A VERY Sad Day

I am grieving today. My very dear friend Patricia "Trish" Antonas went home to be with the Lord this afternoon. I was honored and privileged to call this mighty woman of God my friend. You see it's a miracle we even were able to meet because 13 years ago she got very ill. The doctors decided to do emergency "exploratory" surgery to find out what was wrong and cut her from her belly button to her spine on one side. Not thinking she would live through the operation they weren't careful and cut all the nerves from her waist down on that side. They didn't know Trish or her husband Elias or their faith.
Trish not only lived through that ordeal, but eventually was actually able to walk a little bit with the aid of a walker. But two years ago she got sick again and never really recovered. A few days ago she got another infection and pneumonia and nearly died before getting to the hospital. It was one of many times that she nearly died. This time she just wasn't strong enough to make it through and now she's in the arms of a loving Father when she's not dancing with the angels.
I met Trish through her husband's ministry. Elias came to the church Steve and I were attending and did some meetings. Somehow Elias and Steve became friends and one day we went to visit them. Trish and I were instantly good friends! That was over 7 years ago. Since then there have been many visits and emails and phone calls. If you were someone who needed prayer and I knew about it, so did Trish. She couldn't hear very well and she couldn't walk but MAN could that woman PRAY!
I took this picture when she was in the hospital two years ago. She was missing her Cocker Spaniel "Sammo" and so I wanted to give her something soft to hug and love. I spied this gorilla in the hospital gift shop and knew it was the perfect gift for her. His tag said he was made in Glen Burnie Maryland so she named him Burnie. I believe this expression on her face says it all.

I will miss Trish very much. I already miss emailing her and saying "Please pray!" I miss her calling my husband "Party Boy" because she misunderstood something he said on the phone. I miss her laugh and her smile. But most of all I miss her prayers. However, I also rejoice in the knowledge that she's no longer suffering. I rejoice in the knowledge that someday we will spend eternity together in Heaven praising our beloved Jesus. I rejoice that she lived long enough so that we could meet and I could be blessed by her wonderful friendship. Thank you Trish for everything. I love you Girlfriend!