Funerals, Death, and Other Memories

Yesterday I attended the memorial service of Peggy Haeussler Wolf (no relation). I first met Peggy in Kindergarten many years ago. In fact, she was one of the first to befriend the crying new kid at Horizon Hills Elementary. We went through elementary school, junior high, and high school together. Occasionally, we'd see each other in the neighborhood and catch up on each other's lives.

But as the years passed, we each got caught up in work and living our own lives. She became heavily involved in Christianity; I did not. When I joined Facebook a few months ago, out of nostalgia for some childhood companions, I friended Peggy and was horrified to learn that she had been battling neuroendocrine cancer for 3.5 years. In 2006, a grapefruit-sized tumor was removed from her chest. The prognosis was terminal.

If you want a tale of inspiration and grace under pressure--regardless of your faith or nonfaith-- check out Peggy's blog on Blogspot: Peggy's Victory Blog. As she lay dying about ten days ago, she asked her brother Joe to take over the blog duties. He's doing a wonderful job.

Sure, Peggy got mad at cancer. She had her weak moments, as we all do. But she accepted the hand she was dealt and did a tremendous job in preparing her family and friends for what was to follow. She used the last 3.5 years of her life to enlighten and bond and educate.

I only hope that when my time comes that I will be as strong and loyal as she. I guess this is one reason why people conduct memorial services: to inspire us to truly live our lives, to better them, to open ourselves, to be brave.