How Do You Measure a Life

How do you measure a life? That's the question that has been going through my mind since I learned of the death of a dear friend. I have only known Pat for a few short years but I feel as if I have lost a friend that I have known all my life.

I met Pat when we came west to take up our appointment at Crestmont. She was the officer who volunteered to meet the new officers and make sure they got the keys to home, office, and vehicle. She did all that, and more. She was kind and helpful and easy company. I discovered in Pat someone who liked to be helpful, who liked to be needed.

Pat was also adventuresome. I had been talking to her about Maine and our family get togethers and was excited about getting together once again and invited her to join us on the spur of the moment. To my surprise she accepted the invitation. Pat joined our family (and extended family) in a small lodge on Sebago Lake. She "fit" right in and joined in the family "chaos" of games, meal preparations, chores, beach time and pudgie pies.

I often called Pat my 'good luck charm' because everytime I took her with me on a shopping trip I seemed to find just what I was looking for or better. The reality is that Pat was a blessed women. I discovered just how blessed during her time of transition into retirement. Pat, had wanted to buy a place of her own that had never been lived in. As we looked through a few places we came across one that she loved and wanted to buy. Unfortunately, her finances would not allow that at the time. But when retirement finally came she found a place that was almost an exact copy of the one she could not purchase earlier and it was also in the same neighborhood.

Pat was very much appreciated by the the foreman of the construction project at Crestmont. He had an appreciation for this woman who had dedicated her life to service in the Army. So much so that when she retired he made sure that all was well with her new home and even built her a small storage shed. God certainly blessed her during her transition into retirement.

In retirement, Pat was facing the ordeal of a recurrance cancer and was feeling somewhat sorrowful at the approaching battle. Perhaps the Lord chose to continue his providential care for her and bring her Home so that she need not face that battle but receive total healing and comfort in His eternal presence. I like to think so even though I an going to miss her like crazy.

Pat loved to collected pigs. While on vacation this summer I found a small glass pig--with wings--filled with flecks of gold in an art gallery on the Oregon coast. I bought it and intended to give it to Pat as a reminder that she is loved and that I am there for her if needed. Instead, it has become a precious reminder of my friend who is now living with the angels.

Pat, thanks for being my friend. I'm going to miss you.