Danielle Luc Photography

Last Saturday morning I woke up to the  news that my beautiful friend Kelly went to her place of peace.

I met Kelly when we were 8 or 9 playing slow pitch softball.

I was blessed enough to rekindle that friendship over the last few years.  When I say blessed, I mean it truely.  She’s taken the path she was given head-on, with a smile that was larger than the sun – and with unwavering faith.  She always shared this with her friends on her facebook page, and her mother made it a point to tell everyone today at the funeral home that these were the words she lived by;

Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

When we got together for these pictures, it was five (yes 5) degrees outside. But she didn’t care, this was going to happen – she’d waited long enough! 

We did them two weeks before Christmas, and being the sweetheart she is, she grabbed some of my photos off facebook and made me a mousepad out of it as a thank you.  Don’t mind the cellphone picture, it’s all I can do right now.  I will always treasure it and the thought behind it, and will try to remember when I am working and frustrated or overwhelmed with my kids nagging at me while trying to do so, that there is a precious little girl out there who now only has her mommy in spirit.  When I work I am reminded of her kindness and determination to overcome whatever it was that needed to be overcome.

” and he will raise you up on eagle’s wings

bear you on the breath of dawn

make you to shine like the sun

and hold you in the palm of His hand “

I think for her family and friends right now there is a plethora of emotions – torn between the relief that she is FREE and healthy now, and between the fact the world lost one amazing woman,  friend, girlfriend, daughter, sister, and mother.  Man was she an awesome mom – please pray for little Jade and for her family, they need the comfort so terribly.

I dont think I ever took the time to say thank you to Kelly for all that she has taught me about life and what it means to really seize the moment.  In the months of time this transplant bought her, she truely got out there!  I will forever remember the phone call sometime shortly after her transplant. I saw her name on my phone’s caller ID and I picked up the phone and heard a squeaky little “hiiiii!!” and I just cried.  She spoke of her first breath on her own with her new lungs, and how the air just kept coming… and coming… and she was just so full. 

Be grateful for the deep breaths you take, and breath them in often. Treasure them.  We are so lucky to take them in.

Let nothing stop you.

Say thank you. Today – to someone you have thought to say thank you to, but haven’t.  Let them know.

Consider organ donation.  When we leave this earth, our bodies are free.  They are complete in our makers hands.  This gift of life is the greatest gift of all.

Please visit www.organdonation.gov for more information.

Here’s to you, Kelly Wagner.  You fought the good fight, and have won a place in His home with your Lord and Savior.

May angels lead you in

Hear you me, my friend.

xo