This week's story is from Stacy
Peck, Production Coordinator for The LCMS Foundation. Stacy serves God as
a proofreader and editor, the watchdog who keeps creative types on track and
on schedule, and one who keeps an eye on the details. Here she shares her own
creative gifts as she tells us about a remarkable woman with a huge heart and
a giving spirit.
Editor's note: Stacy submitted this story on Friday, October 18. That
same weekend, her friend Sara went home to her Lord.
Sara is very possibly the most alive person I’ve ever known. A few years ago, Sara’s body was invaded by a particularly arrogant form of the beast we call “cancer”. She has fought long and hard and won many battles along the way, but the cancer has gained the upper hand and the end of the war will come any day now.
Sara has been a teacher for many years, teaching art to grade school students for most of that time. In fact, when I was in high school I spent one period each day at a local elementary school serving as her teacher’s aide. I can’t help but smile even today as I think back to some of the lessons she taught me.
Due to her illness, Sara hasn’t workied for a while now, but for a time last year she felt well enough to eagerly accept a request to substitute teach a first grade class whose own teacher was out on medical leave. Her husband was concerned about the effect a class full of energetic children might have on Sara, but she wouldn’t hear a word of it and informed him, “Just think of the good all those hugs and kisses will do for me.”
Unfortunately, Sara’s hugs and kisses were cut short when the cancer flared and sent her back to the hospital. One might reasonably expect her to be somewhat bitter about the situation, but she has a different concern. Sara has always been a master storyteller and was excitedly sharing some of her favorites with the children before she had to leave. “They never found out if I caught the leprechaun or not,” Sara explained sadly, “and I didn’t have a chance to tell them about Little Bunny Foo Foo.”
In addtion to teaching, Sara has always been very active in her church. In fact, she has served as chairperson of the same committee for nearly 15 years. She only recently talked to the pastor about resigning from that position because, in her words, “I want to give them time to train someone else while I can still help and answer questions.” “Give” and “help”...those ever-present words in her vocabulary are the core of her wonderful spirit.
Just being in Sara’s presence is truly humbling. Even now, in her final days in this world, her remarkable spirit shines through and, when Sara’s personal war finally ends, she will be the one who celebrates the Victory.