Almost three years ago the youngest, Joann was diagnosed with leukemia. In true fashion, Aunt Jenny (as she was known to most of us) fought with grace through three rounds of chemo, each one keeping the cancer at bay about half as long as the previous one. No one was surprised at how she kept her sense of humor and her compassion for those around her during the awful treatments. She loved the Lord and knew, that no matter the circumstances, he would guide her.
Aunt Jenny's life had not always been easy but she used her circumstances to help others. She had a compassion that can only come from the hard things of life. She had lost her first husband early in her marriage and at a young age. I remember her ministering to me when I suffered a miscarriage because she too had suffered one and knew the pain that comes with that. I'll always remember her understanding and care in that time of my life, she never forgot that baby and how much she loved it and wanted it, and it made it okay for me to grieve my loss.
Her pride was her family. She loved her husband, daughter and granddaughter in ways that one only can, after suffering great loss, and she was crazy over her sisters. But she also loved the rest of us. She was my great-aunt, but made sure to be involved in my life. The last time I saw her she hugged me, told me she loved me, and then she told me how proud she was of my family.
When the third and final diagnosis came, the sisters rallied, they all came back "home" one more time, Joyce even came from Phoenix! The doctor's had said the time would be swift and they were determined to make the most of it. They spent one week just enjoying each other's company, sharing and loving on each other. When one seemed weak the other would be there, it was a picture I'll not soon forget.
The doctor's were right, the time was short and Aunt Jenny died shortly after that week. My grandmother came to see me after all of the services and she had taken a few days to recover. She said, "I know Joann is better off, but for me...." and she couldn't finish because the pain was just too great. Aunt Jenny was 75 when she died and between the four sisters they had experienced almost everything imaginable together.
But the greatest thing they will ever experience together is heaven, because all four of them had accepted Jesus as their Savior. One day no time, distance or sickness will ever be able to separate them and they will be able to spend eternity together with the One who designed it just that way. That's the most important thing the Four Sisters taught me and I'm so thankful.
Aunt Jenny with my Grandmama June and Papaw Wyatt
Aunt Jenny and Aunt Kate
Aunt Jenny and Aunt Joyce
