For those that weren't able to come to Nicole's memorial - it was BEAUTIFUL! It was an amazing tribute to my Girl and I know she would have been so happy to see over 500 people there and to hear the words and tributes spoken, especially from her very best friends ❤️. They meant the world to her.  If you would like to watch the service, HERE IS A LINK. 

 

I have had the greatest pleasure in finding things left behind in Nicole's room, specifically some of her writing.  She really was a deep thinker and feeler.  Before the memorial, I found a playlist that she had set aside and requested for her service. It was such a gift to be able to play the music that she wanted and to include them during the slideshow (Across the Universe, by the Beatles & You and I, by James Taylor). 

 

Just this week, I came across a letter that Nicole wrote to God dated 4/7/23 - Good Friday. 

I will only share the first couple of sentences, but it was such a blessing to me, and I hope it is to you too. She said "Hello Abba! Hello Jesus! Hello my Father. Jai Guru deva, om! (lyrics from Across The Universe) Glory to the Shining Remover of darkness".   Nicole went on to write what an important day Good Friday is and filled three whole pages with thanks to God for the beauty that He surrounds us with, for His goodness and unfailing love, and for His faithfulness through her journey.  On the third page, she noted that it was not only a special day of remembrance of what Jesus did on the cross (for the whole universe!), but that it was also the very last day of her Doxycycline treatment (one of the three IV chemotherapies that she cycled through).  She gave more thanks that she was finally done and for her God-given strength to get through it. 

 

Nicole had no idea that only five months later she would be diagnosed with recurrence, metastatic cancer, let alone know that she would "graduate" to be with Jesus eight months from her journal entry. 

 

I love that my Girl still loved the lyrics "Jai Guru Deva"  (Glory to the Shining Remover of darkness) and wanted them played at her memorial.  Nothing's gonna change my Girls' world of happiness and joy. Not even death.  

 

Nicole is my hero. She will forever inspire me to be the best version of myself and to share the good news of her Heavenly Father.  God is good.  All the time.  Even when we don't understand it.  He is far superior to any earthly father and can be trusted in all circumstances.  My story, your story, our story, God's story is not done, because it is not done until it is 100% good.