Superhero

“I’ve gone to prepare a place for each of you so that we’ll be together forever." ~ John 14:2-3

Sadness filled her eyes; their emerald green too glossy.  Nancy’s voice trailed off like words unwilling to take flight.  “Cancer,” she muttered to her daughter Aspen.  “But I’m gonna fight this like the third elephant on the ramp to Noah’s ark.”

And she did … everything her doctors suggested: chemotherapy, double mastectomy, and radiation.  When it went into remission, Aspen believed the nightmare was over.

But 2 years later the cancer returned, having metastasized throughout her lymph nodes, bones, and later on to her liver.

It seemed an impossible fight, but Nancy fought harder than Aspen thought possible, meticulously researching cancer at a cellular level.  She changed her diet dramatically, going from a 'meat and potatoes' diet full of processed foods and sugar to a predominately vegan and organic diet.

She exercised with a personal trainer, becoming fit and physically strong for the first time in her adult life.  She even took up painting to help relax and relieve anxiety.  Nancy did everything she could medically, holistically, mentally, spiritually and physically to stay alive.

It was around this time that Aspen began to realize that Nancy was so much more than 'just' her Mom.  She was a Superhero – an extraordinarily brave, smart, tenacious person who wanted nothing more than to be with her family and friends as long as she could.  No one could ever inspire Aspen the way her Mom did. She wanted to live so badly; staring down death and saying, "Not yet."

The oncologist’s words would eventually splinter inside Nancy causing more pain than the cancer.  Terminal.  Hospice.  Comfort care only.  No more autumn walks in t he park or birthdays at the bowling alley.  She wouldn’t see Aspen graduate.

After acknowledging she couldn’t win the battle, Nancy showed no fear.  Her affairs were in order, her husband and children were as provided for as they could ever be (Nancy arranged an army of friends committed to raising them like loving aunts).

Nancy believed in life everlasting; one more glorious than an earthly one and that her family will join her there too someday.  She accepted that the Lord called her home before she was ready and never raged at God or asked “Why me?”  She simply adored all the beloved people who’d graced her life, and kept telling them until her voice was gone.

Aspen spoke.  "Mom, you taught me so much about living, but now you’re showing me how to die."  Nancy squeezed her hand and, amazingly, Nancy smiled broadly.  As joy filled the hospital room, no one noticed that her vital signs were dropping quickly.

Within seconds, Nancy was gone, ushered into heaven, ready to meet her Almighty Father and grateful for a life well earned.

“It's your world now, my race is run.  I'm moving on, like the setting sun.  No sad goodbyes, no tears allowed.   You'll be alright, it's your world now!” ~ Glen Frey (singer, songwriter for the Eagles, 2007)