The fellowship of suffering

I am saddened, today, by the death of a young woman I never met, whose family I have never met.  In fact, I know only one of her friends, Miriam, in Indianapolis.

Katy Reel was diagnosed last spring with a rare form of brain cancer, one that sends out tendrils through the brain.  The first surgery was more successful than they had dared to hope, but they knew they would not be able to get all of it.  So, of course, radiation and chemotherapy followed.

The blog I have linked to tells the saga in a series of posts over the intervening months.  Between the posts and the comments, many people around the globe have contributed to the greatest, most profound fellowship of suffering in which I have ever personally participated.  I have witnessed it from the side, but this was something else.  Such fellowship can happen, to the extent that it occurred in this case, only within the circle of faith in a God Who loves us all more than life itself (that's no mere cliche'; He proved it on the cross!). 

Katy continued to have some symptoms, over the months, and dizziness (if my memory is correct) sent her back for more tests just a few weeks ago.  Yes, the cancer had spread its tendrils, and it had also become more aggressive.  Surgery was performed and chemotherapy had just begun, when Katy developed bacterial meningitis.  Her poor brain had had enough, and she died during the night.

My life has been richer for the honor of being allowed to take part, even from a distance, in Katy's saga of the past 9 months.  Today, all of heaven is richer, because Katy Reel is at home.

Her family and dear friends, of course, are still earth-bound and grieving.  My heart is with them; my prayers continue that God will wrap them in His strong arms, hold them up and comfort them.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.  Your rod and Your staff comfort me."  Psalm 23:4

UPDATE:  I meant to include this poem, which I have previously had as a song:

The Other Side

This isn't death, it's glory! / It isn't dark, it's light. It isn't stumbling, groping, / Or even faith, it's sight! This isn't grief, it's having / My last tear wiped away. It's sunrise, it's the morning / Of my eternal day! This isn't even praying, / It's speaking face to face. It's listening, and it's glimpsing / The wonders of His Grace. This is the end of pleading / For strength to bear my pain. Not even pain's dark memory / Will ever live again. How did I bear the earth life / Before I came up higher, Before my soul was granted / It's every deep desire. Before I knew this rapture / Of meeting face to face That One who sought and saved me, / And kept me by His Grace!                                                            (c)  Martha Snell Nicholson