Goodbye, My Sweet Friend

For those of you who have held my dear friend, Annette, in prayer and who have lovingly followed along in her journey at my side...Annette passed away this morning and went to be with her Heavenly Father. Her suffering is no more and she is once again whole and healed, and undoubtedly in Heaven dancing at the feet of Jesus.

I ask that you continue to keep her husband, Scott, and their four children and the entire family and community that has spent so much time in caring for this remarkable woman in your prayers during the upcoming days, weeks and months ahead. Her memorial service is not until next Monday and Tuesday, and it will be a few weeks before the realization sets in and they begin their lives without their wife, mother, daughter, cousin and friend.

Thankful are we that her suffering has peacefully ended. Grateful are we for sharing in the love and inspiration of Annette and her sweet spirit. May the Lord bring each person grieving this loss much grace and understanding, for we know that our Annette would have wanted us to rejoice, smile and hug one another in celebration of her life.

Blessings to you.
C

SisterChicks

SisterChicks...

Those of you close to me know that my dear friend, Annette Roix, has been enduring the diagnosis and treatment of Stage 4 Renal Carcinoma for quite some time. She has an established blog that, until recently, was updated mostly by herself and now by her cousin/friend/Pastor, John Nordstrom. (http://updateonnette.blogspot.com) I have been blessed to have known both John and Annette, along with her family for about 4.5 years. A few days ago, John posted an update on Annette's health and status and also a request for comments and stories that will eventually be compiled into a Memory Book for her husband, Scott, and their four children. Below, I have pasted my contribution and also felt the need to share it within this realm as well. Before moving on to my comment, I need to elaborate. Below, before my actual comment for the Memory Book, are my personal thoughts.

As we all know, people do come into and leave an imprint on our lives. Sometimes we are blessed to have them around for many, many years and other times, we feel as if our time together has been short-changed. Annette came into my life so unexpectedly, yet as I reflect upon that particular time period, I see that it really wasn't so unexpected after all. God had His gracious hand upon both of us, and those surrounding us, and led us directly to one another. In the midst of great sadness and confusion, Annette taught me to love and be loved, to stand tall even when I didn't want to at all, and most importantly...she taught me to fully trust in God. She gave me a book entitled, "Grace Walk", and we fervently studied it together. These lessons are those that I carry with me each day as I walk forward as gracefully as possible.

The deck of cards for my life thus far have not always ended up with a Royal Flush; in fact, many times I wanted to flush my dealt hand right down the toilet, because all I had left to say was "I'm folding". During the darkest of dark times, I cried out to God, and on Annette's shoulder, to just find peace. And guess what...God provided peace. Abundant Peace. And, Forgiveness. Through life changing events, my brother's unexpected loss and too many happy & blessed times to list...Annette's teaching ways and generous spirit have always been with me.

During this bleak time of Annette's life, when it doesn't appear that God will grant the miracle we have all been praying for, I have to remember to do as Annette taught me: Give it to God. He's the only one that can take our burdens, fears and disappointments and carry the burden for us. I am heartbroken to be on the verge of losing my dear friend, but am finding much comfort in knowing that this, too, is all part of the Master Plan. God will allow grief, but in the grief we will also find the comfort and peace that only He can bring. In Abundance, with Grace. Just as Annette taught me and predicted it would be.


THIS IS MY COMMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY POSTED ON ANNETTE'S BLOG AND WILL (HOPEFULLY) BE USED AS PART OF A MEMORY BOOK FOR HER HUSBAND AND FOUR CHILDREN....

Tales From a Redhead in the City... said...

I met Annette and her family in early 2004 at a financial seminar that Christ Community Church was hosting. Annette and Scott were seated a few tables away from where I was sitting, and in the midst of learning and listening, Annette's bright eyes made contact with mine. As soon as the seminar ended, she approached me with a warm welcome, a friendly hug and her pretty smile. I knew that she was someone special before we ever exchanged words! What everyone else has been saying...to know Annette is to love and be loved, and that is so very true.

A day or two passed and my phone rang. Annette was at the other end of the line, wondering if I would like to get together. Little did she know at the time, I was experiencing the end of my marriage, the loss of a baby and feeling generally alienated from those that I normally had surrounding me. I was hesitant, but then remembered Annette's gentle hug over her big, pregnant belly and I couldn't say no. She welcomed me into her life and the lives of her family, invited me to church, introduced me to a wonderful group of women who immediately embraced me into their latest book discussion (in which Annette so graciously shared a copy of the book), had me at her dinner table, in her car running errands, visiting her when Zachary was born...the list goes on. In a few short months, Annette, Scott and friends (you know who you are!) gently led me to laughter, friendship, purpose and love. Annette and Scott together...what an inspirational team!

As time passed and I moved away, Annette's friendship never ceased. Encouraging emails and phone calls were there to remind me not only of Annette's unconditional love, but also of God's. During a time of my life where I continuously cried out to the Lord for guidance and answers, he led me to Annette and it was in our friendship that I learned how to strive to be a Godly woman and live a life full of grace and forgiveness.

I regret the amount of time that passed and how busy life sometimes becomes for all of us and we sometimes forget to just pick up the phone and call those that we love. We take for granted that our time here on Earth is limitless and that we will always have time to do all of the things on our lists...if we must endure this marathon that we are all sharing in with Annette and her loving family, then we must also be sure to stop for a quiet moment to pray and give thanks. Perhaps it will be thanks for a miraculous healing, thanks for ultimate understanding, peace and comfort, and thanks for being as blessed as we each have been by our dear, sweet friend. We must remember the Lord's love, patience, endurance and grace that we have witnessed by being a part of Annette's life.

Even though we have not seen one another for a good amount of time, I will never, ever forget the very moment that I was blessed enough to become Annette's friend. We are praying for you and your family constantly and hoping that your miracle will soon arrive. I love you my SisterChick book-loving friend!

Blessings,
Christy (English) Anderson

April 4, 2009 2:38 PM