Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to a friend is hard, especially if you know it will be the last time you ever talk to them. A little over two weeks ago I was leaving Medford for a mission trip down to Mexico. I received a text from a friend letting me know that I should probably give my friend Mary a call before I leave, just in case she didn't make it until I got home. My first response was to just leave and not have to deal with how I was feeling about the situation, but I decided that I would make the call and I am so glad I did. Mary was 82 years old and she had leukemia for the second time. This time she decided not to do any treatment and go home with the Lord when he was ready to bring her home. Mary is like a grandma to me. I have known her most of my life and over the past twelve years, while I lived in La Grande, I grew really close to her. When I made the phone call I wasn't even sure if I would be able to talk to her, but God is so good and allowed me to have my final conversation with Mary. I was able to tell Mary goodbye and that I loved her and she said the same to me. This was one of the hardest conversations I have ever had and it ended with me crying harder than I have in years. Two days later, while I was walking back to the hotel in Mexico, I received the news that Mary had passed away. A part of me was relieved because I didn't want to see her in pain anymore and I knew she was at home with Jesus, the other part of me was sad because I lost someone so close to my heart.

We spent another week in Mexico when we received the news that another close friend of mine, Kevin, was not doing very well and they weren't sure how much longer he would be here. Kevin is 21 years old and has been in my life since he was in the 6th grade. I have loved Kevin like he was my own child. I was his youth leader for many years and then had the honor of being here in Medford, helping out with Anthem, where he is a student. Kevin was diagnosed with a brain tumor a little over two years ago and in the past couple of weeks we found out that his tumor has grown to 6.5mm. Just last week, after not thinking he might make it through the night, the doctors gave him steroids and that helped him to make it back home to La Grande. Our team in Mexico made the decision to cut our trip short and head home as quickly as possible. We flew into San Francisco, drove home to Medford, did some laundry and packed up again.....then we made a long trip to La Grande this past weekend. We were so blessed to have made it back in time to see Kevin and spend some time with him. He is such a blessing to all of us and we really wanted him to know that! We were able to stay in La Grande for a few days. Monday night was our last night in town and we planned a special night just for Kevin. Since he will not be able to join us here in Medford for the Anthem graduation, we gave him his own graduation ceremony. Each of the students prepared something for Kevin.....a letter, song or just sharing with him some of their favorite memories with Kevin. I had the opportunity to share with Kevin how much I loved him and what he meant to me. This was one of the most incredible nights of my life. To hear from each of the students and leaders just how much Kevin meant to them and changed their life, that was a moment that changed my life. That night I said goodbye to Kevin and maybe even hugged him for the very last time. He is still holding on and we aren't sure what God is going to do, but we will keep praying and see what God has in store for Kevin.

Something that both Mary and Kevin have taught me is to live life for the Lord until my very last breath. Each of them have been such an amazing example of lives completely sold out to the Lord.....no matter what came at them, the still praised their Jesus. I do not want to take for granted the life God has given me. I want to be a light for him every second of every day, just like Mary and Kevin have both done. I am going to miss my friends very much but I am so comforted to know where they will be!

~Kim~