Here are some things I want to see and do before I die. They are in no particular order. I plan to add to the list as I think of new things to see and do.
Be there when Jim enters the Catholic Church.
See Lindy graduate from high school. √ May 28, 2011 And college.
See the completion of the beautiful new church building for Our Lady Queen of Peace parish. √ July 12, 2009 – Church Dedication with Bishop Vann -Totally awesome!!
Get my house “finished.”
Give away all the “stuff” I don’t need.
Visit Rome and the Holy Land.
Be there for Lindy’s wedding and the birth of her children.
Become a Benedictine oblate.
Teach Lindy to drive. Automatic √ and 5-speed.
Get all the family photos out of boxes and into albums, and put all the home movies on DVD.
Make a retreat, preferably a silent one.
Let my hair go to its natural color. √
Spend every minute possible with my family.
Write special letters to Jim and Lindy. In progress – letters have turned into booklets.
Learn to whistle – that really loud kind your kid can hear a block away.
Beverly,
I am Stephanie Foley’s aunt (favorite aunt). She sent me a link to your blog. Your writings are an inspiration to me and my family. We are praying for you and hope you will pray for us also.
Thank you for sharing.
Linda and David Bindel
Hi Bevery, How fortunate you are to have such friends. How fortunate you are to have time to share and build memories that will last your family until you once again meet. How many of us forget that we were all born and there will be a day when we will all die. That is a certainty. Some of us die before having a chance to live or not live long enough. How many of us forget that life is to be shared in love and kindness, so precious a gift. We forget for we are all human. How many of us put off for tomorrow what we should be doing today, creating beautiful memories. I have come to this realization and spend as much time with my family creating loving memories, so that when it is my day to die, they will remember those memories til it is their day to join us in the here after. Be strong and build those memories today. Sincerely, Josie Guffey Jennings
Beverly, you are awesome! In the almost 30 years of working with you, for you, beside you, I always knew you were a special person. Not only for me but for others that were fortunate to observe your specialness (is that a word? It is now!). How many times have I popped in just to see you and talk about our kids and our football teams? Too many to count I’m sure. As I indicated to you in earlier emails, “I miss seeing you”. When I think of you I think about Stephen Covey’s remarks about “dying with dignity” and how much of an impact that made on family and friends. And now, I am amazed about the impact you are making with people you don’t even know. But, they know you and they are learning what we’ve always known about you. We are all with you and are comforted by the knowledge that the Lord is with you also. See you soon my friend, Bob.
Hi Beverly. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share in your life experiences during this time. I feel blessed to get to read them! Your writings are an example to me that I need to always rely on the Lord for my source of strength as you are doing. I believe you have “the peace of God, which passes all understanding,” that Paul wrote about in Philippians. You, Jim and Lindy are in my thoughts and prayers. So happy when I read about the marker number going down…that’s exciting news!!
Beverly, I just wanted to tell you how much I miss you. Your spot here in the office is waiting for you. I am one of the lucky people that knew already the depth of your faith even though I know it contiues to grow. You are in my mind and my heart all through the day as we go about our jobs here with the mondane reports and of course time and effort. I miss your quiet presence. Please know that we continue to pray for you, Jim and Lindy. Your blog is amazing you are touching so many people with the testimony of your faith. I will be gone for the month of July, but our prayers will continue. God bless you, make His face to shine upon you, be gracious unto you, and give you peace. Love, Miriam
Beverly,
Thank you again for your insight and wisdom. How many things on your list should be on all our lists?!
You inspire me beyond measure and I continue to keep you all in my prayers.
You are a treasure to all who meet you,
Lisa McCarthy
You know, Beverly, so many of us are overwhelmed by your courage in facing this disease, but I must admit, sister, your courage to let your hair go gray is over the top!!!!
Much love from your “blonder than she pays to be” friend-Cindy
I am Lynsey Neeb’s grandmother. Thea told me about your site. Your faith is so strong!! I am so amazed and inspired by your writings. Our family will continue to pray for you and your family.
God Bless You, Vicki Neeb
Beverly, I am praying for you. Your courage and faith are such an inspiration. After working with you for 14 years, I know that you are a very special woman.
Thinking of you,
Nancy Holcombe
Dear Sweet Wonderful Beautiful Beverly,
Please let me know if you decide to get rid of all your hair because I am always ready to chop mine off in solidarity with someone just to not have to mess with my hair – which doesn’t look good short, long or otherwise. No, seriously.
I have been hoping to get in touch with you for some time while not knowing how. I have been monitoring your progress through my friend Tracy and her Mom. Sara and I actually made contact on Facebook and she found your website which should be called something else because I find it to be in a class by itself!
I have been reading and crying (my shirt is wet) and laughing some too. In reading your list of things to do, I cannot believe you do not want to go trout fishing in the Brazos River early on a Saturday morning. In fact, I’m stunned ;D
I do not understand why these hard things happen to the finest people I know, but the best tack I have been able to take on turning things over to God came from a comedian. The comedian was talking about how he had fooled his dog into thinking he was omnipotent because every time he came in from the grocery store his dog looked at him with awe as if to say, “Wow, you are greatest hunter ever! You went out on one trip and came home with cow, fish, pig, and assorted birds. You are AMAZING!!!”
Much as doggies do not understand the concept of one-stop grocery shopping, I believe we operate on a plane of understanding that is so many levels removed from the Wisdom of God…and the knowledge we will receive when “all shall be made known.” Things will confront us in this life that we will either marvel at or weep over or just completely misunderstand that require us to accept them on the limited plane of our humanness and know that God does understand them when we can’t. For me it’s a little like quantum physics. I don’t begin to understand it, but I’m sure glad someone else does. When our knowledge is made complete, I can’t help but imagine that we will say to ourselves, “Ohhhh, well I sure wasted a lot of time worrying about that.”
Please know that I am thinking about you all the time as I have been since I heard about this journey you are taking. I still have the very sweet note you sent me during a very dark time in my life that provided me encouragement then…and now. It is among my most cherished gifts.
I am anxious to do anything I can to lighten your load or help out you or Jim or Lindy in any way. I was nudged into an early retirement a little over a year ago because I had the West Nile Virus. Please email me if you need anything. I’m available. XOXOXO, Linda
Beverly,
I meant to comment about your list of things you would like to do or see. I can help you achieve one (SMILE). I don’t know if you remember how loud I can whistle with my fingers, but most people are very astonished by it. My kids are usually embarrased because I still do it!
Anytime you are ready …I am ready to teach you! We will be able to be heard for miles around! Love you, Cheryl