This week has been a bitter sweet one saying goodbye to a special friend, Sasha. So I thought as most of you don’t know her I’d share a little of her story and why there is a sweetness to her dying.

In February 2019 I was asked to give Sasha a call as she had been in touch with the church as she had some questions about life. I called and arranged to meet her at the church building one morning the following week.

She arrived looking very glamorous in her faux fur coat, perfect make up and hair! She even had a matching handbag and shoes! Something that both impresses and intimidates me! I’m not that organised or glamorous! Anyway we sat at a table in the foyer and we chatted easily for a while. Then I asked how I could help her?

Her eyes had glittered with tears as she told me that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and she was scared. She didn’t have any peace about dying. I cried with her as it had been less than a year since I’d lost my mother in law to the same evil illness. I was honest with her and told her I didn’t have the peace to give her but I knew a man who did. His name is Jesus.

After this conversation we met regularly and talked about everything and I really mean everything! She attended our Church’s Alpha course to learn more about the Christian faith. We would debrief regularly about the week and one of the things she loved was the people. She would tell me about the people from all walks of life that she’d met and the peace she saw in those who had accepted Jesus and by the end came to the conclusion that’s what she needed.

She prayed a prayer and invited Jesus into her life. The transformation was stunning! She’d found what she was looking for. Peace.

She got baptised in February 2020 in her garden with a pink flamingo bucket! It was a wonderful occasion, full of fun and life, just as she was!

During the pandemic we chatted regularly. She shared with me about all the incredible ventures she’d started and courses she’d taken. She realised that through it all she was searching for what she now had. She still had adventure in her heart but it wasn’t what drove her anymore.

A month ago I went round and saw her in person for the first time in ages. We sat in the garden and chatted as usual. It was clear she was in pain but she was still smiling, still looking glamorous! But as I was about to leave she asked me to come and see her hospital bed in the bedroom. As we went inside she whispered that time was going fast now. We prayed and she smiled. She wasn’t afraid for herself but worried about those she loved. She gave me an enormous hug, she knew she hadn’t long left.

The last time I saw her she was still smiling even as she struggled to stay awake. She took my hand and held it tight. There it was, peace that surpasses understanding. When she went to be with Jesus she didn’t linger long. She went to the hospice on the Monday, which is where she knew she wanted to die and passed away on the Tuesday.

This week was the celebration of her life. Everyone who spoke about her talked of her laughter and fun. The way she embraced life and loved loudly!

My sadness that she’s gone is tinged with a sweetness of knowing she’s not in pain anymore and she’s with Jesus! She’s promised to save me a seat! My only regret is that my time getting to know her was so short. I will miss her deeply but know when I see her again she’ll be full of laughter without hiding any pain.

I go on and I’m sure will meet many people but Sasha will forever have a special place in my heart. Goodbye my friend, until we meet again.