Here we are. Right where we knew in our souls we might be one day, but where we prayed and prayed we wouldn’t be. Doing life without Kara.
Grief is strange. Some days I function almost normally. Other days, the simplest thing will bring me to tears. At times, it’s as though a dam has broken inside of me that may never be patched. I compare my grief to others and I’m left confused. Why are they doing it that way and I’m doing it this way?
From an article originally posted August 28, 2012…
Thank you for believing in this beat-up couple from North Carolina. Thank you for seeing in my guy what I have seen for years. Thank you for championing our youth and seeing the gospel in my husband. More than that, thank you for believing the gospel. Truly living and believing the gospel of grace and week after week delivering the truth of that grace to the blessed congregation at Village 7 Presbyterian.
For months I held my breath every morning when I looked at my phone, anticipating an update about Kara. Each glance held its own grace. If there weren’t an update, all was well, or at least the same. If there were an update, I inhaled each word as it took me inside the sacred walls of the Tippetts’ home.
From an article originally posted August 23, 2012
I have been a bit absent lately. Chemo is a bear, and just as I think I’m feeling better I take a hit. The other day a friend posted on Facebook, I hate cancer! I went on to espouse the good I have found in cancer. The many lessons, the care, the depth in friendship, but I’m a big liar. I hate it, too. I really hate it. Though I don’t think it was a mistake and I truly believe we will grow very near to Jesus through this terrible season, I’m done over spiritualizing. I am, in fact, going to fight for a right attitude and kind spirit toward my family and friends.
The other night, some of us gals met with Carl Nelson to process our grief together. Even though I was the one who initiated this and asked Carl if he could spend time with us, I was not prepared for what I encountered.
I’m not sure what I expected—maybe some tears, Kara stories, ways we see her legacy continuing. But instead, after listening to our hearts, Carl gently encouraged us to think about how to meet each other in our grief, how to pursue grieving friends in ways that will encourage and make sense to their hearts.
