If you saw her in a crowd, she would probably be smiling. If you saw her at church, you would see her praying. If you saw her with her family, you would see her happy. She wasn't a saint, as none of us are on this earth, but she was a loving sister, a devoted wife, a caring step-mother, a constant friend. Connie was my sister-in-law, and today I dedicate this entry to her. As she lives in the presence of God in His heavenly kingdom, I give thanks for having known her and being witness to her steadfast love for our God no matter what circumstances she was given.
Today, I want you to think of Connie, a woman who was not only trying to win the fight against colon cancer, but she was a faithful servant who never gave up on her God and was selfless in her actions and words. She may have lost her physical body in this life, but I have no doubt that she is soaring in her spiritual body in heaven. She wasn't a saint or president of any group that I'm aware of, but she was a PSR teacher, a devout attendee in adoration to our Lord, a prayer partner, one of the most faithful people I've met, a loving wife to her beloved Gerry, a generous, caring aunt to my children and so many other nieces and nephews. She never expected any thanks in return, but she was always a watchful eye over our children. She was a tender-hearted individual who always thought of the cross others had to bear versus her own struggle. I was witness to someone who accepted what God's plan was for her, and she never gave up the fight for her life. Until the end of her earthly journey, she thought of everyone else but herself.
There's no doubt she may have said a cross a word or two, but haven't we all at some time or other? If I had to look back on my life, I know I would have had a list of sinful thoughts, actions or words. I ask forgiveness everyday to my God as I know she did, too. I think if we recognize our own faults, ask for God's forgiveness and try to make a difference, then isn't that perhaps our purpose.......making a difference? Connie would not want me to portray her as a saint, but if I had to name a person who was an example of a true, devout Catholic, it would be her. I am nowhere near there, but I am purposeful, I do look beyond myself as did she. I give thanks to God for her presence not only in my life and my children's lives, but in my husband's life because he is a loving husband, a caring father and a man of God. His choices in life are partly due to his sister's influence. She was someone who took care of Marty when he was young and read to him while his mother went to work. Perhaps his tender heart is a direct result of who she was.....why not? Aren't we a link to our past? While some may curse their families and the experiences they had; others welcome them all, because they help shape the people we have become.
During her final week on this earth, I expressed my concerns for her and even then her response was, "Barbie, we all have to travel this journey, and it's my turn. All I can think about is your Chrissy and how young she was, and her Frankie and Maria. How hard that must have been for her." Connie was only 60 years young herself. God bless her for that comment, but that's who she was.
We should ask ourselves many questions when a dear one dies; it's a part of the journey. Some questions may never get answered, but perhaps the most important question we should ask of ourselves is this: "Have we done enough?" For some, that question may go right over their heads because they'll just never get there and for the rest of us, we keep on trying, learning and hopefully giving. Cheers to you my dear Connie......you were someone who made a difference.
