Our cup runneth over...

In December of 2009 Buff painted his shoes pink, we all donned shirts that stated "I wear pink for my mom/sister/daughter/friend...," and we gathered with many of you all at the American Legion for a benefit for Tammi.

It was a hard thing for her to do, but those were the days before the Affordable Care Act, where parts of her life-sustaining treatment could be and were denied by her insurance. Facing an enormous medical debt, she consented to one of her greatest cheerleaders, Angela, who wanted to throw a party for her. And party we did!

In the days after the event, I remember Tammi quoting Psalm 23 over and over again. She kept saying, "my cup runneth over...my cup runneth over..." She was overcome with emotion seeing so many people coming to celebrate her, to love on her, to give to her. Tammi was much more comfortable as the giver of care, than being the receiver. 

So I know that this week Tammi would have been completely overwhelmed by the sight of so many of you, accessorized in sparkle, at Faith Church to celebrate her life.  I can even hear her amused, slightly embarrassed, giddy laugh as the pews filled. And echoing in my mind are the words she used those years ago, "my cup runneth over." 

We wish it didn't. We wish there were no cards stacked on the table, and no flowers to fill the house. We wish we weren't still pulling glitter out of our hair from bedazzling her urn and sparkling her photo frames. We wish that tonight we were throwing the party we had planned, to celebrate Tammi's one year anniversary of living with this diagnosis. 

But this is where we are instead. And if we have to walk through this valley, we are incredibly grateful we aren't doing it alone. We are grateful that the woman who loved you all so much is being celebrated and remembered in love herself. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity, your love, your stories of Saint Tammi. 

Thank you's will come eventually, and until then, we pray you know how incredibly grateful we are. So throw some extra sparkle around tonight, and cheers the coming of a new year. And while you do, give thanks for those you love, knowing we're giving thanks for you.