Happy Birthday Marilyn

I’m writing this post in honor of my beautiful angel aunt Marilyn, who would have been turning 59 today.  She passed away in November after a courageous fight with cancer.  When she was diagnosed back in 2013 she knew it wasn’t a battle she could win, the cancer would eventually take her back home.  She decided from the very beginning though, that she would never be mad at God.  Instead she would put her trust in Him, knowing that He would never leave her or her family alone.  I will be forever grateful to her for her faith in God, her optimism, her courage, and her endurance. She had a stronger impact on us than she probably knew.  She set the example for us…when hard times come, put your trust in the Lord, and move forward with faith.  

Looking back at this last year leaves me in awe.  It was the most awful year of my life, but at the same time it was the best year of my life…it was truly sacred, heaven had never been so close. We were carried. My family was blessed with strength far beyond our own.  

I’ve had some people ask me if I feel angry that we had to put Sarah through chemo when it didn’t help, if I wished we had just gone straight to Seattle for radiation after her first surgery. The thought is totally understandable, but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. I know everything happens for a reason.  We believe God orchestrated every detail to save our sweet Sarah. He has been with her every step of the way. She is His daughter and He knew exactly what she needed to heal her little body.  While the chemo didn’t stop the tumor from growing, it did slow it down and I believe it stopped the cancer from spreading. 

Our time at Primary Children’s Hospital is very special to me.  I think of the times when I didn’t know how to move forward, God would always send someone to help me….always.  Often it was Nathan and the kids, my family, our friends and neighbors, doctors and nurses, other moms at the hospital….and sometimes that someone was Sarah’s guardian angel, my sweet aunt Marilyn. 


Happy Birthday Marilyn.  I love you with all of my heart!        



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