At Last, Mandy Can Run and Play

Location: Elkhart County Fairgrounds; Goshen, Indian

I have skipped posting on several places where I've been and things I've done over the last 10 days or so. I will get caught up on those in the next post. This post will be about Mandy.

Mandy is my niece. She passed away on August 2nd. Mandy had to fight for every breath she took from the minute she was born. The doctors told us she would not live very long, possibly only a few months. Well, she fooled them and live to be just shy of 35 years of age before passing away. Mandy was born with problems to the brain which created additional complications to her physical condition. She never learned to walk, talk, feed herself or take care of any other personal needs. She also never learned how to give a hug, although she received many throughout her life. 

Ever since her passing, I've been thinking about the things she never experienced. Normal things that we all just take for granted. Things such as seeing a sunrise, walking barefoot in soft grass, smelling fresh flowers or drinking a cup of coffee while watching the rain clean the air. There are too many to list here but I've thought about things that I've taken for granted. I guess we all fall into that trap from time to time. Whether the things are as big as the Oceans and the Grand Canyon or as small as taking a normal breath, and whispering, "I Love You", we should always appreciate what we have been given. "Given" is the correct word since our lives and the things in it are a gift from God. I can't answer why he gave Mandy all of her afflictions but I also can't answer why he gave any of us the things we have received, only God knows. 

About 10 days ago, God took Mandy home. I'm sure her Granny and Pa, my mother and father, were there to greet her. I like to think she ran, ran really fast, into their open arms and gave them a big tight hug. A hug that was 35 years overdue, but a hug that will last forever. 

Ya'll take care of each other. I'll Cya down the road.