Linda posted a condolence
Thursday, January 2, 2020
I am writing on the Guestbook today to honor the memory of my Bestie as it is New Year's Day 2020. Denise's most prized lamp is on the table to the left of me and each time I turn it on, I think of how she appreciated it's brilliance. Now I share the appreciation. Denise and I became acquainted in Troy High but we didn't become lifelong besties until after she married and gave birth to her beautiful baby girl Caren. Her amazing daughter was definitely the apple of her eye and resembled her very much. Caren was the center of her life and her pride and joy! Denise's joy was complete when she welcomed her baby girl into this world and when Caren married and blessed with her two grandchildren ... she was thrilled. Denise was proud of both of her grandchildren and wanted desperately to live to see them grow up. When she was first diagnosed with lung cancer, she called me to inform me and we both cried. The she asked me to hold on and came back to the phone with her BIBLE. I had inscribed it for her as follows Basic Instruction Book Before Leaving Earth. Then she opened up her Bible and her heart and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. We both expressed tears of pain and tears of joy for now she would experience the love and peace that passes all understanding and be reassured of an eternal life in heaven. It was then that Jesus gave her the gift of the Holy Spirit who would stay with her and lead her into all truths and that He would never leave her or forsake her. Through out the forthcoming seven years that Denise fought her disease, she also prayed prayers of strength and found comfort from God in her new found faith. Some of our best conversations and prayers were in the middle of the night. Denise recalled memories of her father who suffered a sudden death and forever changed her family dynamics. She was grateful to both of her parents for giving her a happy childhood in Troy and she was sad for her daughter Caren because she had become not only her mother but her best friend. She hoped that Caren would also come to faith in God and experience the love and peace that she came to know. She asked me to check in on her and be an inspiration to her spiritually. Denise feared her daughter's heart had become hardened as she felt shut down when she tried to discuss this with her. I assured her I would continue to pray for Caren and do the best I could. Caren threw her mother the most amazing Celebration of Life in the Summer of 2018 where family and friends came together to enjoy Hawaiian dancers and allow family and friends to express their love and affection toward her. It was there that my dear friend and many others witnessed the white light which represents the presence and peace of the Holy Spirit. It came through in pictures and video's people were taking while of the dancers.Shortly thereafter, Denise, told me that she knew that I loved her very deeply. She said she could see a deep sense of love in my eyes and she felt it in my presence when I came close to her. This, too, was God as I remain close to Him. He is a source of strength in my life and He has been for 43 years. We held hands on her recliner and I prayed with her. I thanked God for her life and for reaching down from heaven to give Denise the peace that passes all understanding and to send the Holy Spirit to her Celebration of Life. She was such a blessing to me! To know Him is to know love as He is the source of Love. Thank you God for allowing Denise to live a life longer than the odds. She outlived other people who had lung cancer and I thank you for giving her more time on this earth to spend with her family and friends. Thank you also for the reassurance you gave me six months after Denise passed. It was then that Denise visited me in my dream to tell me she was doing well. I also thank you that Caren phoned me to Pray the Final Prayer before Denise's passing. I believe to be absent in the body is to present in the Lord. I also pray Denise's family comes to faith so they, too, will know how deep and how wide God's love is for them. May they also experience the peace in this life that passes all understanding and spend eternity in heave forevermore. Amen
