Fighting the Fight. . .

. . . with a smile and a joyful heart

I'm going to tell you about a very special woman.

Beth Wertz was one of the reasons I joined the church that I attend right now. She always greeted me with a smile that filled her entire face all the way to her eyes. She was a member of the Sunday School class I attended for awhile, and in our discussions her comments, even when disagreeing with something, were well thought out, eloquent, and kind. She organized our church's annual beach retreat down to each morsel of food, and we knew how much it cost, where we'd be, when we needed to be at certain places, etc. She had a wonderful knack for organization.

But beyond that, Beth was a hero. A wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many, she worked to make her family, her church, her community, her world better people and places. She endured Celiac Disease (intolerance to gluten) and cancer with little or no complaints uttered. While I am sure she suffered with both of these, especially the cancer that took her life last week, she did not let it stop her from her service to her fellow humans. If you did not know Beth, you would not have known she was sick. It was not an excuse for her. She continued to fully live and embrace life.

Last summer when I was diagnosed with uterine cancer, Beth was one of the first church members (outside my besties) that contacted me. She sent me several cards when I had surgery and during the recovery time. And greeted me with hugs when I returned to church all the while undergoing treatments herself. She was a major support. And I don't even think she knew it. She did not do it to be recognized. She did it because she was Beth.

Yesterday our church was packed--standing room only--with people that Beth had touched in some way or another. We read scripture that she chose and sang the songs that she wanted us to sing, and even though we were all incredibly sad, grieving the loss of this special person, it was a celebration of her life and her work.

Now, I'm left to process everything. And I ask myself, "So what can I take away from all of this? What can I learn from my friend, Beth?"

• Make every day count
• Make each person feel special
• Help others without concern of cost or benefit to me
• Love without bounds
• Celebrate the victories, large and small, in life with my entire being.

This are things that maybe I try to do already, but that I can continue to do mindfully. They are attitudes and actions that will help me on the many journeys that I am on. (I needed to remember the "Love without bounds" when my 8th grade class was here today! Sheesh!) I was very sad yesterday, and still am sad today, and probably will be for awhile. But instead of wallowing, I will allow myself to grieve, and I will celebrate what I learned from this phenomenal lady. My life is better from knowing Beth Wertz, and I thank her!