My mother in law said it best when she said she can make sense out of many tragedies, but when a mother is taken from her children, she just can't make sense of it no matter how hard she tries. 8 days ago, my 35 year old sister in law (my husbands brothers wife) woke up early in the morning having a massive stroke. She was in good health, and this was completely unexpected. We thought she wouldn't make it. Who could survive something so severe? It was made known by the Doctors to Chris' brother that there was very little hope of survival. But Willa is a strong spirit, and within a short time, she was alert. She was talking. She was able to talk to her 4 beautiful girls. Chris would call his mom several times a day asking "How is Willa now?" and we would hear about how awesome she was doing. Wow. It felt miraculous. She even stood up with help and was able to remember every ones birthdays. Amazing. A few nights ago however, her brain began to swell and she started having seizures. The doctors did brain surgery, but it was not successful. The lords Will was finally being made known. The doctors explained that she would not survive and if she did, her quality of life would be extremely poor. Her brain was dying. They have done all they can possibly do.
She is still alive right at this moment, but within minutes, hours, or a few short days she will leave this world, and be with her father in heaven. A husband is devastated. 4 girls, ranging from ages 14, all the way down to 7 are heartbroken. How does the human spirit survive losing a mother? Especially a mother who loved her girls, and would do anything for them? A mother, who was truly hands on and put them first in her life? I didn't know Willa very well, because of the distance between us. But what I do know of her, and can say unequivocally, is that she loves her girls with every piece of her soul. That transcended in her every time I have ever spoken with her.
There's a talk that was given in General Conference by our Prophet President Monson that helps me to make sense out of something that just doesn't. It's titled "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." He spoke of an Author by the name of Robert Blatchford, and his book God And My Neighbor. Blatchford wrote "Death is not what some people imagine. It is only like going into another room. In that other room we shall find . . . the dear women and men and the sweet children we have loved and lost." I know that My Brother in law will see Willa again and she will see her lovely daughters again, and even though we don't know why she is gone, God does. And he has a purpose in everything. President Monson said in this same talk "To all who have lost loved ones, we would turn Job's question to an answer: If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth.
A mother will be missed. A wife will be missed. A friend, daughter, sister, aunt, etc. will be missed, but we will all see this beautiful woman again. God loves us all that much.
For now, we will be praying for healing of the heart, and most of all courage for Carl and his daughters to find joy until they see their beautiful Willa again.
