I know that everyone is probably sick of hearing about it last month, but a friend who I loved dearly passed away at the age of 52 last week after a 5 year battle with breast cancer. I also had a sweet mission friend who passed away from breast cancer at the young age of 24. So this post if for you Joette....
I went to the graveside service this morning on the other side of town and was greeted by friends from College Station. I listened to the sweet and kind words that were said about this woman who touched my life in such a short time. I doubt she ever knew how much I admired her and her family. She leaves behind two beautiful daughters that I know she is smiling down on. I will always treasure the dance we chaperoned together and talked all night long. She inspired me to be a better friend and woman. It made my day that her daughter, who I was her YW leader, remembered me by name this morning. I was so impressed that she had decided to serve a mission. I know her mom is smiling about that one. I was so inspired by a husband who had just lost the love of his life and he stood before us and testified how much he loved the Savior and that they all knew they would be together forever. He quoted her favorite scripture, " And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 He gave the context and how important it is for us to choose to serve the Lord. He knew it, Joette knew it, and I could see her daughters knew it.
She gave a class on breast cancer awareness and inspired a woman to get a mammogram-it saved this mother's life because she caught it early. She spoke this morning about Joette being her angel. I always respected this woman when I was young-she may never know it-but I still have a dress she handed down to me for Kelsey when Kelsey was only two-I am glad to know that Joette touched her life in a profound way and that we have those memories to share.
I hope that at the end of my life, whenever it may be, that my children will remember me the way these daughters did. I know I need to do more to be a better mom to them and teach them in all ways of the Lord. I need to serve others and love more fully. I need to see the needs of those around me and lift another soul up.
Life is short-let us not be focused on the things that don't matter-he said/she said or body image or keeping up with the Jones or being self righteous. Joette lived her life to share the love she had for the Savior with everyone and made sure that in all that she did His image was reflected in her countanence. I may not have seen her in 4 years, but she will always be on my list of heros and mentors as I walk this gospel path and hope that all that she taught me will be seen in my actions.
PS. I loved seeing Suzanne, and Diana, and Beverly and being reminded that we will always have a home in College Station. Hopefully we will make it back there one day.
It is a circus around here-with our 4 clowns that make us laugh!! But it is MY circus!
2 comments:
I was doing a google search for old friends this morning and was shocked to find Joette's obituary listed in the Boerne Star. Then I found your site with your wonderful tribute to her. I am so saddened. Joette and I were friends in High School at Spring Woods and we hung out together at The University of Houston. We corresponded off and on over the years, but lost touch about 10 years ago. I just cannot tell you how broken hearted I am to find that she has passed away. I knew she was a wonderful person and it is so awsome to know that she was so loved.
I'm posting this 4 and a half years after Joette's death. It's taken me this long to learn about Joette's passing. I am having a hard time dealing with her death. Your post has really helped. My last memory of Joette was seeing her and one of her daughters in the BYU bookstore about 10 or 11 years ago. At the time, we didn't speak. I was a bit shocked to see her and I assume she was shocked to see me. But seeing her and a child that was so obviously hers told me volumes about what had happened in her life to that point in time. I knew she remarried, but I didn't know anything else. I didn't even know her last name until I found her father's obituary. I didn't know anything about her activity in the church. THanks for helping me fill in the details. I am sad that she had to go through the hell of cancer, but I am so happy that she was warmly loved by John and her daughters.
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