Encore: an inspiring love story

In the coming weeks, I will be re-posting some of my favorite posts from the past six years on this blog. Yes, I have had this blog for nearly SIX years! I have revisited some of these posts lately. It is interesting to me how much life has changed. For those who are new around here, it will give you a glimpse of the journey. I am calling this series "Encore." If you'd like, you can vote on your favorites.


Best of 2006
Here is one of the nominees from January 2006. I was single and living in Kansas City at the time. Days before writing this post I had attended the funeral of a 27 year old newlywed.

There is a couple at my church that demonstrated love in ways I cannot comprehend. He was in his mid-twenties when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer. They had their first date after he started the chemo treatments. In October 2005 they were married. The cancer took him in January 2006. I attended the funeral two weeks ago today.

I don't understand why he had to die at 27 - that is too young. He bravely fought the cancer. Inspite of everything, he remained transparent and honest. I can't remember a time that I asked him how he was doing and he didn't reply with a genuine answer. I don't understand how either of them had the courage to love, knowing it may only be for a short time. Though I don't understand it, I find their story inspiring.

Below is an excerpt from his eulogy:

Cancer is not kind to the person who suffers from it, but there are some things it can’t do. It cannot…

• Cripple love.
• Shatter hope.
• Corrode faith.
• Eat away peace.
• Destroy confidence.
• Kill friendship.
• Shut out memories.
• Silence courage.
• Invade the soul.
• Reduce eternal life.
• Lessen the power of the resurrection.

I aspire to posess just a portion of their trust in God and their love for each other.