tears silently fall down your cheeks kind of cry- this was a full body wailing. How could Tina be gone just like that?
To recap the days following, they were filled with more crying, lots of Tylenol, and lotion-Kleenex. But, more importantly PRAYER, hugs, seeing friends I haven't seen in months, sharing stories of how Tina was amazing (and less than amazing....) and laughing. It never once felt wrong to laugh about memories we have of Tina. We will continue to remember the amazing times we've had over the 10 years she was our friend and continue to miss her.
When someone dies at a young age, I tend to ask God "Why?" Why did that person's life have to be cut short? Why don't they get a future when wretched, horrible people continue to pollute the Earth? Why not take the bad people and keep the good? With Tina, it's different. Her life was such a testimony to God's goodness and grace, that I'm not questioning. I know that God was pleased with her and He can (and is) working wonders even through her death. Because of God's unfailing love and my faith in Him, I'm not a sobbing mess and dwelling on how I think her life should have played out. Tina lived life to the full and gave all glory and praise to God. Isn't that what we should all do every single day? Isn't that how I should parent? Isn't that how I should treat my neighbors? my enemies? Live life to the full and give all praise and glory to God.
Amen!
Tina, your life was but 24 years on this Earth, but you are spending ETERNITY in Heaven! I cannot imagine how amazing it must be! Save a spot by the campfire for me :) WOF #eternity is gonna rock!
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