Angels

Sorry for not posting the past few months. I've just been busy growing this baby and things have been good - relatively uneventful. I will post more updates on baby soon.

For now, I want to add my tribute to the blogosphere about a dear friend, Sheri Bird, who passed away last night after a long battle with brain cancer. You know that someone made a big impact on the world when you think you had some sort of "special" relationship with this person that no one else had. Come to find out, everyone feels this same way. I am quickly learning (and to no real surprise) that Sheri was everyone's second mother, everyone's best friend, and everyone's cheerleader. She was always that for me and I am really going to miss her.

Thinking about home isn't quite the same without imagining Sheri stopping by, dropping off fudge, decadent desserts, her spunk, and her contagious laugh. When we moved to Spokane 17 years ago, Sheri and her family were the first to take us in under their wing. She made a difficult move bearable and the Birds quickly became an extension of our own family.

Sheri taught us so much after her husband Keith died about 7 years ago. One thing I will always love about her is her uncanny ability to be both stalwart and real in the most difficult of times. She was honest about the difficulty of losing her spouse, but in the next minute would bear her testimony about all she had learned and the blessings she had received. She did the same when diagnosed with cancer a little less than 2 years ago. She really lived by faith and was always teaching me in a way that I could actually identify with.

I have learned so much from watching Sheri and living in her shadow. I will miss her a lot. My heart also aches for her 5 children who, as you can imagine, have endured so much losing both of their parents so young. But one thing is certain, Sheri lives on in her kids as they each embody her many wonderful qualities. Watching them this past year take care of their mom and fight on her behalf has been inspiring. I am grateful to have been on the sidelines and learned so much from the Birds. They will always be extended family and I expect to see them at holidays, special occasions, and summer vacations from here on out.

For now, we find comfort in the plan of salvation and the sweet reunion Keith and Sheri are enjoying on the other side.

Thank you Sheri for everything. I will miss you till we meet again.