Last Night We Lost a Dear Friend

Rich and Sharlyn Goss have been good friends for almost nine years. We have attended the same church and been in small group together for six years. Several years ago Sharlyn a retired elementary school teacher got pretty sick and her doctor treated her for pneumonia. Unfortunately, after she failed to respond to treatments, it turned out to be far worse, and a diagnosis of very advanced lung cancer. The news was devastating, how could it be lung cancer, Sharlyn never smoked.

She and Rich cried but got over the initial shock and saw a very good encologist at Kaiser hospital. Sharlyn went through extensive chemotherapy and lost her hair. She was always upbeat and positive. She was always chipper, always more concerned about her friends than the battle she was fighting. Everyone who knows her and Rich, knew her strength came from above. She knew, no matter what, and when her time came, she would be home with Him. She was given eighteen months to live over two and a half years ago and she lived each day with a smile and a laugh. Getting as much visiting with friends and family in as she could cram into every day of every week.

She lived to see her second granddaughter born and both of her grand daughters were the joy that lit her face whenever they were around. I am sure that when she was a teacher for all those many years, she had the same joy in her face with her charges. She lived to share a big Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, and she enjoyed another great Christmas with her grandchildren, and family.

Cindy and I went over to say goodbye  to Sharlyn on Sunday afternoon. The Morhpine she was given allowed her to relax and breath the oxygen she was on and though it made her drowsy, she could still respond "I love you too" when we talked to her. We hugged Rich and spent some special moments with him before we left.  Last night Rich called to let us know that Sharlyn had a peaceful passing while the pastor was visiting and praying with the family at her bedside.  Those were words we didn't want to hear, but we know she is no longer gasping for breath, and she is whole again in heaven. Happy to be with her heavenly Father. Rest in peace dear friend, we know you have added to the joyful voices in heaven.