I am without words today.
My friend Kim took the hand of Jesus and walked into eternity yesterday afternoon.
It was the saddest day of my life so far. Yet, I am forever thankful that God allowed me to be part of her life and her family.
Please pray for Mike and the kids, Jessica (12), Grace (7) and Matthew (4). Please lift up her mom Linda, her sisters Laura and MaryJo and her Brother David. They are so broken. Also Mike’s family (Mike Sr., Ebbie, Celie, Kaylan) who loved her dearly and will be so needed to fill in the gaps in the days ahead.
Kim’s mom wrote more last night on Kim’s CaringBridge site. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kimwhisenant
Oh, Renee. I am so sorry to hear about the death of your friend Kim. I, too, am grieving the death of my dearest girlfriend; and I would be honored to walk this journey with you.
Rejoicing in His treasured gift of friendship,
Bonnie
Tribute to a friend
http://nomadwife.blogspot.com/2009/08/tribute-to-friend.html
Renee,
I popped over today to check on your status with Aster! I am so excited for you. And I wanted to share the picture of Olivia with you that I just put on my blog. I knew it would make you smile to know that one day your sweet Aster will be 11, and she will have the joy that Olivia has. The joy of the Lord. Olivia has had a little problem with her eye, and the other day she said, "Mom, I was thinking "what would my eye look like if you hadn't adopted me and took me to the doctor?" Wow! Olivia knows how blessed she is to have a family, and that made me smile! Aster is blessed too!
Then I came to your blog and read of Kim. I went to her caring bridge site and I couldn't hold back tears for Mike and the kids. I know Kim is good! She is with my sweet Adrienne and Nick. They have a mommy there to comfort them and love them. I am praying for the family that is left here to create some sort of new normal. I have a Memory Box from Nick's foundation that I would love to send Mike if you want to email his address. It has a beautiful wind chime and several wonderful books on grief that have helped me so much.
I love you, Renee!
Have a good day.
Oh Renee. I'm so sorry you're hurting. I know the pain of this very well. Gene & I went to visit a friend with cancer this spring and just so happened to be the time God called her name. I'll never forget the beauty of watching a not even 40 yro single mom begin to live. Amazing Grace.
Will be praying for all of you.
love,
Lelia
Renee, My heart is breaking for you and for Kim's family. Praying, praying for you all..that our loving Father, the Comforter, will cover you with the Peach that surpasses all understanding.
oh Renee – words don't even begin to fill that gap that you are dealing with now, so I won't even try. Just know we are lifting you, and her family, up to Him.
Hi Renee…
You have been in my prayers and heavy on my heart this week. I am so sorry for your loss and I share your pain. I lost the sweetest friend to cancer last fall. She also left behind a three wonderful children, her youngest 3 months. I still miss her. I know in my head and my heart,too, that her leaving seemed too soon, but I try to focus on remembering I am not privvy to His "big picture" and I know that I trust Him, so…..somehow this is part of His plan. I have prayed for you and her family this week and today just felt the need to check in. You all will remain in my prayers as Christ leads me. Jill
Renee,
Our community is suffering a loss exactly like this. Same illness. Same young woman. Same set of children. It can be devastating. The oldest chose to go to school yesterday two hours after losing her mother. She wanted to be with friends. They let them hold each other and cry. Thank you for sharing, being diligent in your blog to share details and allow us to pray with and for you. You're incredibly special!
Renee, We are continuing to pray for you and for Kim's family. You are a true friend and Kim surely was closer to Jesus becasue she witnessed Him living in you.
My heart is heavy knowing the pain of this family and for you,her friends. May Jesus comfort you knowing this is not the end. B
Sweet friend, give yourself permission to cry, grieve and ask the tough questions. Your heavenly Father loves you and has very broad shoulders to cry on. He can handle it!
Your willingness to make the hard choices, do the hard things, and go to the very hard places will bring honor and glory to God.
Although Kim's final days were tough, she was able to see Jesus wrapped in flesh through your sweet physical presence.
I know that Kim's death is a huge loss for you and those who loved her deeply. I will commit to pray for each one of you and trust that God's peace, plan, and provision will reveal itself in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
Love you!
Leah
Dear Renee,
I am so sorry for your loss of your precious friend Kim! Keeping you, as well as Kim's beloved family, in prayer.
Love, Andrea
I am so sorry for your loss. Will keep Kim's entire family and beloved friends in prayer. Praying for peace and comfort for all.
Jennifer
Praying.
Renee, I've been keeping up with Kim's Caring Bridge site since you linked to it last week. What a sweet family.
Praying for the family. And you.
So, so sorry. Prayers are being lifted. Love you.
Oh Renee, I am truly just so sorry. I have been praying for her and her family. I just ache for her children. I will keep praying for her family and friends through this time of sadness.
Jenn
I am comforted that Kim is now completely healed but my heart aches for those babies who lost their mama and her husband. Praying for them and for you sweet friend.
Renee, it's okay to cry and feel sad the way you do. I know sometimes in an effort to provide comfort, sometimes we are advised not to cry or worry about it and so forth.
Well, it is okay to cry. It's okay to think about Kim. It's even okay to talk about her and the things you love about her.
smooches,
Larie
No words necessary, Renee. Close your eyes and imagine your wonderful, dear friend being held in the arms of Jesus. She has reached her ultimate goal.
I'll be lifting Kim's family and you up in prayer to give you strength to endure the days to come. Kim was very blessed to have you as a friend. I can only imagine the comfort she felt in knowing you would be here to love on her family.
Wish I could be there to give you a hug to honor Kim's memory.
I love the verse Jess wrote. Praying, sweet friend. Praying.
Love you,
K
I am so sorry, my friend. I know you will miss her. When my father passed away it brought me so much comfort to know I would see him…soon I hope.
Love,
Lynn
I'm saying a prayer for you and your family.
Renee,
I am so sorry for your loss!
I am sooo sorry. Just know that I am praying for all of you. Angela
I am praying for all of you. I hope that Kim gets a celebration of her life befitting the child of God she was and that it truly is a celebration. Even though it will be hard. My heart is breaking for you all!!!
When I lost my father-in-law in February, Andrew's teacher (Mrs. R.) sent me this verse and it stuck in my gut when the waves of grief poured over me:
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15)."
Praying for you – My heart is heavy today…and the boys…
Love,
Jess
My heart hurts for you and for Kim's family. Praying. Praying. Praying.
Deb
I'm so sorry, Renee. I have no words.
I'm sorry as well Renee. We will continue to pray for Kim's family, you and all those who are hurting. I pray God will comfort you and fill you with His peace that passes all understanding.
I'm so sorry, Renee. We're happy that she's no longer suffering but sad that she can't be a physical part of your lives anymore. Our Bible study group has been praying for you both.