Until We Meet Again

This post is to honor my good friend Heidi (Black) Wright.  She passed away this morning after a long and valiant fight.  She has been a example of strength, courage, and faith.  Heidi's influence will always be with me and I know I will never forget the lessons I've learned.

I met Heidi Black in high school.  We hung out with the same group of friends and became friends.  Heidi was in the group of friends that helped me to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  These friends were great examples and supported me through a major transition in my life.  I have always had a special place in my heart for Heidi and my other church friends.

I believe as we have grown older my appreciation and admiration of Heidi has increased immensely.  As we have gone through our own struggles (Heidi's far greater than my own) I have learned from her positive attitude and focusing on what is important in life.  She has taught me how to be strong and continue to have faith.  She never gave up and fought until the very end.

It has been difficult watching Heidi go through life's challenges and I am amazed at her strength and determination.  I don't think many others could of handle her pain and trails in a more graceful and positive way.  Over the past several years she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment and surgery.  After being in remission for about a year she discovered a brain tumor.  She underwent more treatment and brain surgery.  Just when you think things can't get worse another brain tumor was discovered.  This tumor was in a location that was inoperable, so she began treatment all over again just to find out it was not helping.  In the meantime all of this treatment gave her terrible side effects and made her sick.  For her to battle through all of this (and this is the short-short version) and continue to have a smile on her face is amazing.

Not only did she have a smile on her face, but she lived life.  Since Heidi moved to Utah I have been following her blog and loving to watch her enjoy life.  She has made her family a priority and making many wonderful memories with them.  Heidi has made her time on this earth count and mean something.  I am glad for all the wonderful things she did and hope those memories will help her children through this loss.

As I think about this great loss and begin to grieve I recognize my pain is nothing compared to Heidi's family.  My heart breaks as I think about her husband, children, siblings, and parents.  I know they will feel this pain for along time and it will never completely go away.  As I think and pray for them I find comfort in the Plan of Happiness and knowing that this life is not the end.  I am grateful to have a loving and kind Heavenly Father that has provided a way for us to return home to Him.  I am also grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ that broke the bands of death and made it possible for us to live again.  I have a strong testimony that these things are true and during sad times like this that gives me comfort and peace.  I am glad to know Heidi has moved on to a place of peace and rest, but I am more grateful to know she will one day be reunited with her family.

Be at peace my good friend.  And may God be with you and your family until we all meet again.

Me and Heidi (I think back in the summer of 1996).

Me and Heidi being silly at a church dance.

High School Graduation - 1995 (lf-rt: Stephanie, Nanci, Me, Marisa, Heidi)