My cousin Cheryl passed away today. She had been battling the residue affects of radiation from cancer therapy. She fought hard for a long time and held on probably more than most could. This is the part of life that seems so hard but I know there are lessons for everyone involved in this seemingly unkind process. Lessons that might not make sense now, but will reveal themselves later. Simply, I believe it contributes to our soul growth.
While I was in the market today, my other cousin Karen called me and let me know she was close. With cell phones you can be in the risotto and pasta aisle and talk about the fact that a loved one is close to passing. How weird it that? Or pathetically convenient.
Then I got THE phone call tonight at 6pm. Karen and I talked for a while. We both rejoiced because we think the same about life and death. Cheryl is free of her broken down body and is having the reunion that we both look forward to. The one with all of our loved ones who have passed. Karen has been the link to Cheryl's progress or lack of and I told her tonight she was one incredible woman. She flew back to Cheryl's home to help her on many occasions, something I have not done ~ Karen's heart is huge.
Because Cheryl lived in the mid-west, I didn't see her much, but had special though infrequent contact with her throughout my adult life. She called me on the Saturday after Pierre died. My friend Lori was screening my phone calls but Lori told me I needed to talk to Cheryl. I got on the phone with her and she said that she had to tell me something. She was ironing and a voice came to her that said "Diana, ride the horse". She had to tell me but didn't know what it meant. So, she asked me and I told her "It means that I have had a horrible fall and I need to get back on my horse. I think it also means that I need to train Ali'i". I will never forget that. Such a simple message and so huge in meaning in my life.
God Bless you Cheryl. Come visit me. Love cousin Diana.
