Whole Again

Korrine was an amazing girl. Almost 11 months ago she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought a long, tough battle. Even when she was so sick, she always had her famous smile on and was telling jokes. Today Korrine’s battle ended. To some people, it might look as if she lost. However, I believe Korrine finally won her battle. You see, while she is no longer here, she is in Heaven. She no longer has cancer and she is no pain. Korrine has her strength back and is finally feeling like herself again. I bet Korrine is swimming and playing water polo in Heaven. Today Korrine was made whole. He made her whole

I loved Korrine so much. I have known her for as long I can remember. Her smile was present in every memory I have of her. Summer ’07 Korrine and I spent over a week together in Phoenix, Arizona on a mission trip. Throughout the 16 hour (maybe longer) car ride, Korrine sat behind me. She was so excited to be on a mission trip. Her laughter and excitement were contagious. Even though it was incredibly hot and we often got tired of all the work, Korrine was always optimistic. The love she had for Jesus was spread to many kids that week. Korrine didn’t stop there. Throughout her treatment Korrine had a blog that kept people updated of her progress. She didn’t hesitate to thank God for giving her the days she had. She led many people to Him through her blog.

Death is something very hard for me to understand. As I’ve watched love ones die, it hasn’t gotten any easier. The death of Korrine is another that I just do not get. She was so young. Her life was so short. Why such a sweet little girl? I know this is the best thing for her, but I still do not understand. I will never understand until the day I go Heaven. Another great person who died from cancer- my grandpa- once tried to explain it to me like this: “life is like a parade. The only part you see is what you are looking at that very moment. What has past you don’t remember very well and you have no idea what is to come or how it will end”. To humans, death is the worst thing that can happen to us. We just do not understand it. We don’t get why this is the “best thing”. One day I will understand why He took my friend Korrine when she was so young. One day He will explain it to me

Just Like Her

After a fun night of playing cars, making brownies, and tickling, it was finally time for my little buddy to go to bed. We got his pajamas on, brushed his teeth, and read some books. He knew it was time for lights out and began to think of anything that would keep that from happening. When he realized I am really good at playing that game, he started to cry. He cried and cried. I tried to calm him down for awhile and then I turned on his music and slipped out of the room. Knowing my little friend, and how much he wanted to play, I sat in the hallway quietly reading to make sure he wouldn’t get up to go to the play room. I remembered when I was the one being babysat, and how lucky I was to have such awesome babysitters.

Although I had a few babysitters, there was always one main one. I loved it when she came over! Summer days were filled with all kinds of fun because of her. We played charades, and “tea kettle” (aka sardines for you normal people); we went to the park, and we made play dough out of peanut butter. We did all kinds of cool stuff. I knew I had the best babysitter ever!
She was my babysitter, but I also considered her one of my very best friends. She came over so much she was more like an older sister too. I looked up to her so much. I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to light up the room the way she did when she came to my house.
Going to bed was something I remember not liking. I was probably so difficult to try to get into bed. When I was often still very wound up from playing, I remember her singing to me and rubbing my back. I loved the way it would calm me down. I loved when she sang me to sleep. I liked having her close to me so I also often asked if she would sit in the hallway and do her homework there so I knew she was there. Seeing her in the hallway gave me some sort of comfort. It seemed like she would do anything to make me happy.

Although I never ran away or locked her out of the house like my sisters did, I always hope I was good to her. I want her to have good memories with me when I was little. I think I am incredibly lucky to still see and talk to her quite regularly. She is still someone I look up to and admire so much. She selfless, funny, beautiful, smart, and can still light up any room. I want to be like her.