In Loving Memory

It doesn’t make sense why a 25-year-old had to die of cancer. She had her whole life ahead of her, but it was stolen. My beautiful, courageous, brilliant, loving, cousin Tia passed away on October 4^th this year. The doctors overestimated the time she had left. I personally think she didn’t want to make it to the holidays. She told me they weren’t her favorite.

I don’t understand why some people get miracles on earth and others don’t. We prayed so much that God would heal her in this life, but instead, she gets her miracle in the next. I truly believe that she is in Heaven because of her faith in Jesus. She had peace about dying. She was done suffering in this life. She was battling leukemia for too long with no hope for it to end. When the doctors told her there was nothing more they could do, she was brave. 

Tia would amaze me with her knowledge of everything that was going on with her body. She understood the medical terminology and explained it so lovingly to me. I am grateful for our connection. I’d grown up with Tia, but we didn’t establish a friendship until we were both older. She was a wonderful listener and encourager. I’d share my heartache with her, and she’d always lovingly support me. She’d share her truths with me, and I am thankful I got to be someone she could be real with. It was a privilege to love her in this life. She was truly a remarkable person. 

Tia, I told you when I saw you on September 25^th, that I didn’t want to live this life without you in it. I hate that I won’t ever get a response from the snaps I sent you or get text messages from you anymore. You cared so much about my well-being. You wanted me to be happy. I love that even when you knew you were dying, you were cracking jokes and worried about me. I love you so much. Heaven is so lucky to have you. I can’t wait to see you again in your glorious new body that is cancer free. Give all our loved ones big squeezes and kisses for me. 

The Bible says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy” and that’s what cancer did. It was Satan’s way of stealing Tia’s life and killing her. The hope that we can hold on to is Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Even though it was not the miracle we wanted, Tia is experiencing new life to the fullest in Heaven. She has no more pain, there are no more tears, and she is reunited with everyone who has gone to Heaven before her.

I don’t blame God for this. I know it is in His will that all come to him. It doesn’t matter how you’ve spent your life. The only thing that matters is that in the hour of your death, you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved. God is so merciful and loving that all he wants is for his children to call out to him. The only way is Jesus. It doesn’t need to be complicated with religion. It’s a relationship with God through Jesus. Jesus conquered death. He died so that we might live, but not just in this life on earth. He died so that we could be reunited with God in Heaven.

You might be thinking if God is so loving why would He let something so terrible happen? The truth is that this life is not perfect. It has evil in it which is the absence of God. The only way we can freely choose God is if there are other options. Faith is a choice. We have free will and that means there is death, sickness, pain, and evil. As a believer in Jesus, I know that “in this world, I will have trouble.” I can have hope though because Jesus says, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 If you don’t have this hope or you’re angry with God because you think the circumstances of your life are not fair, please reach out to me. Leave a comment or send a private FB message. God loves you. He doesn’t want you to suffer through this alone.

Tia was not alone. She was covered in prayer and so dearly loved by her family and friends. I’m grateful for her life. I miss her like crazy already, but I know she is in a much better place.

I love you, Tia… see you later.