Imagine This: Corrie

On October 18th my beautiful sister-in-law Corrie went to heaven. I think about that morning every day. Andy called me after after he dialed 911... I could hear the dispatcher on the other line. It’s all kind of a blur now, but I called my mom and then ran upstairs to wake up my brother Jeff. I wouldn’t remember until the next day, but I called Corrie’s mom too. With the next call I received with some details about what had happened, and I fell to my knees in the dark of my living room and prayed like I’ve never prayed before. I pleaded with God to save her, that there would be a miracle, that what I’d been told was wrong, that He would be with Corrie, Andy, and Isaac. By the time Terry came to stay with Ella and I joined my mom and Corrie’s parents at Andy and Corrie’s home, I knew that Corrie… at least the Corrie that we knew, was gone… but I knew they needed to hold onto the little hope that was left. I thought of Jeff and Andy waiting in the ER, Andy's life forever changed... and of Isaac who would now grow up without his mom. Those were the most painful moments of my life.

God hears our prayers and answers them even if it’s not the answer we hoped for… while paramedics and police were all over their home and throughout the cries that could be heard once we received the final news… Isaac remained sound asleep in his bedroom… protected from all of it. Amazing… but nothing but the grace of God.

Corrie struggled with an illness that was difficult to control and understand... and in the end it took her life. She did everything she was supposed to do to make herself well. She didn’t feel sorry for herself and she had one of the strongest faiths I’ve ever known. She loved my brother and her family and she loved her little boy more than anything in the world. We are comforted by the the verse that Corrie had written in a couple places, Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Corrie trusted despite what she went through… so we must also trust.

I met and became friends with Corrie about 15 years ago when we worked together at a community clinic. My dad made comments at that time about Corrie and about how she would be a great girl for Andy. I even told Corrie once and she laughed. I lost touch with Corrie for a while but then started talking to her again when she returned to our hometown about 8 years ago. I introduced her to Andy after a Christmas program at her church (yes, the only reason I was able to get him to go was because I mentioned that Corrie would be singing that night!). They had their first date just weeks before our dad died and married in May of 2005. Corrie helped all of us get through the tragic loss of our dad, especially Andy. She said on several occasions that she was sorry that she hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know him. Now, they’re together in heaven. She’s buried next to him.

Corrie had a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She was a wonderful aunt to Ella and was an important part of her coming home to be a part our her family. She was artistic and she loved to sing. She took lots of pictures… I mean LOTS of pictures! She always searched for the perfect gift for everyone. She had such a giving heart. She had the ability to see through people… and saw the best in them anyway. I never had a sister but she had 6… she told me I could be her 7th sister. She was one of my best friends. Life isn’t the same without her.

Corrie’s ex-husband and Isaac’s dad, Scott, has been staying at Andy’s home since Corrie’s death. All I can say is… what the world could learn from them… by putting the past aside for the love of a child. It has been great for our family get to know Scott in the past few years and his family too in the past few months. I'm thankful that he, like Corrie, has allowed us the privilege to be part of Isaac's life. My youngest brother, Jeff, who had been living with us is also staying there. We call them 3 ½ Men.

We’ve made it through Thanksgiving, with the knowledge that despite what we’ve been through we have so much to be thankful for, this year and always. We had our first Thanksgiving without Corrie but also without our Grandpa “Toby” who passed away in July. For those who know us well, thank you for your prayers and kindness in the past several weeks. We are grateful for all of you. Please continue to pray for Andy, Isaac, and the rest of Corrie’s family during the upcoming Christmas season and the year to come.