We Prayed...Every Day we Prayed

We prayed for a different diagnosis.  We prayed for successful treatment.  We prayed for relief from pain and side effects of  treatments.  We prayed prayers of praise when treatments seem to be working.  We prayed laments when good results did not last.  We prayed for admittance to clinical trials.  We prayed...every day we prayed, sometimes multiple times a day.  We prayed for a miracle.  When it seemed obvious that healing, at least in this realm, was not to be, we prayed for a peaceful passing not marred by fear of any kind.  Perhaps, death is the miracle for those who have suffered so valiantly. Perhaps, it is the miracle for us all.  The last grand adventure. We don't know. We just know we prayed.

She fought with grace and determination, exuding joy beyond the comprehension of most of us.  She fought for her family for her friends for herself.  She fought hard.  She loved life.  She was a bright light, and we are better for having walked in that light. Even as her body deteriorated, her spirit glowed.  The world is better for her having lived in it.  What more can we ask?

Now we pray...every day we pray for her husband, her children, her grandchildren and others who walked closely by her through her life's journey. They are grieving.  They are in pain.  Her grandchildren are young.  They may not remember her, but we are confident that they will know and love her from the pictures and stories they will be told throughout their lives.

There are those who would say our prayers are foolish, but she would not have.  She solicited our prayers on her behalf, and we honor her by praying for those she loved.

So, we pray. We do not pray in the past tense. Still we pray, regardless of our disappointment in the answers.  Every day we pray.  We pray in joy and in pain, in plenty and in want.  We beg and plead, we cry out in praise that cannot be contained. We pray...and we weep...and we remember.