Really Missing Martha......

September 25, 2012

I've missed a few weeks of writing as there has been a lot going on. I have been dealing with the untimely, unfortunate passing of my dearest friend Martha Fondel Smith. I received a call on 9/14 from her husband that she suffered a stroke. I flew down the next morning to see her. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. The person who has been more like a sister to me than a friend for the past 15 years, who has stood by me through thick and thin was laying in a hospital bed not able to breathe on her own and showing no signs of any brain activity. Martha's husband Tony & her family made the decision to let her go - so on Saturday evening my sweet sweet friend went on to be with the Lord. This has been absolutely devastating to me as I don't have many memories over the years that don't include her. She was my trusted a confidante and I was hers. We stood up for each other in our weddings - we got married in the same year only a few months apart. Martha had a beautiful smile and she smiled ALL the TIME! No matter the situation - Martha was always smiling! She had an absolutely beautiful family that she adored - her loving husband Tony and her three children. Martha will forever live on through them. I have no doubt that she's in heaven as angelic as ever. I have been struggling internally with her death and wondering "why her?" She was so sweet, kind, giving & selfless. She had so much to offer the world and so much life left in her. I know that God has a plan for each of our lives. I also know that this world is a temporary holding place for us - none of us are meant to be here forever. I totally understand those principles - but it's certainly been difficult to process all of this. The only way I've been able to deal with this is to continue trusting God. No - I don't understand why this happened and it's not meant for me to understand, but I do trust God. I trust him and I know he doesn't make any mistakes. So - even though this is difficult and doesn't make sense - I trust God. I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures: Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I have to believe this. I trust God to see us all through this. I am in prayer for Martha's parents, her brothers, her husband, children, friends, and all of the lives that she touched. She will forever be cherished and remembered by me. There's not a day that will go by that I won't think of all the wonderful times that we shared over the years. I was blessed to be a part of her life. I love you Martha so much and I will miss you.

Pictures of us - over the years!