An Everlasting Friend
In Memory…
Friendship is everlasting! These words are comforting to me, as I navigate moving forward with a huge hole in my life.
Two years ago this September, my friend called me from the parking lot of a Chiropractors office in extreme pain, as I talked to keep her calm, while she waited for the office doors to open after lunch, I knew this was not just her back, something else was wrong. They sent her straight to the Emergency Room, and a few hours later I received the text that would change the course of her life and my own forever. “It’s bad. Really bad.”
Cancer had eaten into her spine, and months later we found out that the cancer had originated in her heart and was spreading throughout her body. At that point, we knew it was fatal, as it was in the bloodstream, it was just a matter of time. My friend fought hard, so hard, to try to be here on this earth as long as she could for her children.
The cancer had reached her brain and after a courageous battle, my dear sweet friend lost her life. This story has so many beautiful moments I would be so honored to share, as we have seen so many miracles throughout these past two years, so many tender mercies from God to those around her.
My friend, Mariana Parkes, was amazing! She had a heart of gold and was always there to help anyone around her anytime! Mariana had a special place in her heart for children, giving them the ability to learn despite their learning disabilities, or weaknesses.
Mariana worked with me in creating Unit Studies that are easy for kids to understand and easy for parents to teach, and I am so blessed to have her written words that I can still share with so many, to keep her legacy alive! Mariana was director of our in-person classes, and it was amazing to see her talent continue to bloom as she helped those under her care.
I was honored to give the eulogy at her funeral services and share just a tad-bit of what an amazing person she was to so many around her. She was literally amazing, and I am so honored that we were friends!
It is hard to articulate in words, our friendship, an expert from my eulogy in her honor may shed a little light into our friendship. It reads:
“When I was unable to walk or pick up a pencil, Mariana was there for me, giving me strength to carry on. When I lost another baby, she was there to comfort me again, to feed my children. She was the second mother to all seven of my children and was always willing to care for them at any given moment. Mariana saw me struggle with so many health issues and helped me fight the rarest diseases and blindness with my own children, she told me over and over how my un-waivered faith gave her strength through her own life.
But what Mariana did not realize is her selfless acts of love and acts of service gave me the strength to get through my own life. There are no coincidences in life, and I know that it was not by chance that Mariana and I have been there for each other for the past 28 years. She was my angel here on earth, as she was to so many others she met in her life.”
Mariana, believed in me, in all I was doing, she was a true friend, a friend who calls or sent a text multiple times a day, for the past 28 years! She pushed me to better. Pushed me to write. Pushed me to create. I already miss her! I am grateful to know that our friendship is everlasting! I know I will see her again, and that brings me so much comfort!
Until we meet again, my dear sweet friend!
