INSPIRASUNS

Many of you know that one of my best friends passed away several years ago from ALS. Page was simply an incredible woman. She was a master planner, she was elegant, she was loving, kind and she was a faithful woman of God. She cared about EVERYONE she ever came in contact with.

When Page was diagnosed with ALS after the grueling tests, you know, they do all the tests to rule out everything else, to decide that it’s ALS. Anyway, when Page was diagnosed, I will never forget her call that day. We were literally helping our daughter do her part for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which of course was all the rage that year. I sat on the curb as my youngest was dropping into a dunk tank filled with Ice and Water. I remember looking at her as Page simply said, “It’s ALS”. The irony was incredible.

Over the following months, Page went to work. In between the doctor’s appointments and the various alternative treatments she pursued she also discovered the answer to the ongoing question she would get every single day, “what can I do to help?”. Page asked only one thing of her friends and family, “Help me to help others battling this disease in our community.” We did just that.

Page’s friends and community came together to create Pages ALS Challenge. Our first event was a gala filled with music, food, raffles, prizes, etc. The community rallied around Page that night and the many, many days after and still supports the families and patients battling ALS locally. Page’s wish continues to be granted through the generosity of her friends, family, and community.

Tomorrow is the annual Walk to Defeat ALS in the community where Page was born and raised and helped so many. So many have come together to help so many. Page is at work for sure, I know that she’s probably up in Heaven planning, orchestrating, and making it all come together. More importantly, Father is at work. He brought his children together to rally around his children in need.

Over the years since Page’s diagnosis, Page’s ALS Challenge group has helped an incredible number of people. Family, friends, and patients with ALS have no idea where to even start. ALS is a 24/7/365 disease. It NEVER takes a day off. Our goal is to help those who don’t know where to begin. Our goal is to never have a family struggle with what to do next. We’re here to help and show them the resources at hand.

The afternoon that Page passed away, I walked in to sit next to her. She had already crossed over to the Father and I will never forget her face. You see ALS affects the muscles of the body. In the end, Page’s facial muscles made her look tense all of the time, which was so unlike her. She could barely smile, she couldn’t speak, and she couldn’t respond with natural muscular movements. However, that afternoon what struck me was how relaxed her face was. It was my dear friend, pre-ALS. Her face was simply beautiful, with no tension, no worries, just Page resting peacefully.

Father was there that day, he was there through the entire journey as Page battled ALS. We came together as friends, family, and a community. We lifted Page of course, but we lifted each other. Together we did what we could to help those in need. That, my friends is what Page asked.

I miss my friend dearly, but I know this, today she walks upright, with no chair, no limp, and she celebrates the joy of Heaven. We WILL meet again sweet friend. Know that I pray each day to be a little more like you.

1 John 5:4
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.