The Five Minute Friday word for this week is More.

And so, I set my timer and begin.

My mother-in-law passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017,  after battling cancer for eight months.  She put on a brave face as she endured chemo and radiation, only to find that she was not able to tolerate chemo after all.  Thus, it was discontinued in October of 2016.

We had a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas with her, and shortly after the new year, we visited with her before she started to go downhill.  Leaving the cancer untreated only allowed it to travel to other areas in her body, ultimately consuming her.

Her body weakened, and we were told to prepare for the worst.  I’ll never forget her turning to us during one of her many hospital visits and saying, “I thought I had more time.”  

When my oldest daughter visited with her alone in her hospital room, she begged her to pray.  My daughter assured her that she would, as my mother-in-law told her she was not ready to go yet.

She fought hard and did not give up easily, as she wanted to be here for the birth of her great grandson.  And God allowed this, as he was born in late March.  She held him, although in a very frail state at that point.  They placed him on her lap, and he stretched out across her in her hospital bed.

We were not ready to let her go this week.  We wanted more time with her.  One more day … one more warm embrace … one more “I love you” … Not in the shape she was in, though, but when she was well and whole.  We realize that while she may be gone from our sight right now, she is dancing with Jesus in Heaven right along with her loved ones that went on before her.  No more cancer and no more pain, as she was given a new body in Christ.

While there won’t be any more time granted to us this side of Heaven, we will treasure the time God did allow us to have with her.  And, we will hug those around us a little tighter, love deeper, and carry her memory with us always.

Her final wish was to have her family reunited.  There was a great division in the family for years, and it worried her so.  Finally, she can rest in peace knowing we’re trying to honor her wish.  That is the only good thing to come from this situation.