My first memories of my sweet cousin Sharon stretch back to our childhood, facing off in Oma and Opa’s sandbox. Sharon was the cousin with the perfect pigtails and the sensitive heart. I on the other hand, was a tomboy-loud and unruly and I recall making my sweet cousin cry a time or two with my boisterous and overbearing ways! We shared lots of memories at Oma and Opa’s-playing in the enormous flower and vegetable gardens, eating gooseberries, shelling peas into Oma’s massive stainless-steel bowls, and watching Oma do her canning in the summer kitchen. We hunted for Easter baskets and unwrapped barbie dolls at Christmas together. I remember always being amazed at how Sharon could colour perfectly in the lines of Oma’s barbie doll colouring book and shaded the images with perfection. Sharon had a drive for excellence from childhood that continued throughout her life.
Sharon’s family moved to Alberta for several years and we reconnected in highs school before we each went on to pursue a career in nursing. Kevin and I had the privilege of living with Dave and Sharon for a short season and watched on with awe as they became doting new parents to baby Alyssa. These memories are so precious. We were in infrequent contact over the past several years due to living so far apart and the logistics of coordinating our schedules. In these years, I received many a card- and not just any card but one that was clearly carefully chosen and filled with loving and encouraging sentiments. We would often connect on our “birthday week” as we were born 3 days apart. Our conversations were rich, deep and real, quickly moving from catching up our respective families, to what God was teaching us in our lives and pondering the mysteries of God’s ways together. I remember shedding a few tears more than once during those long phone calls. Our conversations were always encouraging and uplifting and although Sharon never shied away from the truth of how challenging her battle was with her health, her unshakable and vibrant faith always trumped the difficulties. I am convinced that her challenges produced the vibrant and authentic faith she possessed. She allowed God to mold her more and more into His likeness as a result of this journey and what a testimony it has been to all who knew her and what a legacy she leaves for her children and grandchildren to come and an example for the rest of us to follow. The verse that comes to mind when I think of Sharon’s life is… “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Although I grieve Sharon’s passing, my heart truly celebrates that she is now reaping the rewards of a life well lived and is experiencing complete freedom from all that is broken in this world. She is now experiencing Jesus in the fullest way!
I am deeply grateful for the times Sharon and I had together and the indelible impact she has made on my life. To Dave, Alyssa, Jaxon, Max, Charlotte, Paul and all your families, please know that you are often prayed for and thought of. May God’s presence be divinely felt by each one of you in a deeply personal way in the difficult days ahead.
Much love,
Kimberly, Kevin and family.
