Grandmother Garrett & her grandchildren

Do you ever think of the people who have made a difference in your life? I mean....a real difference. Sure there are those who have left memories (both good and bad) and those people will not be forgotten. But I believe there are a few people who truly help to make us better. I have to tell you about one such person in my life...my mother-in-law, Thelma Garrett. For the first seventeen years of my married life, she and her husband shared their lives together. They were hard-working, honest, Christian people who lived a very simple life. Together they raised four boys. During the late 70's she fought a battle with breast cancer and survived. In the mid-80's, my father-in-law was diagnosed with ALS and died in 1989. During those years of caring for him she remained strong. Some time after his death she called us and asked us to come by one night. It was then that she told us that she had another tumor. She chose not to tell anyone because she knew that she should take care of Granddaddy (her husband). By this time, it was so large and was inoperable. However, through prayer, chemo & radiation, she lived for almost ten more years. During those years her lifestyle continued as normal as possible. Yes, she lost her hair....the chemo zapped her energy....the treatments caused her pain and numbness in her hands and feet at times, but she continued to go to church & do for others. I never saw fear in her life (other than storms). She put her trust in God and knew that He would take care of her in every situation. During her last months she told me, "My body tells me to go to bed but my head tells me if I go to bed I won't get up." She didn't go to bed until the last few weeks of her life. She continued to go and give to others.......not monetary....but by example. I know that she taught me so many things. I hope I can pass some of these on to my children.