One night a man had a dream, he dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him: one belonging to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened during the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The Lord replied, "My precious child I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."  Moms favorite poem. I believe it was written by Carolyn Joyce Carty.

They that live beyond the world cannot e separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.

                                                                                                                                                                William Penn

Cheryle was a very special woman who brought joy to my fathers life, and for that I loved her.  She was thoughtful and kind, funny and smart.  She inspired in my dad a devotion like I have rarely seen, the kind usually reserved for those married all their lives, not just the few short years that Cheryle and dad were blessed with.  She inspired him to love.

1 Cor 13: 1-3

 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I am grateful to have known Cheryle, to have shared in their lives.  I loved seeing their pictures from cruises that they took. They seemed to almost enjoy counting the days, anticipating their trip as much as the trip itself. Cheryle was always thankful for all they had, all they did. Dad loved giving her gifts, usually Jewelry, and Cheryle never took for granted that he would always do so.   She was always surprised and joyful each time she received such a gift.

Cheryle worked hard to understand her illness and to not be afraid.  She often read from inspirational and devotional authors.  She sought wisdom and strength from God in as manuy ways as she could.  Dad often read to her from the Bible when she could no longer read to herself.  There is no better source of comfort that the words of God.  I leave you with these:

                Mat 5:4  Blessed be those that mourn, for they will be comforted

1 Thes  4: 13-17

13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

May the knowledge of God’s love and peace bring comfort to you Cheryle’s Family and friends

You came into my life unexpectedly.  You never asked for anything except my love, which I gladly gave to you. I wanted to give you steak and lobster, you only wanted hamburger helper.  I wanted you to have the best of everything, even if you did not think you needed it.  I tried to give you everything you ever thought you wanted.  You brought me back to God and for that I will be forever thankful.  I love you so much, and miss you even more. You are so beautiful.