Day 2 of the Back2Blogging Challenge

Today's assignment in the Back2Blogging Challenge is to Re-upload a past post I wish more people had read and explain why it was important to me.

This is a post I did as a tribute to my cousin, Trenda. She died on my birthday this past year. It was sudden and so unexpected. Her birthday is one month from mine. She went in to the hospital on her birthday in February, learned she had adenocarcinoma of the lung and passed away one month later.

I didn't pick this post to depress anyone, but I come from a large and close family. All my cousins and I grew up around each other. I'm a part of the older, or "first string" cousins. Trenda is also a "first string" cousin, but quite a bit younger than I. I guess the reason I wish more people had read it,was I just wanted to share with the world what a sweet life I had the privilege to know and wanted others to know also...

Trenda (Jones) Gude

When I first started my blog, it was my intent to have a haven. To escape the "seriousness" of life, to enjoy company of fellow "sisters", with a light hearted approach. But, loss makes you ever-so aware that life is not all laughs doesn't it?

Yesterday was my birthday. It was my intention to make it all about me, (being the princess that I am) and I was in the process of doing just that. Until... I got a call at about 3:35.

Trenda had just been diagnosed with lung cancer which was also in the lymph glands. She had never even touched a cigarette in her life and up until a couple of months ago had been the healthiest person I knew.

A fond memory I have of Trenda was when Paul and I were dating. Trenda would come over and sit between Paul and I on my mom's front porch swing. I couldn't get this kid to leave! I'd tell her I thought I heard her mom calling. "I don't hear her", she was quick to say. Then in another desparate attempt I'd tell her that I thought her mom wanted her to come home for supper. "Oh, she doesn't care", she'd say. I knew it was a losing battle, so there she sat, between my boyfriend and I!

Once, after I graudated high school, my best friend, Melanie and I thought we were all-grown-up and got an apartment in Tampa. I would stop by my mom's on my way home from work every evening (hey, what can I say, all my money was going for apartment rent! LOL). Trenda would come over, and one day she was crying and said "I miss you". I've never forgotten that. This little kid, with the tender heart, loved me.

As we got older we would tease each other, calling each other two different aunt's names. One particularly "bad perm" she got prompted me to call her a certain person's name, and she, in turn called me someone else in the family - and I won't say their names because they're still living...and innocent (smile). So began and continued our aliases...

I'd like to share what the last entry of Trenda's was on her facebook with you:

"Here comes Jesus, right on time! He is always faithful...has He ever failed you?

He sure hasn't failed me and He won't start now.

Praise His Name!"

A blood clot to the heart and in a split second she was in the arms of Jesus and had received her ultimate healing.

(Trenda on the left)

So, with tears in my eyes it's my turn to say, Trenda "I miss you".

Trenda in the forefront, and her father, my uncle, Eddie Jones who passed away August 2009. Both are enjoying Jesus now.




This is part of the Back2Blogging Challenge here: