Never in a million years would I have thought my mom would become a statistic of cancer, but she did. My mom had non-Hodgkin lymphoma and lost her battle nearly five years ago only 7 months after being diagnosed. It was an extremely difficult time because I was still praying and believing my mom would come out a victor when my dad called to say Mom had passed away. You never truly realize how much a person means to you until they are gone.

I have yet to meet anyone who had a relationship with God like my mom. She truly walked out her love for Him in a way that still amazes me. She didn’t have a dad growing up, but she KNEW God as her dad as no one else I have known. She inspired me, encouraged me, and always took me back to what God says in His word. Sometimes I would call her to whine about something and she would stop me and say, “Lisa, did you pray about it?”

“No, I didn’t. ” I would sheepishly and reluctantly reply.

“Well, talk to Him first and then we can talk about it afterward.” Not the response I was hoping for, but it came to be the response I was always expecting to hear. I can never tell her this now, but when I go through trials, those are the words that come back to me time and again.

Grammy's quilts for Ian and Malcolm.

She loved to quilt and garden and I have attempted to pursue both of these hobbies as a tribute to her. Although I must admit, I don’t find nearly the same joy in quilting as she did. She made beautiful quilts as well as baby quilts for countless children in the church and her own grandchildren. Her quilts were so well-loved by kids that they were worn to shreds. I even had to hide my children’s baby quilts after a while so  they could be preserved.  I wanted them to have it as a keepsake, but now they have part of  their Grammy’s love to share with their littles ones someday.

When I was wanting to find out how other people dealt with and helped those with cancer, I couldn’t find any information that was written by a cancer survivor that was upbeat. It would have been beneficial to have someone say they had come through cancer victorious and been able to give fresh hope to my mom while she was kickin’ cancer as best she could.

I am pleased to tell you that I have a friend , Julie Evans, who has recently written a book about her journey through breast cancer and being able to kick that wretched disease. Her book is called, Shaken not Stirred… A Chemo Cocktail: A Comedy about my Tragedy. If you have a friend or family member who is going through their own battle of kickin’ cancer I think this book would be a great encouragement to them. Julie has such an exuberant outlook on life that no one can stay down long while reading this book.

I am thankful I had a mother who supported me and led by godly example. May I point others to the Lord like she did for me.  If you still have the opportunity to call your mom and tell her you love her, do it.  If you have the opportunity to wish her a Happy Mother’s day, do it. You and she will be glad you did.

I hope you a wonderful Mother’s Day and know I appreciate you and the hard work you do for your family.

^{Proverbs 31}

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.