Special Visitors

This post is #182 in a year-long series ... Through this series of posts I plan to share our family's experiences during our 17-year-old daughter's year-long battle with brain cancer, which began in February of 2008. My desire is to process through the events of that year from the perspective that a decade of time has brought ... for myself, really. But if you'd like to follow along, you're welcome to join me.

Photo credit: Leo Reynolds on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA

February 21, 2009

Many people came to visit us when we were in the hospice center, but only a few actually got to see Hannah during that time. She was never one to like a lot of attention even before she got sick, and I knew she would not be comfortable with visitors, especially in her condition.  We wanted to protect her dignity as much as possible; therefore, only the people we knew she would really want to see were allowed in. 

Three of her best friends from her elementary school years were included in that group.  What courage it must have taken for these young ladies to come see their formerly vibrant friend who was now in the final days of her life!  I'm not sure I could have done it at their age.  But these girls screwed up their courage, put smiles on their faces, and came.  I'm so grateful for the gift of their presence that day.  They were on their way to a youth retreat weekend, and as they were leaving, Hannah said, "Y'all have fun." A sweet surprise to those of us who rarely heard her speak in those days.

There were other visitors whose lives were changed eternally by their visit with Hannah in those final days ... My email from a decade ago explains.

We've had a very busy day full of visits and company today. Hannah has sat up, eaten, and talked some today, but has really not rested very well. This evening we asked the nurse to give her something to help her relax, which she did about 30 minutes ago, and now she is sleeping soundly. The best news of the day is that we were able to share Hannah's story and the peace that He's given us all with three members of our extended family who have now made decisions for Christ. Please pray that they will follow God's leadership in their lives and grow in their faith. This is yet another answer to Hannah's prayer. To God be the glory! He is good, all the time!

The surprise phone call I mentioned yesterday has not yet taken place, but we are still expecting it some time over the weekend .... we'll let you know the details later.

Jill and Brad