In Christ there are no goodbyes

3 short months ago Mrs. Sara Stevenson came into my life. She was such an amazing woman and her faith was stronger than you can imagine. You see, Mrs. Stevenson, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 10 years ago. This past year, I believe, it came back. She has a granddaughter named, Grace, that goes to Little Lambs Playschool. Over the summer, Mimi (as Grace calls her) needed someone to help her watch Grace during the days. Traci, the director at Little Lambs, asked me if I was interested. I immediately said "YES". 

I began watching Grace for 3 weeks during the month of August from 9-1 everyday. One of Graces favorite things to do was watch Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs while she had on her Snow White Costume that her Mimi had made for her last year for Halloween. I would be willing to bet we put that outfit on her 2 times a day! She even had to sleep in it at nap time! 

It was during watching Grace that Mimi showed me her amazing Faith. Not only through her words, but through her actions. She was so strong. 

I asked Mimi if Grace was going to continue to go to LLPS during the fall. She said "yes" and I asked her if it would help her out if I took Grace to and from school for her. (Mimi wasn't strong enough to drive.) I began to take her for Mimi.I loved being able to take Grace to school. She would talk to me from the time we got in the car, until we got out. It was hard to be in a bad mood when Grace was with me. She makes me laugh. She has such a witty personality. Very smart to only be 3. 

 Let me tell you something..that Grace LOVES her Mimi so much. I loved to watch her get out of the car and run up to Mimi with a huge smile on her face and give her a big hug. It was a highlight of my day. 

I'll never forget my last day working at Little Lambs and my last day to pick up Grace. It was a very emotional day. I picked up Grace from school already a little teary.  I went to the door to get her and Mimi handed me a card. I took the card to my car and began reading it. I began to cry even more! After school I got Grace in the car and was leaving the church. On this day Grace was very quiet, which was very unusual for her. I looked back at one point and Grace was crying. I asked her what was wrong and she said "Im going to miss you, Miss Katie." So of course, I began to cry. I told Grace that I was going to miss her just as much if not more. She was very quiet on the rest of the way home. When I got her out of the car I gave her a big hug and told her I loved her. I was walking her up to the door when Mimi came out. I gave Mimi a hug and we both lost it. 

Last week, Meg (who began to take Grace to and from school for me), called me last week and told me Mimi's cancer has spread to her back and uterus. She was taken in to the hospital last week. Was in and out of a coma. She started getting better by the end of the week. Courtney (one of Mimis daughters/Graces mom) told me she even watched the Auburn game. And when Auburn made a bad play you could see her heart rate spike on the monitor! On Friday, I heard she was suppose to be going home at some point this weekend...

Well, she did go home. Just not the home we all wish she were. I feel such saddness right now. The tears just keep coming. I know Mimi is in a better place. She is healed of her cancer. PRAISE GOD! Mimi taught me a lot of things this summer, but the biggest, is to always have FAITH. She had an UREAL faith. A faith that I will always strive to have.  

The song on my playlist called "Homesick" by Mercy Me really hits home to me right now. There is a lyric that particularly strikes me. "In Christ there are no goodbyes.. in Christ there are no ends..So Ill hold on to Jesus...thats all I have..To see you again..to see you again.."

To Mimi, I love you. I will always treasure the times that I spent with you and Grace over the summer. You taught me more this summer than you know. I have the card you gave me in a special place and will ALWAYS keep it. I miss you so much already! Until I see you again...