Thursday, November 15, 2007

Home Free

Home Free, eventually
At the ultimate healing we will be Home Free
Home Free, oh I’ve got a feeling
At the ultimate healing
We will be Home Free

--Wayne Watson, "Home Free"

My dear friend, Kimberly, is home with the Lord today. She has fought leukemia for about 14 years. When I first met her, she had just gone into her first remission. Her courage and faithfulness in the midst of her illness and many other personal struggles has encouraged and inspired me. As fellow redheads, we bonded quickly, and shared a similar sense of humor. We enjoyed spending time together when we both lived in Killeen, and even after I moved away, we remained close. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding, and I treasure that memory of her.
Kimberly
Her fair skin glowed and her red hair was set off by the copper dress. Through all of her struggles, Kimberly had a ready laugh and a deep love for people. She loved and treasured her son, Braedon. She cherished her sisters and her parents. And she was a special friend to me. My heart aches at the loss of this dear friend, and I know her family is grieving right now. But I rejoice that she is home free. She is experiencing the ultimate healing and worshipping at the feet of Jesus today!

This song/video is blessing me and encouraging me today:

8 comments:

Sandra Evertson said...

Am so sorry to hear of your loss,I can only pass along something said to me once,
Love Lives Forever
Sandra Evertson

kari and kijsa said...

We are so sorry to hear about your sweet friend! What a blessed person you are to have known her!

Have a blessed day!
kari and kijsa

Julie said...

I am sorry to hear about your friend. I just found out one of my high school friends passed away.

I just found your blog and was wondering if you also raise sheep? (because of the photo) I am also a Southern Texas girl!

Unknown said...

I am visiting for the first time today, and I am sorry to hear of Kimberly's passing. You are so right that she now has the ultimate healing and will no longer suffer in her body. Be assured that you have just placed a comma in your relationship with her– someday to pick up at that point and continue in eternity!

Best Blessings,
KJ

McMaster & Storm said...

T-
sorry about your loss. so hard to understand "thy will by done".
love,
kara & darcy

McMaster & Storm said...

that was supposed to be "thy will be done"
K & D

~Babychaser~ said...

I've never been to your site before... but I am deeply sorry for your loss! What a blessing it is that you got to know her!

Tamara said...

Thank you, all of you, for your kind words. I am truly blessed for having known Kimberly, and I am rejoicing in the knowledge that she is living in the presence of the Lord.

KJ, I love the idea of the comma. She would've loved that, too!

Kara & Darcy, you're right. It sometimes is hard to understand "Thy will be done", but as Jan Karon writes, that's the prayer that never fails! I know that God's will is the best way, and I'm comforted knowing that He is still in control!

Babychaser, thanks for visiting!

Julie, no, I don't raise sheep (though I think it might be fun)! That's a concrete sheep at a yard art place in Hempstead, TX.

Thank you again, kind readers, for your words of comfort. It has meant a lot to me.