Missing my friend

Two weeks ago Thursday, I sat down to work on my blog, my outlet, my avenue to be creative and write. I had just logged onto the computer when I got THE phone call. Let me back up.

In June before I entered the 7th grade (I'm pretty sure it was this year), I went with our youth group to New Life Ranch in Colcord, Oklahoma. It was a beautiful place. I was thrilled to be there, but I was very homesick. You see I was a big homebody who need to have her mama near her. (somethings never change - ha!) Anyway by what what I've decided was nothing short of God's grace, the chaperone with our room was Nadyne Swaffer our youth secretary. She was fabulous and exactly what I needed. Bless her heart! She put up with me and tons of teenagers for several years as we went to camp and on mission trips. She was always so sweet and had a kind word.

Fast forward a few years and Nadyne and I kept the baby room on Wednesday nights during choir. We had a great time visiting with each other and taking care of the tiny angels at church.

A few years later, Nadyne became the receptionist at our church. As Bro. Jim said, she was the voice of our church as she answered the phones and took care of everyone. In November 2009, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. I don't think I'll ever forget the moment the call came from her husband Mr. Jim that the tests didn't look good. I remember Cherie and I looking at each other and the tears beginning. A week or two later, she took a leave of absence from work. She'd come in a couple of times a week to take care of a few things and answer questions. My mama and our friend DeAnn had been filling in for her.

The discussion had begun as to when Nadyne would be up for coming back to work. She filled in one Friday. There she was back at her desk. Then on April 8th, Nadyne lost her battle with cancer. I guess she really didn't lose it. In our eyes and our hearts, she did. In reality, she overcame it all when Jesus called her home. He really gave her a special gift. He gave her her voice back, gave her her health and reunited her with a baby she had lost years ago.

Through all of this, I have been reminded just how short our time on earth really is. I miss her so much. She was my friend and my co-worker; yet she was a huge part of my life. I think Ellie said it best. When asked in Sunday School about Jesus' resurrection, she said that Jesus rose from the dead after 3 days and that He was in heaven and Nadyne was there too waiting for us.

DeAnn found the following poem in Nadyne's desk last week when she cleaned it out.

Miss Me - But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
Remember I have no more pain, and
The Master I will see.

Miss me a little - but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me - but let me go.

For this a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me - but let me go.


Thanks for letting me share.