Chronicles of Marnia

I'm participating in Wendy's Life is Funny carnival. Ready?

So yesterday after church, we decide to go somewhere swanky for lunch. Yes, that's right, Dairy Queen. We were waiting on our food, and because I have ovaries, I'm the one up getting the straws, napkins, ketchup, blah blah, while everyone else sits there and watches me.

An older woman and her friend were finishing up at a table near us and were just getting ready to leave when she sees Dane and Peyton sitting at the table. She says "Oh my word! Is that you?" and comes over to the table and gives Dane a big hug. He's enthusiastically saying to her "How are you? How long has it been?" She says "you're daughter is getting so big. Where is your wife?" He points to me and I wave and say hello as, in my head, I'm thinking, "who is this woman?"

She and her friend leave. I head back over to our table. I sit down and say, "who was that?" and Dane says, "I have NO idea..."

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Part of our journey through Peyton's cancer was meeting and loving Courtney. She and Peyton were on the same clinic rotation and after months and months of sitting for hours at a time in clinic together, we grew to love her as if she were literally our own. Fours years ago today, I kissed her cheek, told her I loved her and held her hand as she peacefully slipped into Jesus' arms. It's still staggering to me it's been that long since I laughed with her. But God has been good to us since she had to go. The light shines brighter when you've been in the dark...

Please remember Courtney's family in your prayers today.

This was her time, this was her dance. She lived every moment, left nothing to chance. She swam in the sea, drank of the deep. Embraced the mystery of all she could be. This was her time...

Though you are mourning and grieving with us, death died a long time ago. Swallowed in life so that life carries on. Still it's so hard to let go...

This was her time, this was her dance. She lived every moment, left nothing to chance. She swam in the sea, drank of the deep. Embraced the mystery of all she could be...

What if tomorrow, and what if today, faced with the question, oh what would you say? This is your time. This is your dance. Live every moment, leave nothing to chance! Swim in the sea, drink of the deep. Follow the mercy and hear yourself praying, "Won't You save me? Won't You save me?"

This is your time...

Courtney Dawn Howard

October 25, 1985-November 20, 2005

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