Waves Summer 2004 Newsletter

May, 2004

W.A.V.E.S. Newsletter

Summer Edition

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About WAVES

Embraced by the Light

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Acknowledgements

Ripples

by Rita Scott

This month’s "Ripples" article is dedicated to my friend Judy, who passed away from cancer on 3/18/04. It has now been a little over a month since she passed. I am at peace with her passing, but I guess in my thought process about her life I decided that I wanted to learn from her, not to sit in judgment, but to look at both the positive and negatives that happened in her life and to see what "ripple effect" they could have on me.

At the end of 1999, my friend Judy was diagnosed with lung cancer. She had been sick for a couple of months with what she thought was an upper respiratory infection. After several treatments of antibiotics and nothing working, the doctors were suspicious and did a lung biopsy. Her diagnosis was small cell lung cancer. Her oncologist told her she had about a year to live. Judy had never smoked and was an avid runner -- often running 8 to 10 miles a day -- and ate very healthy. Everyone was in shock that our "healthy" friend could get something so horrible.

Judy was a fighter, and she wasn't going to take cancer lying down. She tried every avenue she could with medical treatment and actually even took part in a research study that required her to enter a lottery, which by winning would allow her to take part in the study. She was so positive! Finally, her earthly body wore out and she went home to be with the Lord. Judy lived four years beyond her original prognosis.

I pray that I can be positive even when a situation seems hopeless.

For about the last 15 years of her life, Judy, her mother and brother were not on speaking terms. From what I understood, her mom and brother did not like her husband. Judy stood by her husband and basically told them that if they wanted her, then they would need to accept her husband as well. After that, they pretty much cut off communication with her. This hurt Judy to the core, but since Judy was a very strong person, she tried to let the pain roll off her back like water off a duck. I know that deep down inside, she wanted her mother and brother to love and accept her life as it was. They seemed to get along for a little while after Judy's son was born, but soon the old conflict returned and the bitterness with it. Even after Judy was diagnosed with cancer, the battle continued and everyone stayed their ground.

In my own life, I have conflicts with family members and I have been praying that God will break down the walls of hurt and shame with His wonderful unconditional love. Our time on this earth is so very short and I think that Judy would now want everyone to know that we should let our pride and ego go and love like there is no tomorrow.

Judy was very successful with the business her father had left her when he passed. I met her while she was a representative for a large petroleum company that she and I both worked for. Her major customer was Boeing in Seattle, and I often helped her with different customer service related issues.

She taught me about hard work, sacrifice, and good customer service. Now that I'm embarking on my own small business, I think how I wish she were still here so that I could get her help with business issues. One time I got a fortune cookie with the following fortune: "You never know the worth of a good thing until it's gone." This certainly rings true in regards to my friendship with Judy.

Judy was such a devoted wife and mother. She chose to love her husband without question and stood by his side. They were soul mates and loved each other from day one. The thought of her agonizing over having to leave her son and husband when she passed is troubling; it must've been so painful, yet in all her pictures towards the end of her earthly life she still has a huge smile. I never had children of my own, but I can't imagine the feeling a mother must have in her situation. I also think Judy will watch over her son HP and husband Ken all the days of their lives. That's just the kind of person she is.

I pray that in my life I will watch over all those entrusted to my care -- my cats, my nieces and nephews, my siblings, my parents, and my friends. I pray my legacy is of one who loved unconditionally.

Even before I read Embraced by the Light, I felt in my spirit that this life was our school and a place to learn. Let's try to learn from each other’s positives and negatives and to spread God's unconditional love.

May our ripples be a shining example of God's love and light.