September 14, 2012 - a very sad day for our family

On Labor Day weekend we intended to close out summer with our usual trip to the lake with friends and family alongside. Our weekend turned out to be anything but usual. Peter's sister, Sandy, was hospitalized with breathing difficulties which then turned into pulmonary fibrosis resulting from her prior radiation treatments. Sandy bravely fought off breast cancer, twice.

Speeding ahead to this weekend--quite suddenly her condition deteriorated rapidly and turned into an untreatable form of pneumonia. She passed peacefully on Friday afternoon, surrounded by the whole family. Now she is resting in the loving arms of her Savior. I am sure she has heard those words we all long to hear..."well done good and faithful servant".

If I were to try and describe the kind of woman she was I would never do proper justice with my limited abilities. To Peter and I she was sister, friend, confidant, mentor and teacher. To our children she was Aunt, friend, teacher and in her eyes they could do no wrong. All good things came from her. By that I mean she gave selflessly to her family. There was nothing that she touched that wasn't beautiful; be it a present lovingly wrapped, a sumptous meal planned with each in mind--right down to her special birthday bear which she placed at your plate every year when it was your turn to be spoiled a bit. Every year under the Christmas tree were ornaments for each child. On her summer travels she would pick them out for each one, making them feel so loved and cherished.

Dear sister, that is what you are now and always will be to us...loved and cherished. I do not know how we will go on without you. By God's grace and mercy I know we will; but when you left you took a piece of our hearts with you.

One day at a time,

~Kate-Lyn~