Susie's Testimony, The Conclusion

Hey there, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

When we last left you on yesterday, we saw that Susie had been inspired by a terminally ill yet very optimistic woman named Eileen. After hearing Eileen’s testimony, Susie went in to have her lump removed from her breast. Not only was the surgery a success, but the tumor was benign. Susie was all smiles obviously, but her joy soon became overshadowed by her grief when she received news that Eileen had passed away.

And now, the conclusion of Susie’s Testimony.

Susie’s heart sank, as a brief but awkward silence filled the phone between her and a grief-stricken Gary.

“She couldn’t have died,” Susie wept. “I only met her right before my surgery, and she had so much life and vigor. She’s really gone?”

“Yes, Mrs. Douglas—last night, in my arms,” Gary answered, fighting back tears. “The ironic thing was that we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.”

Gary went on to tell Susie that around two in the morning, Eileen woke up and complained that she was cold. Thinking nothing of it, Gary gave her an extra blanket, but Eileen still felt cold. Naturally, Gary decided to wrap Eileen up in his arms and cradle her. After a sweet kiss on the lips, Eileen thanked Gary for tending to her need, and closed her eyes. Maybe fifteen seconds later, she passed away peacefully.

When Susie hung up, she sat in her recliner, placing her hand over her left breast. There was a scar from her surgery, but there was also a scar upon her heart. Susie felt that it was meant for her to meet Eileen, and only after hearing about Eileen’s transition made it more affirmative. Susie always believed in guardian angels, so it should be no surprise that she considered Eileen to be one of them.

“Thank you, Eileen,” Susie whispered softly, looking up to the heavens.

Bret, Howie, Sarah, and Nikki came home from church that afternoon, just as cheery as they could be. Susie tried to hide the fact that she was crying, but it was all in vain. Just as Bret and the kids walked into the house, they saw Susie weeping something terrible and asked what was wrong. Through her sobs, Susie told them the story about Eileen’s passing. Bret gave Susie a comforting hug and told her that it may have been providentially planned for Eileen to come into Susie’s life, if only for that moment.

Later on during the week, Gary called the Douglases’ household, leaving a message regarding Eileen’s homegoing celebration. Susie vowed to be there and pay her respects, even if she had to work a half day. Susie not only showed up, but she also gave a reflection about her fifteen-minute conversation with “such an optimistic, upbeat woman.” Susie pointed out that the name Eileen meant “light,” and she had no doubt that Eileen let her light shine, up until The Lord took her home.

The following week, Susie was able to go back to work. She happened to be working on a project when her assistant walked in and said that someone in the office needed to speak with her right away. Susie accepted, and in walked Gary and his two daughters with a thank-you gift basket for Susie. Attached to the gift basket was a thank-you card and a silver pin shaped like a dove. Gary and his daughters thanked Susie by trapping her in a big group hug, to which Susie said, “If anything, I should be thanking you all for allowing me to meet Eileen. It’s through her strength that my spirit became rejuvenated. With that said, I thank you all so much.”