A year ago today I said goodbye to a special women and dear friend Eileen Spillett. In recent days I've thought a lot about her. We started out in a family group together because of our geographical locations but I can see that God brought us together for so much more. You always gave 150% to see your girls succeed in school. In the early years I thought you were crazy at how much you gave and gave. Now as I'm in those same years of school with my son I finally get it. You shared some of your deepest struggles with me and the level of trust you had is still so admirable. Eileen you walked through cancer a fighter. You researched and sought out different treatments and wouldn't accept no for an answer. When you had to go for chemo you asked me to go wig shopping with you. You never knew how important that was to me. You were never afraid to ask for help, for meals, for pray. I will never forget the night our family group got together and you shaved all the men's head. As you came to family group and threw off your wig I knew there was a level of trust and intimacy that we so rarely experience and for that I say thanks. I'm sorry I wasn't brave enough to come visit you more in the hospital. I've always been so horrible at saying goodbye but now I see that I was so wrong. You blessed us when you were alive and blessed us through your death. Your memorial fund allowed us to come and spend this year here in Bolivia. I must confess I still struggle with this idea, that I'm here because you are not but I am comforted in the knowledge of the depth of your love for me and my family. I look forward some day to seeing you again and sharing all that God did in this year in Bolivia. So if I haven't said it clearly enough thank you for your friendship, thank you for your wisdom, thank you for your trust and vulnerability, thank you for your blessing and thank you for you love.
Love Norma
A beautiful remembrance, Norma...Thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteNorma, I would also like to thank Eileen for her example to you, because in turn you and your family are here in Bolivia being real with me and my family during a very rough but worthwhile year!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eileen and I also look forward to meeting you in heaven one day as well, I'll get Norma to point you out to me.
Praying for you.
Carin
What a wonderful tribute, Norma - Eileen would be so happy to be a part of your mission. What a testament to her character that she is so actively remembered 1 year later. I haven't had the desire to remove her from my contact list yet, but after reading your blog, i feel ready - i'm reminded that we'll get the opportunity to catch up one day. I'm sure she'll be at the gate waiting to greet us all - ready to hear about where God took us in our lives, and to cheer us in our choices. Can't wait - I've got lots to tell her!!!! Blessings Whittles.
ReplyDeleteI'm clearly behind on the blog reading since I just read this for the first time. Thank you for posting your thoughts. She is often in mine as well. I know she's already looking forwards to hearing the stories you have to tell.
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