There were different times when people would ask Sue what she felt was her greatest accomplishment in life.

Her answer was,

“Simply staying in the race.”

I can still see her focus and determination as she lifted one foot after the other, praying aloud as she laboriously walked, “Lord, make my steps pleasing in Your sight. Help me to walk in Your ways!”

In spite of her many afflictions, she walked this life with exuberant joy.

Exactly 6 months ago today, on a Tuesday the 13th, Sue Thomas triumphantly crossed the Finish Line.

It was about this time in the afternoon of that day when the doctors were telling me there was nothing more they could do. They had to call the rapid response team as she was going into hemorrhagic shock, but then she rallied and I had hope rising in my heart because this was Sue Thomas who always made a comeback. In fact, she loved calling herself “the comeback kid!”

I was insistent that they get a second opinion, then a third, and then even a fourth opinion from an on-call doctor, before I finally acquiesced. Meanwhile she was fading again.

I knew I needed to tell her there was nothing more the doctors could do. When I got her attention, she focused her eyes on my lips. She seemed a little stunned by my words but in a few moments I could see she was processing and then accepting it.

“You’re soon going to hear the angels singing,” I told her with tears. It was what she told her own mother when she was saying goodbye. I knew she would make the connection.

But then I impulsively spoke my own words from my own heart. “You’re going to Heaven now to be with Jesus. I want you to wait for me there, Susie, because I’m coming and I want you to show me all around.”

As I’m writing this, tears are pouring down my face.

You see, if you knew Sue, you know how much she loved to share the joys and beauties of life. When I became her traveling companion she loved showing me the world and treating me to new experiences.

She ran her race of life with endurance. But not endurance as if she just had to endure things, but she endured with joy. The kind of joy that multiplies and has to be shared.

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your Presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

I know that Sue believed that because she walked that path and lived it. In fact, she is still living it! Full of joy unspeakable and filled with glory.

Forevermore.

Wait for me, Susie, I’m coming, too! And I can’t wait for you to show me around!!!