|
|
January 29, 2006How can Jane be dying?Friends, blogging will be light to nothing today and maybe for a little while. My friend is dying. My head is spinning. We have known each other for 20 years, having met as volunteers for the church youth group. We had children together. Hers are now 21, 16 and 15. When the youngest was 1, her husband left the family and never had any dealing with the children again. Jane was left to raise them alone, struggling and working part-time at church. She raise three great kids with the help of almost no one but her (very) elderly mother. When I say they were struggling, I mean struggling. Life was no easy at all. As the kids were older she took a full-time position with the parish but church jobs don’t exactly pay well. Things had only just gotten a little better over the past 18 months, when the church offered her a full-time position as Director of Religious Ed - not great money but, as Jane would be the first to say - the best situation she’d had in 15 years. I saw her last at Thanksgiving, at mass. She came to me, asking if I was unwell because I looked so pale. I told her I was wondering the same thing about her, and we both chuckled about “getting old.” Today at Mass, I looked around and did not see her. I heard her name in the request for prayers and discovered the situation. In the week between Christmas and New Years, Jane - never sick a day in her life - discovered she had cancer. My pastor said she is not expected to live out the week, and is in terrible pain, suffering greatly. I don’t know details beyond that. I am stunned and trying to learn more. This is simply staggering for all of us, here. Please pray for Jane and her children. Please pray. Thank you. http://theanchoressonline.com/2006/01/29/how-can-jane-be-dying/trackback/ 21 Responses to “How can Jane be dying?” |
January 29th, 2006 at 12:59 pm
I’m terribly sorry and I will pray for them all, and for you. O
I’m sure worry over her children is adding to her suffering; with the life she has led I am sure that making her peace for own sake will be quite easy. I know that the church members will be there for those kids, but their need will be great. Would you please let us know where to contribute?
Again, I’m terribly, terribly sorry. Just let us know, okay?
January 29th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I am praying …
January 29th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
You have my prayers
AJStrata
January 29th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
I will pray for Jane and her family with all my heart.
January 29th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.Je vous prie de tout mon coeur pour Jane et ses enfants
January 29th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
I am so sorry. Having lost my mom at 14, I grieve for these children and the loss of their dear mother. Having lost my best friend to cancer 10 years ago when we were 41, I grieve for you and your loss of a dear friend. I shall keep all of you in prayer. I agree with MaxedOutMama - please let us know if there is a fund to which we can contribute.
January 29th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Of course prayers Anchoress. You need only ask. Prayers for Jane and her family, prayers for you and your family.
Renee P
January 30th, 2006 at 1:39 am
Prayers are ascending to heaven even now as I type. If it is God’s will that she join Him now I pray He will be merciful and allow her pain to be managed. I pray for her children that they will have someone to turn to since their father has deserted them, and I know God has a special crown for this woman who has suffered so much in this life.
January 30th, 2006 at 1:44 am
[...] For a friend of the Anchoress who is dying of cancer and not expected to last through the week. [...]
January 30th, 2006 at 5:10 am
You have my prayers, now and always.
January 30th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Om Mani Padme Hung. Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate Bodhi Sva Ha.
January 30th, 2006 at 8:39 am
Oh I am so sorry to hear that. It sucks losing a friend. My prayers are with you and her family.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:41 am
Prayers on the way. I know how much this hurts.
Respectfully,
Brian P.
January 30th, 2006 at 11:22 am
I pray that the grace her life’s work has earned gives her a fine home in Our Father’s house, and strengthens her children.
January 30th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
I am so sorry. I am praying for her, for her kids, and for all the people she has touched. Maybe God will give her an additional 15 years like he gave Hezekiah. We can ask. I’m asking.
January 30th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
I’ll be praying for her, her children, and her friends.
January 30th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
I can’t stop thinking of her pain; all the pain you all are experiencing at so many different levels- and i pray it is bearable.
January 30th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
Your friend, Jane and her family–both immediate and Church–have my prayers.
January 30th, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Recall the 23rd and 121st Psalms
February 2nd, 2006 at 1:13 am
In Reporting on Reporters Injuries in War Objectivity May Hinder More Than Help
Psycmeister has a very good post about our military’s reaction to the recent press prominence given to the ABC news crew injured by an explosion in Iraq.
February 3rd, 2006 at 4:22 am
The Council Has Spoken!
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are Our Liberties Are Our Liberties, E…