Yes, Virginia, She Knew

It has only been one week. 

One week since I was given the privilege of learning about someone facing terminal cancer, facing her own mortality and all that went with it - especially leaving this world with her beautiful 7 year old daughter in it.

One week since DGMS family member Debbie came to me with her story and the question if Yes, Virginia could make room to help this mom in her final days with acute needs, with last gifts she could give to her daughter, with items to comfort her in hospice.

One week since I was connected by Debbie with this woman's dear friend named Kat, who has been the kind of person we should all be so lucky to have in our worlds when our worlds go seriously off balance.

One week since I was given permission to share the story with you, to ask for your help through donations.  One week to move as fast as possible to ask questions about what the daughter loves, to shop for things to help ease the way for the mom, to provide gift cards to help in covering current and upcoming expenses like the daughter's 8th birthday in February.

During the first 24 hours of my writing about them, you all stepped up as you always can be counted on to do - with heart, soul, incredible compassion for someone you will never know.  To say I know unconditional love and trust through your actions is an understatement.  And thank you are two woefully small words for what I feel.

During this past week I have been allowed to read updates the mom had been making for her circle of friends.  Yesterday morning Kat shared the latest one with me.  Through them all shone a spirit that has humbled me to my core.  She was upbeat but reconciled.  She was positive but knew.  And she was far more concerned about everyone else than she was about herself.  Right up to yesterday when she was asking what she could do for them.

I know we can never know how we would each respond in the same scenario, but I don't know that I would be possessed of such grace, such beauty, such emotional philanthropy.  I selfishly look upward and hope I never have to find out.

One week.  When I wrote last Sunday introducing you to her story I said that she was not expected to make it to Christmas.  Even typing the words and being privy to details, my mind did not fully wrap itself around that. 

But none of us knows how much time we have, even when we know we are going to have less than other people.

She passed last night.

I am allowed to share with you that she did get to spend time with her daughter this past week.  That she was lucid and was able to celebrate Hanukkah with her.  I am also allowed to tell you that she did, in fact, know about you, about Yes, Virginia.  And that "she was blown away by the kindness of strangers and all of the love that was being shown to her and her daughter." 

I sit here in tears for an incredibly brave woman I will never know personally, for her young daughter who will be surrounded by those who will insure she grows up remembering her mother and how extraordinary she was, for Kat and all her friends and family who have lost a shining, wondrous spirit.  And my tears are also because of you and this amazing blog family who think first and foremost with your hearts.

Yes, Virginia, she knew what you had done.  And now, with permission from Kat, I want you to know her name.  

Please take a moment and send a thought, a prayer, a wish into the ether for her, her daughter, and all who must now move forward with only their memories of an extraordinary, vibrant, selfless woman who was taken far, far too soon.  A woman, a mother, a friend named Rachael.

Comments

[Kat]

I don’t have adequate words right now to express my gratitude to you, Linda, and all the amazing members of the DGMS community. Rachael was a fierce, loyal, and brave human, mother and friend. Those of us who knew and loved her are heartbroken that her time here ended so soon, but also thankful that her final days were spent pain free and surrounded by such unconditional love and support from so many. From the bottom of my broken heart, thank you all. ❤️