Yesterday was one of those days...sadly, a day I have thought back on for five years with sorrow for how quickly my precious friend, Mrs. Betty Hadden, left. That year, that season, that sudden, grievous loss marked me deeply!
She was diagnosed with an acute form of cancer in August that rapidly snuffed out her life on that 16th day in October.
I was already numb to several griefs that had occurred that summer:
Mark's father's illness and passing on September 27th.
My dear mom's diagnosis of breast cancer, double mastectomy, and chemo treatments, not to mention the blood clot in her leg, and flooding ordeal just 3-4 weeks prior to Thanksgiving!!
But in all that, God proved Himself Faithful to provide for Meme's and Poppy's needs through our family, friends, and Uncle Wilbur's company who responded with tremendous help!
That was SUCH a blessing!!
There was also another family member's 'death-like' trial...there were sooo many tears and deep heart ache!!
We literally experienced the valley of the shadow of death that year.
[Before the year was over, we also lost two sweet pets, Cotton, Katherine's first bunny in November, and Tink'r Bell, our rescue kitty in December. ðŸ˜]
Mrs. Hadden's diagnosis and subsequent passing came about in a matter of a few short weeks.
I still experience longing for her presence and sweet fellowship.
She lived directly behind me, and ohh how easy it was to walk across the easement to enter one another's gates for tea and talk time. We shared lunches and dinners also.
What a godly, faithful encourager and blessing she was to me!
She loved me and my family soo generously, so oft, and always, so timely!
The LORD was compassionate to share her with me before and after Mr. Hadden's passing.
He was a dear man himself!!
Mrs. Hadden cared for her mother, Mrs. Carpenter, and her husband, Mr. Hadden, to the end of their lives in their home. There was no end to her sacrifice and love!
Short story: Shortly after John was born, Dad took the boys to church one evening, and while walking down some stairs with a book in his hands, he overstepped a stair, and twisted his ankle, which he later learned was fractured. Well, Dear Mr. Hadden learned about Mark's injured ankle, and he came over one hot July afternoon, in the middle of the day, to mow our lawn. He'd previously had multiple bypass open heart surgery, but he wanted to give his time and energy to us! When I met him out in the yard and attempted to discourage him from mowing our grass, he took his hearing aid out of his ear and said, "I can't hear you!", then proceeded to continue mowing the grass. I stood in the backyard and watched him in disbelief! He was such a friendly, fun-loving man. He loved us because he knew the love of Our Father in Heaven! Little did I know this story would be told at his funeral, and it still blesses me so that he loved us soo sweetly that day.
If today were only a memory of grief, I might have soon forgotten, but I haven't.
Some days more than others, I still feel the pain of Mrs. Hadden's absence.
Her life was one of strong faith, constant prayer, especially for her friends and family, quiet sacrifice, gracious giving, and selfless love. She was a loyal friend.
She taught me how to manage doing as many things as possible in a day. She carried around an old, small timer that slipped into her pocket to help her stay focused with the clock and list of duties for the day. That little timer irritated me at first, because I never wanted our time to end, and neither did she, but the more time I shared with her, the more I realized how necessary that timer was for helping her accomplish everything she enjoyed doing.
She was a very methodical and deliberate person. I loved that about her. She was very organized and disciplined in all she accomplished. I soo admired that she took time for herself. She worked during the week, so her time in the evenings and weekends had to be divided carefully so she could give to others in the way of writing emails, making, crafting a gift or handmade card, preparing a meal, going to lunch with a friend, watching Dancing with the Stars on Thursday evenings with her close friend, Nina, reading a book "behind" her daughter, Nancy or visa versa [where they'd read a book and write notes in margins, then share with one another], or as always, welcoming her grandson and other grandchildren over on Saturdays to spend several hours together.
I still aspire to be as gracious and kind, loving, and giving as Dear Mrs. Hadden.
She will always be the treasured gift of my heart during a season I needed her most.
She truly epitomized the phrase, "Backdoor Friends are BEST!"
I came across this song the other day which seemed to perfectly describe how I have felt on many occassions since that sad year. If I didn't know the LORD was sovereign in the giving and taking of precious people in my life, I could easily feel despairing discouragement.
But I can't linger there!!
Through discouraging times of loss, I know God is closer than a brother and friend.
He is worthy of my time and praise!!
Ohh, how I need Him to be my deepest heart's cry and longing!
Deepest Praise by TaRanda Greene
When Hallelujahs don’t come easy and heart of worships hard to find
Caught in a cold and lonely season, you feel your river has run dry
When prayers can’t seem to break the silence
You have no song that’s left to sing
But looking back you’ll see the reason once the winter turns to spring
-Chorus-
Maybe the deepest praise is born of darkest days, from a painful place a greater depth of grace
We come to know and trust the Lord in a way we never have before
The rocky road we’re on becomes the way to the deepest praise
When tragedy hits hard and unexpected
Oh we fall once more into familiar sin
Only there our frailty meets your mercy
We’re overcome with thankfulness
-Chorus-
Blessed are the poor spirit, blessed are the ones who mourn
Blessed are the truly desperate, who share the sufferings of the Lord
Blessed are the poor spirit, blessed are the ones who mourn
Blessed are the truly desperate, who taste the goodness of the Lord
Maybe the deepest praise is born of darkest days, from a painful place the greater depth of grace
We come to know and trust the Lord in a way we never have before
The rocky road we’re on becomes the way
Oh this rocky road we’re on becomes the way to the deepest praise
Oh...
