[Doody]

A friend of mine died this week. She was only 55 but succumbed to a life of crippling arthritis along with the other problems it presented.

Her service was today. She and her husband (a native american indian) were devoted to helping native americans in any way that they could afford.

I'll miss her, but I am so happy that she is no longer encumbered by her crippled body. I have no doubt that upon her release, she was finally able to be the ballerina she had always wanted to be.

She will be joining her son, who took his own life 3 years ago, her brother who died from melanoma, and her 2 year old nephew, her father and so many others.

I can see her dancing as we speak.

I wanted to share what her elderly mother read at the service, and I hope nobody takes offense at this version of the 23rd Psalm. My apologies in advance if it does. She loved this.

The Great Father above a shepherd Chief is.
I am His and with Him I want not.
He throws out to me a rope and
the name of the rope is love and
He draws me to where the grass is green
and the water not dangerous,
and I eat and lie down and am satisfied.
Sometimes my heart is very weak and falls down but
He lifts me up again and draws me into a good road.
His name is WONDERFUL.

Sometime, it may be very soon,
it may be a long, long time.
He will draw me into a valley.
It is dark there, but I'll be afraid not,
for it is in between those mountains
that the Shepherd Christ will meet me
and the hunger that I have in my heart
all through this life will be satisfied.
He gives me a staff to lean upon.

He spreads a table before me
with all kinds of foods.
He puts His hand upon my head
and all the "tired" is gone.
My cup He fills till it runs over.
What I tell is true. I lie not.
These roads that are "away ahead"
will stay with me through this life and after;
and afterwards I will go to live
in the Big Tepee and sit down
with the Shepherd Chief forever.

~Isabel Crawford
(Missionary to the Indians of the plains)

[DejaVu]

about your wonderful friend and about the Native American version of the 23rd Psalm!

So glad you can see your friend dancing!
May you continue to be conforted at this time of great loss.

Many blessings!

[Burntmarshmallow]

OHHH
Doody my gosh friend !!!You better know I am keeping you near and dear in thoughts and prayers. HUGS and healing peacefull wishes to you and your family .Sorry to hear of such a loss .

[Curious]

may the lord welcome his newest ballerina with a comforting embrace.

i am so sorry for your loss doodysis.

[Koala77]

So sorry to hear about the passing of your friend Doody, but it's good to know that she'll be reunited now with those she loved so much, who went before her.

My thoughts are with you and her husband.

[Doody]

You're all so sweet and thank you. I hoped I wouldn't offend with her favorite version of the 23rd Psalms.

She suffered so much. We all watched her deteriorate rapidly after her son took his own life...exactly 1 year after the death of her brother, Scott. The tragedy didn't begin there. A few years before Scott died, he backed over his 2 year old son in the driveway. The little boy's death, then Scott, and then Aaron...it took it's toll on her and her very dear mom. We lived next to them for 25 years.

She was in so much pain and I'm glad it's over for her, I really am. The suffering had gone on much too long and I know she is in a better place now.

Much love and thank you. This has been a very difficult few weeks here in Iowa.