Friday, June 29, 2012

The loss of a friend....

In my life I have been able to count my true friends on both hands. Apart from one friend I made in my teens, the others I did not meet until my 30's and 40's.
One of my dearest friends is Pam.
Pam is a prayer warrior, one of my three prayer circle friends. We met in 2000 through an email group when we began homeschooling. It wasn't (isn't) easy for me to make friends, but she persisted until I let go of my fears and took her hand in friendship. I know she has a habit of doing that to women. She reached out and showed the love and grace of Jesus, and captured our hearts.
During the night, my lovely friend passed away suddenly into the arms of our Saviour.
She would not have planned to meet Him this way...she is a loyal and loving wife, and the mother-of-all-mothers to four children aged 3 - 18. Having two little girls in her mid and late 40's was a joy for her that words cannot describe, and in every conversation we had she expressed that delight. Her four children were her world.
Most of our 13 year relationship has been conducted over the phone. We've only met face to face a handful of times, as we've never lived in the same city, and rarely have I been in the same state, but those times were filled with love and laughter, and hospitality as I have never before or since, experienced. 
Opening my heart to Pam, I knew there was safety. She cared so much about all people...and I never doubted her care for me. In another life I would have wanted her as my mother...
Pam, 2008.

In an earlier issue of my magazine I shared the "Prayer Circle" block...
I also explained who the three friends were that I'd stitched into the block.
Pam was one of them. 
We four - Pam, Elizabeth, Ruth and I have held each other in prayer through the brightest and the darkest of days...
Each one of these ladies is a gift to me. Sisters not by birth, but by the Lord's hand.
Pam was a woman so gentle, so forgiving, so gracious. She has left a gaping hole in our lives and hearts.

But we know where she is today. We know that she stands before her Saviour in all His glory, and we know that He welcomed her into His presence with, "Well done, my good and faithful servant".

As you can imagine, the lives of her girls (ages 4 and 6), and her sons (ages 16 and 18), and the life of her husband, Gordon, is now a train wreck of grief.
PLEASE pray for them. Please pray for Pam's mother, her sister, and her brother. 
PLEASE, hold them in prayer for a long time because the journey ahead will be long.

I will be gone from blogging for a bit.
I know you'll understand. 

Love
Jenny
xx


52 comments:

Anonymous said...

You are in our thoughts and prayers, at this sad time. Much love Gill xx

retdairyqueen said...

Sending loving comforting prayers your way

Annette-California said...

I've just prayed and will continue to pray for all of Pam's family and for you. Jenny, you wrote the most beautiful & loving memorial of Pam and of the special friendship all of you share. From my heart I send you white light of the holy spirit in your time of need.
love Annette

Joy said...

I'm so so sorry for your loss Jenny. Sending loving hugs your way.
Joy xxxx

Sharon said...

I am so sorry for your loss of your friend... Good friends are precious and rare...May you find comfort in prayer...

Sharon x x

Christine M said...

Thinking of you Jenny and sending you some hugs. Christine xxx

Scottish Nanna said...

So Sorry you lost your friend It will be hard for her family.God bless them all.
Hugs Mary xx.

Noela said...

My prayers are with you Jenny and with your friends family also. Hugs...

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

So sorry, you and your sweet friend's family will be in my prayers.

Marilyn said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CalamityJr said...

I'm so sorry, Jenny. Of course I'll be praying for your Pam's family, as well as you and everyone who called her friend.

Marilyn said...

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful friend to you. May God bless you and Pam's Family in these coming days and months, and especially those 2 young girls.
Take care.
Loving hugs, Marilyn xx

Robin in New Jersey said...

(((((Jenny)))))

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved friend, Pam. How very sad.

I will be praying for Pam's family and for you too, as you mourn her home going.

Find comfort in knowing that she is with the Lord and that he is in control. His ways are not our ways.

Marina said...

I spoke with her on the phone for the first time only a few months ago, just after her father passed away - she was so kind and understanding at a time of her own personal stress.

Will hold her and her family in our prayers as they come to grips with their unexpected and tragic loss.

Marina

Susan said...

Jenny, I am so sad for you. Sending hugs.
Susan

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Sending light and love to you and to Pam's family. My heart is sad for your loss.
xx

Wendy said...

My deepest condolences to your friends family. So sorry that you have lost a friend and will be lifting her family up in prayer as well as you. May God give peace and comfort to all those who mourn her.

Allie said...

Oh Jenny-girl - holding you and her family close in prayer - I am so sorry!!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

So sorry on the loss of your friend and prayer warrior. Prayers are going your way, and to her family.

drMolly, the BeanQueen said...

A difficult thing, the loss of a dear friend. My prayers are with the family and with you Jenny.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Dearest friend, My heart aches for you. I will be keeping you and Pam's family in my thoughts and prayers.
Gentle Hugs...

hope said...

Sending continuing prayers for you and for her family. Hugs

Hope

Createology said...

I am truly sorry for your loss and the family's loss. My prayers are en route. May your memories help to fill this huge void. Blessings...

Bluebell said...

So sorry about your friend Pam, such a sad sad thing to happen, I will think of you and her family.

Jillx

ShirleyC said...

Oh, Jenny, I know all too well how hard it is to lose a true friend. Praying for you and for her family. How sad.

Andrea Louise said...

I am really sorry to hearing this. You are in my thoghts and prayers.
Love, Andrea.

kathyros said...

oh Dear Jenny, how very sad for you to lose your beloved friend. Her family must be really struggling. May God bless you and Pams family as you get through the next hours, days, weeks and months. xxx

little acorns said...

Jenny, Praying for Pam's family (& will continue to) as well as for you as you ponder the loss (for awhile) of your dear friend. What a comfort though, to know she is resting in our Lord's loving arms. xo, Bren

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

My thoughts are with you Jen...xx

Vicki ♥ said...

