My Friend Lana

Even though the skies are powder blue with fluffy clouds, today the Kansas winds are howling.  Snow is in the forecast for Sunday through next week.  I've been wanting some snow, but now I hope it is light when it arrives.

Yesterday, I wrote a Bucket List.  Not to be funny, but to think about writing down things I would like to do before I die.  Lord willing I will be able to do some of these things.

I didn't have a clue that in a few hours after typing this list that my husband would be telling me that he has developed early onset adult diabetes type 2.  I was standing on the porch as he told me and I could feel the stunned expression on my face.  Feel it.  My facial muscles froze in a horrified state.  A A1C blood test confirmed it after having his yearly physical.

For now, he will work at losing weight, diet, exercise and visit with a dietician for his treatment.  No insulin shots for the time being.  Stunned.  After this soaks in, I'll let you know how we are doing with eating better meals and healthier snacks.

Today, I found out that a dear friend of mine lost her battle with Cancer on Tuesday.  I had no idea as I wrote my bucket list out that she had already passed into eternity to live in heaven.  Lana and I became friends when we were both young mommas living in Liberal, Kansas.  We both were married with 3 children at the time, attended the same church, were good 'ole methodist gals that were members of the local united methodist women and attended the same sewing group.  We attended Coffees together, sewed together, chatted together.

~Lana with Husband~

~Lana with her Grandchildren~

Man 'o man, this woman could quilt.  I never saw anybody sew their little boys clothing so fast in all my life.  She was a DOMESTIC DIVA.  The houses she lived in were always decorated so nicely.  A warm place to raise a family.  She was very modest and did not brag about her skills or talents.  I can hear her laughter now.

We grew up about a block away from one another, but didn't know one another.  She was two years older than I, so I didn't know her while attending the same Grade School, Junior High, High School and Church.  When she was in College, my husband (not my husband at the time) would visit with her.  Her boyfriend didn't like this so he would approach my husband and let him know that Lana was his and she was taken!  Hubby told him they were just friends.  Odd...I didn't know her then.  Isn't it something...it is like God saved her as a treasure for me in a friend after we were married and had children of our own before we got to know one another!   In fact her mom babysat the same two girls my mom babysat for.  All of this going on while we lived about a block away from one another.

I was stunned to find out that she lost her battle with cancer.  Last I knew she was trying a new experimental medicine and her doctor was pleased with how things were going.

We had lost touch with one another over the years, but befriended one another almost two years ago.  She had shared that their house was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.  A box of pictures and a couple of antiques were all that remained.  When I found this out, I thought of all the cross stitch projects she had displayed in her home that were destroyed by fire.  The quilts gone. The heirlooms gone.

The legacy she left behind of being a born again Christian is what her children know.  This part of life is what death cannot destroy.

I am stunned and saddened today by her death.  I know that once again we will visit in heaven as Jesus is also my personal savior.

God gives each one of us natural talents and abilities to use in life.  God is good.  What a waste to not know what your talents are!  You can find out by visiting with God and asking Him what they are if ya don't know.   What a horrible time in life if you are beat down by past hurts and self hatred.  God can and will deliver you if this is something you struggle with.  You may not FEEL like you are succeeding at life and maybe you aren't.  BUT GOD CAN HELP EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF US.  I know my family members have heard me at times be so irritated and upset with past actions of others that hurt me to the bone.  Excuse me...if nothing else know that I am Human in need of healing myself.  A work in progress.

I am not a robot on automatic pilot.  I am human.  If others expect me to behave like a perfect human...it's not gonna happen.  I am being perfected...in Christ as I live a life on earth.  And as long as I have breath...I will need God's help with everything.  Even as a grown lady with Grandchildren!

Miss you Lana, but know your life sure has touched a lot of people.  We are better people because God allowed us to know you.
~Deanna~

She leaves behind a husband she was married to for 36 years, 3 grown married sons, daughter-in-laws she loved like daughters, and 5 Grandchildren.