Five years ago, on August 31, 2009, Sara had her first major surgery related to her cancer. The surgeons removed her entire femur, knee, and hip, and gave her what Sara called "a bionic leg". It was the most traumatic of her surgeries, and Sara faced it like a champ. She endured two and a half weeks in the hospital, 92 staples, six weeks of a cumbersome brace that encircled her waist and extended down below her knee, and was back in the hospital facing more chemo three and a half weeks after her surgery. I look back now and am so amazed at how tough she was and how little she complained. God brought us all through each step of the way.
Four years ago at this time, she was back starting classes at Corban College, determined to finish her senior year. We missed her, but we were rejoicing and praising God that He had brought her through the year of treatment, that the cancer was beaten, and that she was actually able to go back to school.
Three years ago, we were still trying to figure out how to accept the fact that Sara was gone, that the cancer had returned, and that God's plan was to take her home at the age of 22. Some days I feel like I'm still trying to figure out how to accept that. TRUST is a big thing.
I know this is true for countless others who have suffered loss, and I know everyone has. It is a struggle of life. When Sara died, there were people who said (in a loving and well-meaning way) that it would get better with time. I don't think I really believe it gets better, it just becomes different. I'm praying that God would grant me a deeper TRUST in Him, which is the basis of FAITH, which is the basis of HOPE.
