missing you

I lost my grade school and high school best friend this week. She was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was 8 months old. If you don't know anything about CF, it affects the lungs...filling them with mucus till you pretty much drown. Julia had a double lung transplant while we were in Gr.8. I remember visiting her in the hospital and making funny videos for her to watch. Her first set of lungs lasted 5 years before she had her second transplant. While in high school she went for her second set of lungs, these lungs lasted about 7 years. She was hopeful for a third set of lungs but the doctors said she was not well enough.

Last year in Feb, I got a phone call that Julia was in the hospital again, she almost didn't make it.  I flew out to be with her for four days then had to come home to finish the practicum I was in.

She lived another year, it was not a wonderful year...more of a painful year for her. She was not well, but she fought for her life everyday. She was suffering in a way we will never know. But she was strong, she loved her friends and family, this was everything to her.

On June 1st her battle with CF finished. She will be so missed. She was one of the greatest friends anyone could've had. She was so loyal and compassionate. She would be lying in the hospital fighting to breath and be more concerned about the friends around her.

I really loved her. She was the first friend I had when I moved to Stratford in grade 7. Her house was my second home. I could go on and on about all the things we experienced together...but today I am so greatful that I knew her. My teen years would have been lost without her in them.

I am happy though, that she no longer has to suffer. No one should have to endure the pain she had to. I believe our God has special mercy on those who endure long suffering. I am sure her mansion has a few extra rooms!

But our hearts still grieve, she left behind many who loved her. She left a void...never to be forgotten.