Our sister, Amy’s obituary gives the nuts and bolts of her life, but it doesn’t begin to describe the real Amy- the daughter, sister, wife, aunt, or friend that she was to us.
Amy’s life started in a special way with her birth on Christmas Day, 1964. She was a beautiful healthy baby with parents and 2 sisters who were totally delighted with her. Unfortunately, early on it was evident that she was not the healthy child we all assumed her to be. After being ill many times, Amy was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 6 months, and our world was turned upside down. Doctors and nurses became not someone only seen for a yearly checkup, but a constant presence in her life. Often times, they became close friends that she stayed in touch with through email and Facebook.
In many ways, Amy was the perfect patient. Even as a very young child, she didn’t fuss about taking the nasty medicine she had to eat mixed in with applesauce or mashed potatoes before every meal or sleeping in her mist tent every night. Her sweet personality served her very well as she followed the advice of her health care providers and did whatever they asked her to do.
CF was a very real part of her life, but it didn’t define her. Mom and dad could have put her in a “bubble” but they ddidn’t They allowed and encouraged her to live a normal life. She played summer ball, was in 4-H, took piano lessons, rode her bike, swam in the pond, had play dates with her friends, rode the 3 wheeler, and was active at church. She even played the flute and marched with the band. Most people probably had no idea what a miracle and blessing it was for her to do all this because she never complained when she didn’t feel well or used her illness as a way to avoid things she didn’t want to do.
A sweet, nature- loving boy entered her life when his dad became the preacher at our church. Sparks flew early on between Robert and Amy and by the time they graduated from high school, it was evident they were a match. They were married June 14, 1986, and Amy could not have had a better husband. Robert loved her so well! He encouraged and supported her in whatever she wanted to do and we never heard him complain once as he became, not just a husband, but also joined Karen as her primary caregivers when her medical condition worsened.
He helped her live a fun and exciting life as they traveled all across the United States, including tent camping across the west with Karen and Kim and, most recently, gator riding with Brian, Melissa, and Cameron in the mountains of West Virginia this past summer. She even went parasailing once, something her scaredy- cat older sisters have never done! They spent many happy weekends camping at camp “Could-a-Guy” with the Griffeths and Kellers. Robert also shared her willingly with her closest friend, Amanda, as they antiqued and shopped till they dropped.
Even though Amy and Robert were unable to have children of their own, Amy was a baby magnet. She was crazy about her nephews, nieces, and the children of her friends, and the feeling was mutual. Most recently, she showered love and attention on her 4 great nieces and the Carr grandchildren. I’m guessing she is rocking babies in heaven now.
A book could be written about her medical history, and we’re sure her doctors learned much through her struggles that they will use to help others. God brought her back from the brink of death many times and we are so grateful for the extra time with her that He granted us. She was eternally grateful to the donor whose lungs she received almost 19 years ago.
Amy was a walking miracle and such an encouragement to others suffering with medical conditions. We saw her smiling face and kind words uplift others many times. We are comforted and delighted that she was able to donate her eyes and someone else is seeing the world through them today. We hope God uses them to make a difference in the world.
Amy’s life is an example to all of us of how to wring the best out of the good days and face the difficult ones with dignity and strength. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed until we join her in heaven.
Beautifully written 🙂 it sounds like she was a lovely woman, inside and out. A good friend of mine has a 5 month old baby girl with CF and I pray she grows up with a similar spirit 🙂
Susan, this was an absolute joy to read my dear. Amy is what we all wish we could be. Brave, beautiful, joyful and full of life. I am so sorry for your loss. In reading this, I see that she will always live on in everybody whose life she touched.This sister tribute will surely stay with me and I will think of Amy when hard things come.
sending hugs to you….
Now I understand what happened… still sad for you and praying for comfort. Bless you all in the coming days.
Very well said Susan.
Suasan, that was beautiful. It shows a sister's love .I remember you girls when you were younger…. I was family then and we used to come out to visit. My memories are of Amy in that tent looking so little, My heart goes out to Teddy and Alice and sisters and husband.
Susan what a fantastic tribute to Amy. I'm so glad that we got to spend time together growing up. Amy will be greatly missed.
What a lovely tribute to your beautiful sister. Thank you for sharing her with us. I am praying for all of you-may you all feel held and kept by Jesus.
Amy was such a blessing. We have missed seeing her recently. Ted did such a wonderful job with her service. He reminded us not to grieve for a long time but to be grateful Amy is in heaven worshipping Jesus.
I know its so hard to see things the way Christ sees it. This being Amys graduation into sweet eternity., but I pray the comfort and peace the Holy Spirit brings sufficient for all the family and dear friends remembering Amy at this time. Susan your touching words of your sisters life are so heartfelt and precious. Thankyou for sharing them and God Bless you all.
Susan…you honored Amy with a wonderful tribute…I see how much you and everyone loved her. She will live in your hearts forever not only as a loving and strong lady…but an inspiration to you and all of us reading. Thank you. I'm sending love and prayers.
Jane x
Dear Susan, I'm so sorry that you have to mourn the death of your dear sister. It doesn't matter if you 'knew' that she may not live long into adulthood. The fact still hits like a ton of bricks. She sounds like such a fun person, and you know, those kinds of people don't grow on trees.
Thank you for telling me about her. I will pray for you and your family as you walk these sad days. God bless you, and comfort you with the knowledge that she is rocking those babies in heaven.
Blessings,
Ceil
I am so sorry to hear of your loss
I am glad you got to see all the beauty of your sisters life
Brett
What a beautiful remembrance of your sister. So sorry for your loss. So glad you have the hope of heaven and seeing her again.
Oh Susan, what a lovely tribute to your sister. I love hearing of her zest for life despite her health issues – a lesson we can all learn from. It sounds like the blessing she was here on earth will provide a lifetime of warm memories for those who loved her dearly. Prayers for you all as you walk the road of healing from her loss – so thankful we can look forward to seeing our loved ones again one day.
Susan, I truly feel Amy's
sweet and indomitable
spirit through your words.
They way she lived life is
something everyone can
learn from. I'm so terribly
sorry for your loss and the
loss of those who knew and
loved Amy. Your positive
outlook about how she continues
to help others through organ
donation (and the wonderful
life that she led) really inspires
me. Thank you, and thanks
for sharing your Amy with us.
xo Suzanne
I didn’t know this until Debbie mentioned it to me recently, Susan. I am sure she is enjoying heaven and aren’t we sometimes jealous when someone we love so much bears us there? But someday at that great reunion we will see her there. I enjoyed your beautifully written tribute.
Bev- You would have loved Amy, too. I am so happy for her that she is finished with suffering and enjoying HOME! Thank you so much for reading and commenting. It means a great deal to me!