We miss you!

This morning Aunt Melinda died. She's only 57. It wasn't long ago that we found out about her skin cancer. She's been fighting tirelessly, it's attached her limbs, her heart, her brain, and now her very life is stolen from her.

The last Massanutten (Howard family reunion) that I was home for, I was engaged to Andrew. Not many family members had met Andrew and some were concerned about his character. Aunt Melinda told me emphatically to marry whoever I wanted to marry. Aunt Melinda is confident and funny and speaks her mind. I love hearing her talk. She shares her opinions with such humor and absolute matter of factness. Aunt Melinda is a master at making up words. I remember visiting her home and being touched by how much she loves and is centered around her family. Her fridge and walls were decorated with cards and pictures from nieces and nephews, some recent and others from ages ago. Earlier this year, amidst trips to the hospital for chemotherapy, Aunt Melinda sent me three children's cds to enjoy with Zeke and Tazara. She posted them all the way to New Zealand followed up by a loving note and emails. When they didn't arrive with the first sending, she did it all over again and then rejoiced in my delight over the wonderful music.

What are Uncle Kevin and Calicoe and Jerimee going to do without Aunt Melinda?! How is Grandipop going to handle losing his daughter? Grandimary has been so often by her side for the last weeks and months. What about Aunt Pamela- her only sister?! How is Papa doing with the death of his little sister? Crying won't bring her back but it hurts not to cry. Oh God comfort them.

Last night I had my last class of the year. I taught for thirty minutes on the book of Job. For the last couple months I've been studying Job, trying to make sense of this story God gives us about a man's immense suffering. I've learned that Job needed an advocate and a defender against his relentless adversary. Aunt Melinda too has had a relentless and cruel adversary. She also has a defender and an advocate. I don't know why God didn't heal her in this world. I don't know why the enemy was allowed to take so much...but I do know the battle is over. And God has won. I know that God loves Aunt Melinda worlds more than I do and that she is happy and whole in heaven with Him. Aunt Melinda stands holy, righteous, pure, spotless, beautiful, healthy, loved and cared for. Not because she was a wonderful Aunt (though she was) or a perfect person (she wasn't) but because she hoped and rested in Christ's mercy and love.

We love and miss you Aunt Melinda!
It's hard being here with you gone.
your niece,
Eden