So very sad to read of your loss Jen ....love and hugs and prayers for you and Pam's family. Hugs Vicki x

Lynn B said...

I am very sorry for the loss of your friend, she sounded such a lovely person, my prayers are with you and her family.

Unknown said...

So Sorry to hear of the Loss of a Dear Friend...
You are in My Thoughts.
Take Care
xx

StitchinByTheLake said...

What a heartfelt tribute to a dear friend and child of God. I have lifted you up today asking for God's peace to surround her entire family and her friends. I pray that His grace will so infuse each of you that you will shine with His light for all those around you. And I humbly ask that God give you each moments of joy as you remember and mourn. blessings, marlene

Alice said...

Prayers for all of Pam's family! And for you and her friends who are feeling such loss. True friends really are rare!
L.A-

Gmama Jane said...

What a glorious tribute to your friend, Pam. Prayer is a powerful action and not to be taken lightly when said'I'll pray for you". Therefore, I don't EVER say "I'll pray for you" unless I truly mean it and usually pray immediately upon my promise to pray. I WILL pray!
Blessings
Gmama Jane

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your loss. My Prayers are with you and Pam's family. May God Bless you all. Jennie.

Shawkl said...

How blessed you are, to have had such a friend. I am sorry for your loss. Praying for you and for your friend's family. May God's grace keep you all.
Kathy

Sue from Cyprus said...

That's awful Jenny. I am so sorry for your loss. I will continue to pray for Pam's family and friends. However, we are assured that Pam is in the safe arms of our Lord.
Hugs, Sue from Cyprus x x x

Deborah said...

Jenny,
Oh goodness, how awful. My heart really goes out to you Jenny also to Pam's family, friends and community. Saying farewell to our family and friends is never easy and particularly when it's sudden as it seems to have been, the grief is at times overwhelming. We feel confused, lost, broken and totally heartbroken. Why?
Why did they have to leave so suddenly, without saying goodbye is probably the thing we ask the most, because we know in our hearts that they would not leave without saying goodbye or preparing us in some way to be able to go on without their presence.
But gone they have and we have no choice but to turn to our Father and pour out our tears into His Hands and to let Him hold us in His embrace and comfort. We don't understand why this has happened and we probably never will whilst we are here on this planet, but we know that we are better people for having known them, loved them, laughed with them and that they have left us a part of themselves inside our hearts to comfort us when we will be missing them the most.
God promises us that through Jesus dying on the cross, the power of death is over and so it is unable to hold us any longer. We feel the grief, tears and sadness at the loss of our beloved ones, for with great love comes great sorrow. However, we know through faith that we shall be together again for eternity this time and that the time for tears and sadness will be over. It is love that binds us together, through time, distance, eternity, adeversity and loss and our God is the Prince of Peace and God of love so we can be assured that we have comfort in His arms.
May God shower his blessings and comfort upon you Jenny and may He give you the certain knowledge that next time the Prayer Warriors are together, in will be in His Kingdom and it will be glorious and eternal.

Grammasheri said...

Everyone needs to have a God-given sister like your Pam in their lives. She left some of herself in you and in everyone whose lives she touched. Because of who she was...and Whose she was...her family and friends will grieve harder yet will be comforted by her life, her memory, her faith. Be comforted, my friend, and know my prayers are mingled with so many others, for you all.

trish said...

Oh Jenny. I am so sorry. To loose someone so dear, to so many is heart breaking. On the other side of this pain, is the understanding that she is in the presence of her dear Savior that she loves so much, and that brings comfort, as well as knowing that one day, we will all be together again. For now, this side of eternity, I am praying for you as well as her family, as they grieve such a loss. Pam is exactly the type of lady I strive to be like. What a blessing to be so close to someone so dear. I wish I could have known her too.
Sending love and hugs your way. Tricia

Sandy said...

So very sorry for your loss, Jenny. Prayers and comfort thoughts sent your way and to the family of Pam.

suz said...

Pam, her family and her friends are all in my prayers. You've written a beautiful tribute to your friend.

Joyce Carter said...

Jenny, I am so sorry for your loss. I have been thinking about what I could say to make you feel better, but I know that only time can help. Today my heart is very heavy and burdened also. I lost my very best friend to canser in Jan. I knew that she was dying, but I just couldn't accept it. I kelp thinking she was going to get better. She was so strong up until the end. She told me she was ready to go home, but I wasn't ready for her to.I miss her so much. Every day I can think of so much I want to tell her and I wish I could talk to her just one more time. We had so much in common. we have laughed and cried together so many times that it is still hard for me. I know that she is with my Father And I find comfort in that. I'm sorry, Jenny. I will pray for your friend's family.Thanks for listening.

Anonymous said...

Precious Post! I'll pray for comfort to all~ ♥♥♥

Angela said...

SO sorry to hear of the loss of your special friend, many prayers for her family and you too.

Janice said...

Pam's family and you are in our thoughts at this sad time. You were so fortunate to have enjoyed her friendship.

grammajudyb said...

I am so sorry for your loss and for the lateness of this note. I have been away from blogging for more than a week also.
My prayers for her family's healing and for yours.

Sherry said...

I will be praying for Pam's family and for you. Our lives can change so quickly, it is the Lord's strength that gets us through these times.

Anonymous said...

Im so very sorry you have lost your friend. I will keep Pams family and you in my thoughts and prayers!! HUGS!!! Sonya

jugglingpaynes said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Jenny. You and her family are in my thoughts and in my prayers. Sending lots of virtual {{{hugs}}}

Peace,
Cristina

Carla said...

My thoughts and prayers go out to Pam's family and friends who will miss her. I lost my best friend last March and I still grieve for her. There's a hole where she used to be. So sorry for your loss.