A Soldier with Red Hair

I didn't know if I could write about her. My heart was heavy. And then I realized people are acknowledging those soldiers who fought and died in wars and I thought of her and realized. . .I had to write.

She was a petite little thing who walked into my ABF class years ago and sat down next to her husband. They were the new ones in class. She sat with her head down, her pretty red hair covering her face. I didn't know what to think of her. And then she raised her head and looked at me and smiled and suddenly I thought. . .I want to know her.

Over the years we became friends. She was not a strong woman and her eyesight was not the greatest. She would always hold onto my arm or hold my hand when we would go down stairs or up or down a hill. She loved her family, she loved decorating, she loved animals. We saw Sandi Patti in concert together, we made many trips to Hobby Lobby together, we went to children's baseball games. We went to tea rooms and acted like ladies while we drank our tea. We laughed and we prayed. She was little and petite and not very strong physically but she was my mighty prayer warrior and I knew I could always count on her.

And then the diagnosis came. MD, short for muscular dystrophy. By this time I had moved 700 miles away but we kept up with phone calls. Over time the phone calls became less and less. I could not understand her much anymore over the phone. She became weaker and weaker and ended up in a wheelchair but she did not let that stop her from going to see her son run in races. She did not let that stop her from seeing her son's first home away from home. She did so much despite the frailty because she was a fighter. She was in a war with this terrible disease and she fought with a smile on her face. The war ended a couple of days ago and the wheelchair has been retired. She won. She is dancing in Heaven now with a new body and I'm sure smiling bigger than ever because she is with her Lord who she loved so much. She is free from the disease and disabilities.

I didn't see it coming. I felt bad these last couple of days that I had not spoken to her in awhile. But she was always in my prayers. I became a warrior for her. I know her well. She would say, "It's ok Kris, you wouldn't have understood me but I know I'm in your heart." She would tell me she loved me.

Yes Tami, you have been in my heart from that first day you walked into the ABF class. You were in my heart when you took my arm and when you came to visit me in my new home 700 miles away. You wanted us to have matching pj's and so we went out and got them. You loved me so that you always sat with me in our big chair. I loved that about you. Two grown women sitting in the same chair, because that's just what special friends do.

 

You were in my heart when you wanted to ride the ride down the hill but you didn't have the strength to push your cart and your wonderful husband pushed for you. You were in my heart every time you couldn't bear the thought of animals being hurt, even to the point of walking out of movies even though you knew it wasn't real. That's just how tender your heart was. I loved it.

You were a soldier and you fought the good fight. You are free indeed. As we remember our soldiers this week-end who have gone on, I will be remembering you, my sweet red headed friend.

I love you Tami~

 

Dear readers,

Would you please say a prayer for her husband Allen and their two sons Ethan and Tyler?

Thank you!