We met during a retreat at our church in March, 2001, and our group of 30+ women bonded as, over the course of the next 6 months, we put together a retreat weekend for the next team. We shared our lives, we shared our hearts, we trusted one another with our real selves and we were forever changed.
Nine years have passed; several have relocated with husbands to cities far away. Some have moved just far enough that their lives have taken on another rhythm. We are, however, still bonded by our weekend.
When diagnosed, Sharon reached out via email and I immediately picked up the phone and we talked for over an hour, discussing her options and providing support to one another. For the past 3+ years we've spent time together going to the doctor, radiation treatments, gatherings with the other women, breakfast, coffee and more time on the phone. When she had surgery I visited and we talked; Sharon always remaining positive and looking beautiful through it all. Her faith in God's plan never wavering. Not once. I kept waiting for her to breakdown or to question or to be angry. Nope. It wasn't going to be.
Last Monday I took over cupcakes and cakeballs, knowing that her husband enjoyed carrot cake and hopeful that maybe she could eat some high calorie sweets. My way of saying what words couldn't. That I care. That I love her and that I knew things were changing.
As I was leaving Sharon joked that if I was going to bring chocolate chip cookies, her husband and sons wouldn't be allowed to have any... they would all belong to her and she wasn't going to share.
My flight to Ft. Wayne was Thursday morning, so I set aside time on Wednesday to bake chocolate chip cookies for Sharon, watching with extra care to make sure they were just right. I took the cookies over and, as I looked at my friend who had somehow gotten smaller than she was on Monday, I was very sad. "I'll come see you when I get back. I love you."
The news came via cell phone on Saturday morning as my daughter and I readied her home for my grandson's 2nd birthday. Life is complicated, yet simple. Joy mixed with great sadness. Pleasure is seeing a life grow and evolve and such sadness for what will never be.
Bringing a smile to someone through simple baked goods is what I try to do. With love and caring these delights are created and someone knows that they are loved.
Rest easy in the arms of Jesus, my dear friend. You are loved. You will be missed.
Sharon K. Duncan
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