Tuesday, April 22, 2008

My Friend Rebecca


"When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee."
Karen Lynn Davidson, Hymn 293

My dear friend Rebecca passed away last Sun. morning. She was surrrounded by her family. It was peaceful. It was spiritual. I will miss her. I made this quilt for her last year as she began one of her very difficult rounds of chemotherapy. The people at church signed the quilt. In the center of the quilt I put this scripture:

"...for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left...and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88.
A couple of weeks ago when I went to visit Rebecca, I saw the quilt on her sofa. That made me happy.

Here she is last year at our church Halloween party. She looked great as a blonde. In all the years I knew Rebecca, I only knew her with very short hair or no hair at all because of her chemotherapy treatments. She battled ovarian cancer for 3 years.
Rebecca was one of the most spiritual women I have ever known. To know her, you would never even know she was sick. She always kept up a great attitude and always seemed so happy. She was beautiful inside and out.
Rebecca loved to dance. Here she is at Daughter #1's wedding reception last year dancing. See her there on the right? (Daughter #1 and my BabyBoy are dancing together on the left.)
Here she's dancing and dancing. She wasn't dancing with anyone in particular...just herself. It was a beautiful summer night on the dance floor covering the tennis court. The weather was perfect. The music was great. I'm so glad our photographer snapped these pictures with Rebecca in them. We will always treasure them.
And this is how I will always remember Rebecca...teaching the children. We worked together in the Primary (children) organization at my church. I snapped these pictures one Sunday morning. I don't remember why, but I'm so glad I did.


For the past 2 years Rebecca has been taking care of her little granddaughter Abbey. Now another granddaughter is on her way. Her daughter is expecting in about 8 weeks. I like to think that here on earth Rebecca took care of one granddaughter and there in heaven she's now taking care of the other granddaughter.
Rebecca will be greatly missed by many people...and especially by the children in our little Primary.

6 comments:

Lady Beekeeper said...

I'm sorry you lost your friend but more than that, I am happy for you that you had her as your friend. I think you netted out quite favorably.

Peace.

Thimbleanna said...

Oh Vivian. I'm so sorry about your friend. I can only think that there's a special place for those who have to suffer so and go before their time. Hugs to you.

Suzanne said...

I'm so glad you had this time on Earth....It nice you know you guys can be reunited. It looks like she did it right and enjoyed life, no matter what.

Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Rebecca has been a light to all of those who have come into contact with her. She will be greatly missed but her light will shine on. I am grateful for our families opportunity to know her. May our light so shine to the world.

Mark and Stefani McCune said...

Vivan, I am sorry for your loss. It's so comforting to know that she's up there in her healthy body with those she loves.

dee said...

Oh Vivian, what a loss. Your wonderful tribute to her and your private memories will provide some respite from the pain of loosing something so precious as a friendship like that.
I'm thinking of you and sending hugs. Beautiful scripture as well, thank you.