John 11:25 - “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
I first met Elaine when I came to this current job that I now have. She was a quiet, gentle soul and immediately I was drawn to her warmth. I do not know if she realized it, but her warmth radiated from her to everyone she came into contact with. And everyone in the company said the same thing about her, “she’s such a sweet and kind person.”
Elaine did her job each and every day, and after thinking about it, I am sure she was unaware of the impact her quiet and peaceful demeanor had on others. She called me Ms. Anne, and no matter what I needed and how burdened she was with work, she always found time to address my requests. We work in a highly stressed environment, not to mention fast paced but no matter what the situation, Elaine managed it with grace and always had a smile on her face. If she were having a difficult day, you would not know because she never showed anyone a bad face. I knew she had to be a Christian because I cannot imagine anyone outside of Christ handling what she oversaw with such grace, and I was right.
We developed a warm working relationship fast and our friendly interactions would mainly take place in the small kitchen, as they called it. I learned that she was from Jamaica, and on the occasions we met in the small kitchen, we always spoke about Christ. We had quite a bit in common because I myself am from the Caribbean. I do not know if you ever experienced what I experienced with Elaine, in that I gravitated towards her because of this one thing, the fact that we were both from the Caribbean. It is really nice to know that although our countries were different, the fact that we were both from the Caribbean gave me a sense of peace in our interactions, and our conversations flowed naturally. There were many mornings where we met in the kitchen
and we quickly developed a friendship.
It would be many months before we took our friendship to the next level. One freezing day I asked her, “what are you doing for lunch Elaine?” and she said that she brought something from home, but at the time, this was not what she wanted to eat. And I said, “Let’s go outside and grab something to eat.” She obliged willingly and we went. That particular day, it was frigid and as we crossed Park Avenue, I found myself gripping my coat and folding my arms in an attempt at getting whatever warmth I could muster, I looked at Elaine and I realized that she was also feeling the effects of the winter’s cold, and in that moment, I wondered if I had made the right decision. However, after a couple of minutes conversating with Elaine, I knew I did. She opened up about her
challenges, both personally and professionally. She told me that on the day her mother died she discovered that she received her cancer diagnosis and that it had been more than five years since she had been battling this demon. She said some days were good and some days were not so good. She confided that over the years she neglected her health and poured herself into work. She admitted that she could have been better at taking care of herself. She was also a caregiver to her mom so that took precedence. I learned a lot about Elaine in those brief moments, and I ministered to her as best as I could, but I could not help thinking how unfair life could be. Here was someone who gave her best, thinking less about herself and more about others, and she was dealt such an unfair hand. When we entered the store to get our food, she told me she only wanted one piece of chicken and nothing else. I asked, “are you sure Elaine, you’re just going to eat just the chicken?” She told me that she did not really have much of an appetite and this was all she needed. We left the store and headed back to the job. As we were walking back she said ever so quietly, “You know, cancer is such a horrible disease, I would not wish it on my worst enemy, and I do not have any enemies.” I said, I know what you are saying, having lost my own father to cancer and seeing the devastation it caused in his life and how fast it ravished his body.
As life would have it, Elaine started working from home shortly after our lunch outing. I retrieved her number from a co-worker and called to check in on her. She told me that things for her were declining and that most days, she was not feeling well. I told her I would stay connected and advised her to rest and not to worry about the job. I reminded her that her health was the most important thing right now. A few months after that she retired from the job.
I lost contact with Elaine, but I never stopped praying for her; that God in His infinite mercy would touch her fragile body and bring life and healing to a soul who deserved His mercies. On December 22nd , I learned that Elaine had passed on Saturday, December 20th. I was broken. This was news that I did not expect, and I certainly did not want to hear. But who knows that all is not lost because we serve a God, who is merciful and kind towards us, and in Psalms 116:15, it says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Although I was severely grieved because of Elaine’s passing, I still have hope. I have hope that I will see my sister and my friend again, that hope is not lost. I look to that hope, I look to that day when we will all be transformed, and we will leave this world of death, destruction, and wretchedness. Jesus has said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” This is our blessed hope and a promise of eternal life.
Elaine may have departed this world, but she has left us a legacy in the way she has lived her life. Never complaining despite her challenges, always smiling, always gracious and just an overall blessing in the lives of those she met. Let us look towards the great appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who will make all things new one day, and reunite us with those we have loved and lost.
Prayer:
Jesus, as we celebrate your birth in this season, help us not to lose sight of the reason you came to this world, and that is to bring life, everlasting life to all those who call upon your mighty name and who has given their lives to You. Help us never to forget that in you is life, everlasting life and we need only to trust and obey. Thank you for your sacrifice upon Calvary’s cross….amen.
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