happiness for my heroine

Every once in awhile you hear a story of trial and triumph that mends your heart and renews your faith in God and in this crazy thing we call life.

Sometimes you are even privileged to know the person and have a front row seat to the drama as it unfolds.

A little background first.  When we first came to Federal Way a little over five years ago I joined a co-op for homeschoolers.  At the first session I recognized one of the moms.  Turns out she was a friend from high school.  We weren’t really close back then, but hung out at stake activities and girls camp and such.  Turns out that she had a child to match each of my older three. It was great to go places because the kids would all pair off. 

When I became pregnant with T.J., Sariah started demanding a ton of attention.  My friend was always there to scoop her up, give her a hug or help her with whatever project she was trying to do.  She forever has a special spot in Sariah’s heart as a result.  When T.J. came along and then Kaden, she would hold them and love them with such a tender grace.  Everyone in my family adores her.

So, the real story begins sept of 09.  She flew with a friend to have a vacation in New York.  While there she and her friend were hit by a taxi and she was hurt severely.  Can’t remember exactly what the injuries were, but there was something involving her pelvis and multiple surgeries and then plastic surgeries on her face.  She ended up having to stay in New York for over a month because she couldn’t sit long enough to make the flight back.

She finally came home and started her new life of P.T. and dr. apts.  She was amazing and never showed that she may be feeling anger or hurt.  She continued to home school her four children and do everything that was called of her.

Dec. came around and she was starting to heal very well, everyone was impressed.  Then her husband lost his job.  This added to the stress of her accident and injury was enough to do most people in.  She turned to the Lord and continued living her life with grace and strength. 

Jan. and the new year arrived and her husband moved out and informed her that he had been having an affair and didn’t want to be married anymore. He was moving in with the other woman.  Three heart wrenching, life changing events, in almost as many months.  How she woke up every day and showed the world a smile is beyond me.

This new change meant that she was single for the first time in 15 years, had to go back to work for the first time since marriage, and had to put her children back in school, three of which had never been in public school before.

I can not even begin to express how much I admired her as I cried for her, screamed for her, felt anger at her ex, pleaded with the Lord to please stay near her and bring her comfort.  Through it all, there was very little I could do for her besides listen.  I felt so helpless.  I would complain about Matt and with tenderness and a hand on the shoulder she would remind me that I had a good spouse, while others didn’t.  I would complain about home schooling and she would remind me what an amazing blessing it was that I had the opportunity to make that choice.   How could she be such a comfort to me in this time?  That is just who she is.

This past Jan. she met an amazing man and they were married in March.  It brings such joy to my heart to see her finally enjoy happiness.   To have a spouse that she knows she will have through eternity.  While life is still crazy for her and challenging with all the dynamics that come with blended families, she is still a pillar of strength and grace.  I admire her, I love her, I am so very happy for her!

In her first life I had Lori all to myself, selfishly speaking.  Her spouse was not around a lot, so there was always plenty of time for play dates and girl time.  Now that she is happily married we don’t see her as much and girl time includes the guys most often.  I would gladly trade it for double dates and dancing though.

I still tear up when I recall the events of the past two years that have engulfed her, caused her to grow, and strengthened her.   She is a dear friend whom I cherish and will always look up to.  She is a reminder that the Lord is always mindful of us and that his plans are better for us than our own.