Yesterday at 4:29 PM our sister-in-law Heather lost her battle with Cancer. It was a really bittersweet experience for all of us. For the past two weeks she has been on hospice care and has has been in really bad shape. Jennifer and I missed being there by five minutes but Heather was surrounded by many loved ones. I was initially upset that we missed out on being there but then I remembered that Jennifer and I were able to be there Sunday night Friday night and many other nights in the past month.
As I said before this was a really bittersweet experience. Heather was loved by so many people because of her contagious smile and her shy and loving personality. It was hard to be mad at her or to be mad around her. She always lifted people up. Last night her Father was telling me that Heather never complained. The nurses at the Chemo facility loved her because she was always smiling and happy. They don't see that a lot. She was an amazing woman in that way. It is hard to let a person like her go. On the other hand it was even more difficult to see her in so much pain. Seeing her yesterday at peace after her passing was so comforting to us all. We know she is no longer in pain and it is also nice to know that she is no longer struggling to stay alive. For the first time in almost three years she is comfortable and her worries of her sick and ailing body are over. We are all so happy she can finally rest.
I later asked Jennifer if she thought there was anything else we could have done to keep her alive? Could we have beaten this cancer? Was there another treatment? Did we exhaust all avenues of treatment and therapy? Jennifer and I both feel there was nothing else that could have been done. This made me so proud of Heather. She was a fighter and she wasn't going to just roll over and let this cancer take her without hoping for her cure. She did everything in her power to become a cancer survivor.
God received a very special person yesterday. I know Heather is still alive. I know her spirit has gone home and she is being greeted by her family that has passed before her and also our Father in Heaven who created her. Heather was one of the more righteous of all of God's children on this planet. She was Christlike. I know God has a very special place for her in Heaven. I believe sometimes God takes the best of his children because there is a lot of important work to be done in Heaven. Heather will be a great soldier for Him as one His Angels.
I love my sister. I felt weird calling her my sister-in-law earlier in this post. Heather has become my sister and I will miss her greatly. I can't wait to see her again.
Funeral services will be held this Saturday September 5, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Fairmont Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Church address is:
441 S. Fairmont Blvd.
Anaheim CA 92808
11 comments:
what a beautiful post. i only met heather a few times but you are right, she was a beautiful person inside and out. i would always hear updates about heather and her courage and determination to beat this disease was always an insparation to me. our prayers our with your families at this time.
This seems like something so bitterwseet. Reading your post, it's a refreshing reminder that our loved ones are taken care of after they pass, and that we will see them again. Thanks for sharing this with us. Let us know if there's anything we can do. We have nothing but love for your family.
prayers for her family.
Well said. Your family is in my prayers. It is reassuring to know that she is happy and healthy now, but I know she is missed. We love you guys.
Hey Mike, not sure if you remember me, i was one of kellys good friends way back in the day... i was saddened to hear the news of Heather. Whenever I was visiting my parents(Kalines) in there ward, I always saw heather in Relief Society with a smile. Though this is sad news, I am glad that she is no longer in pain and with our Heavenly Father. Your family is in our prayers.
Our deepest condolences. It is tough to look for the reasons in situations such as this but the Gospel gives us that greater understanding that we'll be together again. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jonathan & Jillian
You and your family are in our prayers. Very well put Mike. Please send my best to your amazing family.
Our prayers and thoughts are with your family right now. I'm really sorry for your loss-as Heather seemed to be a really special woman.
Love you and have been thinking about you all, we'll be there on Saturday. Thank you for always keeping me posted on her progress. Wish I knew her better but glad to know she's surrounded by beauty.
Bonnie and Vince said...
What a beautiful remembrance, Michael, of your sister-in-law (I like to say "sister-in-love") and loved one. Our prayers and love go with you, Scott and those two beautiful little ones who will definitely miss their mommy, as will Scott miss a wonderful wife. May the Lord comfort you all and hold you close to His heart. We love you...
Hi, I'm Melody Chapman. I was one of Heather's roommates at BYU. We lived in The Elms together for 6 months or so. Jean has been keeping me posted and I was so sad to hear Heather had had passed. I'll never forget that smile of hers and her positive attitude! I loved your blog about her. It really was beautiful and captured her essence.
I also wanted to know if there was a fund set up for her or her family that people could contribute to? If not, I would like to make a donation in her honor to the Am. Cancer Assoc. Best wishes to you and your family. -Melody (mdchapma2004@yahoo.com)
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