Lessons through grace
I found out a couple of weeks ago that an old school friend had passed away. Her brother contacted me to let me know. I haven't seen or spoken to her since I moved away when we were in Form 1, but we recently got in touch on Facebook.
Christina and I were best friends at primary school. Actually, I coveted her life in every way, especially her lovely long, blonde, wavy hair. Oh how I would so rather have had her lovely locks than my carrot top straight nothing hair! When we played catch and kiss, she was always the one who got caught the most!
I am top row, third from left, Christina is next to me.
She was a beautiful, thoughtful person, always welcoming new friends into our circle, and I thought of her lots after we had lost contact. She had a huge impact on my childhood memories. I was so happy to find her on Facebook and she was still the most beautiful woman, inside and out.
However, she didn't go on very much so we only caught up once when we first made contact. It turned out that Facebook was probably a pretty low priority as she was fighting cancer. At the end of March, she had a stroke, and died 2 weeks later.
It has had quite a bit of impact on my life. Not only because she got sick and she was my age. (You know that realisation that I am now at the age where life threatening illnesses become something that is more and more possible.) But also because I had really coveted my dear friend for a long, long time. I wanted her life! In my mess of a life, she seemed to have it all.
If I could go back and change anything it would be that I would enjoy my friend just as my friend, and that I would have the knowledge that nobody's life is perfect.
In my adult life, I struggled with jealousy and a few years back, had a spiritual encounter that I completely believe delivered me from that struggle - an amazing testimony I might tell you a bit more about sometime.
I am so, so thankful that I live with a covering of amazing grace. Instead of feeling guilty over things I can't take back, I choose to honour my friend and learn the lessons that through her life and death, she has taught me.
Christina leaves behind a loving husband and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. May she Rest In Peace.
Christina and I were best friends at primary school. Actually, I coveted her life in every way, especially her lovely long, blonde, wavy hair. Oh how I would so rather have had her lovely locks than my carrot top straight nothing hair! When we played catch and kiss, she was always the one who got caught the most!
I am top row, third from left, Christina is next to me.She was a beautiful, thoughtful person, always welcoming new friends into our circle, and I thought of her lots after we had lost contact. She had a huge impact on my childhood memories. I was so happy to find her on Facebook and she was still the most beautiful woman, inside and out.
However, she didn't go on very much so we only caught up once when we first made contact. It turned out that Facebook was probably a pretty low priority as she was fighting cancer. At the end of March, she had a stroke, and died 2 weeks later.
It has had quite a bit of impact on my life. Not only because she got sick and she was my age. (You know that realisation that I am now at the age where life threatening illnesses become something that is more and more possible.) But also because I had really coveted my dear friend for a long, long time. I wanted her life! In my mess of a life, she seemed to have it all.
If I could go back and change anything it would be that I would enjoy my friend just as my friend, and that I would have the knowledge that nobody's life is perfect.
In my adult life, I struggled with jealousy and a few years back, had a spiritual encounter that I completely believe delivered me from that struggle - an amazing testimony I might tell you a bit more about sometime.
I am so, so thankful that I live with a covering of amazing grace. Instead of feeling guilty over things I can't take back, I choose to honour my friend and learn the lessons that through her life and death, she has taught me.
Christina leaves behind a loving husband and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. May she Rest In Peace.
oh how sad for you, and also for her husband and daughter so young. Isn't it lovely tho that you were able to connect with her again after all those years, even if only once.
Lovely post...and love to hear your testimony sometime, if you decide to share : )