The start of 2012 began with my birthday which is always fun. And then quickly, it turned sad and stressful. A dear friend of mine, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan 5th. She was a single mom on disability raising an 11 year old boy who is friends with my son. They went to school and scouts together. I miss her a lot and still cannot believe Michelle is gone. She was in her early 40's and had lived with Lupus for a long time. Within the last 7-8 years she suffered 2 strokes which affected her ability to walk, stand and basically function. You wouldn't know it she had a debilitating disease by her spirit. Michelle was always smiling, happy and eager to chat. Her son Joshua is a remarkable young man who seems like a young man, since he helped take care of his mother for all these years.
These last two days, I've been scrambling to help raise money for her funeral costs. The funeral home has been extremely generous with waving their fees and only charging the cemetery cost but we still need $4,000.
I have to turn in what we have so far, to the funeral home this morning and we're only about 2/3 the way.
Please pray that the funeral home grants us one more day to come up with the difference. Otherwise, Michelle will be cremated and that was not her wish nor her son's.
Please pray for Michelle's best friend Jane, who is arranging all the details and taking care of her son. Jane is a mother of 6 already and loves Joshua as her own.
Please pray for Joshua that he is not uprooted from the family he knows.
Please pray for the repose of Michelle's soul. My dear sweet friend who I will miss!
Blessings,
Noreen
These last two days, I've been scrambling to help raise money for her funeral costs. The funeral home has been extremely generous with waving their fees and only charging the cemetery cost but we still need $4,000.
I have to turn in what we have so far, to the funeral home this morning and we're only about 2/3 the way.
Please pray that the funeral home grants us one more day to come up with the difference. Otherwise, Michelle will be cremated and that was not her wish nor her son's.
Please pray for Michelle's best friend Jane, who is arranging all the details and taking care of her son. Jane is a mother of 6 already and loves Joshua as her own.
Please pray for Joshua that he is not uprooted from the family he knows.
Please pray for the repose of Michelle's soul. My dear sweet friend who I will miss!
Blessings,
Noreen
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I hope you don't mind me passing this on. My prayer warriors are awesome!
ReplyDeletePeace be with you,
Shannon
Oh, Noreen, so sorry for your loss and all the stresses that come with that. That poor boy, prayers for him, so hard to lose his mama.
ReplyDeletePrayers coming your way. Happy Birthday--God bless you!
We lifted this up at Prayer Group tonight. And I will keep this in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI will pray, Noreen. May God bring comfort to everyone mourning the loss of Michelle, and may He look after everyone and everything perfectly.
ReplyDeleteAnd may God bring you many blessings in the coming year.
Thank you Shannon, Jamie, Mary and Sue!! The more prayers the better to help Michelle and Josh!
ReplyDeleteGood news!! We raised over the amount needed to give Michelle the burial she and her son wanted!! More left over to put aside for Josh!
Concerning news is that the guardianship issues may not go the way Josh would like and what's ultimately best for him. At least in our eyes but God may have other plans.
Oh my goodness, Noreen! You have been through so much, lately. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Michelle. Praise God for your recent news about having plenty for a proper burial. I will add her to our prayer box and her son as well. Belated birthday blessings to dear you. Peace and hope to you in these times of grief.
ReplyDeletePraying for Michelle and Joshua and all of you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all, especially at this difficult time.
Also ... very best wishes on your Birthday.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you for all your good works.
Noreen, I am so, so sorry. Praying for you, your friend, and her son.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss Noreen. Good news about the funds working out. With all the prayers I'm sure whatever happens with guardianship with be God's Good Will.
ReplyDeleteOh Noreen, prayers to everyone involved in this sent to you just now! Praying for Josh, and hoping that the court will recognize his age in allowing him to choose for himself where he'd like to be...Prayers on the way!!!
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