This week’s blog has been slow coming and has taken on an entirely new direction due to some unforeseen circumstances. My sister-in-law (and yes, she will always be that) passed to be with Jesus last Thursday morning after a brave battle with ALS. Debbie was a part of my life for more than half of it and we have always been good friends and believe it or not we actually grew much closer this year through what was really the hardest year of our lives for both of us.

You see after the shattering news of the divorce, she assured me I was still family. In many instances people say things like that, but Debbie meant it. There were many times I cried with her when I didn’t know what else to do. Then there came my diagnosis with MS and she stood by me we talked about how scary it was and how it made me feel. We didn’t know at that time only a few weeks later she would be diagnosed with a much worse autoimmune disease ALS. We cried together again and helped each other through appointments and tests. We constantly encouraged one another. We even found times to laugh during all of it. When it got too hard for her to talk, we would text. She never complained she was a trooper through it all. She was soooo brave!!!

She showed me how to handle scary times with dignity and faith. I will forever be grateful for that. Based upon our conversations recently there is no doubt she is pain free in the arms of Jesus right now. I ask your prayers for her family and all of the extended family as well.

Thanks everyone – will be back with the blog next week.