Saturday, July 4, 2009

Independence Day

We had a great time celebrating America's birthday today! Anson and Ella loved eating dinner outside and shooting off a few fireworks in the broad daylight - it didn't matter to them! But as we were wrapping up our outside activities, I got a call from my sister Aly. I had been expecting this call for a couple days now and it finally came. My Aunt Becky, who we just visited in Maine, has gone home to be with the Lord. Today was HER Independence Day. A little over a year ago she had major surgery for colon cancer that the doctors were reluctant to do because of the failing condition of her liver. Amazingly, she came throught the surgery and God gave her one more year with us. When we were in Maine, she received the news from her doctors that she was now experiencing kidney failure. Dialysis was not an option. We were blessed to have a nice visit with her in some of her last "good" days. She was able to see Anson and Ella and we discovered that our baby #3 is due on her birthday, January 3oth! But tonight at 6:15 she left this world, surrounded by her family, and is now surrounded by the angels rejoicing in Heaven!
When I told Anson the news (and he remembers just meeting her) he said, "But It's OK because she's with Jesus now, right?" What a kid.
Becky was married to my Mom's brother David. Together they served the Lord in Ecuador for the better part of the 70's and 80's with Wycliffe Bible Translators. And for the past year my Uncle Dave has been her sole caretaker. I know he is exhausted but God has given him strength - he would do anything for her. Please keep the family in your prayers.

2 comments:

Brittany @ The Rollins World said...

We're sorry to hear about your aunt but are rejoicing with you that she is walking with Jesus in Heaven now. And how wonderful it is that Anson already knows that death is not a completely sad thing!

TheHarriman Family said...

Hi Arin! Sorry to hear about your Aunt. That is wonderful that you got to see her one last time. Wasn't she the one that introduced Aly and her husband?