Saturday, March 14, 2009

Catch Her If You Can!

An amazing thing happened yesterday, just before noon. Our sister Susie Calkin ran into the arms of Jesus on two strong, healthy legs. The wheel chair that she'd spent so much time in over the last several years and the hospital bed she lived in the last couple of weeks, where left behind as relics of an old life. Along with her worn body, with its weaknesses, ills, and limitations, she left behind everything that had physically slowed her down. Now, her body is as bright, cheerful, and full of life as her spirit has always been. I can only imagine how much she's enjoying walking around heaven right now. Did I say walk? Run! She's playing tag with children, fixing snacks for angels, and singing with the best chorus there is.
Yes, she will be missed. Missed by a family that loved her and has lived their lives planning on a great reunion in heaven. So for them, this is only a temporary separation. She will be missed by scores of little children who loved her smiles, her songs, her lessons, and her goodies that she and her sister Stephanie always brought to everything they did. She will be missed by a church family who loved her, prayed for her, and desperately wanted to see her healed, but who have to let go and let God have her for now. There's an empty space in our hearts, on our praise team, in our Children's Ministry, and in our play rehearsals. In fact, I feel confident that one of the first things Susie said to Jesus was "You've got to see the play we're doing at your church in June!"
He will. So will Susie.
Thank you Father for another beautiful light that shined in our life and will never be forgotten.

8 comments:

Deborah said...

What a sweet lady. I'm so sorry for Forissant's loss, but I'm happy for heaven's gain.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Mike for your kind comments. Susie was an awesome sister!!

N.R. Kehn said...

Thank you Mike for this. Susie was a sweet and wonderful lady here on Earth. That's just one more reason to finish the race well; so we can be reunited with those who've fallen asleep.

Elizabeth said...

I'm so sorry to hear...I know how much she will be missed by you and mom and all her family at Florissant.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the wonderful acknowledgment of Susie and how special she was to everyone. She was my best friend and I'm going to miss her so much! Thank you for writing what you did so that others can catch a glimpse of what a special friend, sister, daughter and Christian she was. I'm so happy that she now has the best praise team spot there is!

Anonymous said...

It is sad to hear of Susie's passing. She was such a sweet lady. I am sure she has her wings now and is having a hard time deciding on running or flying. May God bless her and her wonderful family.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for acknowledging Susie. She was my best friend and sister. I loved her very much. She took her disabilities and medical conditions with such grace and dignity. God and Jesus are rejoicing to have her and she is probably overplanning (and baking cookies) for the banquet that we will all enjoy someday!

Anonymous said...

Our goal in life, in addition to walking with Christ, should be to have a heart at least half as big as Susie's...

If our heart's were at least half the size of hers, what a wonderful world we would enjoy.

God, welcome her with open arms and touch our hearts with peace as we miss her so.