A Tribute To A Friend

A sad note today: amongst the joys in the world are surely its sorrows. In memory of Denise Reaves Kirby, age 46, of Oxford, Alabama...to some just an obituary in the newspaper, but to me the death of a precious friend. Denise was a just under 5-foot-tall ball of energy the first time I met her at the age of 17. This hilarious tiny little thing was driving her mom's car, what type I do not remember, but its size I do. The contrast in Denise's size in this huge vehicle only added to my amusement. She was funny, bright and could be mischevious, if the mood struck her. As she got older and married, born to her were two sons, now aged 17 and 13. They were her light.
Denise lost her battle with a disease she fought for years - rheumatoid arthritis. Yet, it was a drug used to treat it that caused her immune system to fail to do its job and caused us to lose her far too early - the same drug that almost took my mom's life a few years ago. So, as I pray for her boys as they struggle to go on without their mom, I pray for a cure - a way to treat this nasty disease in a safer way. And, as the sun rises here without her, I know that God sits and giggles at this tiny little lady who entered His gates. Heaven must be having fun with Denise today. I know I sure did.