the rest of the story....

Hangin' with Hilary - notice how we color coordinated...:-)

You can see the love in her face- the adoration in mine....

One of the highlights from 'Time Out' was getting to talk to Hilary Weeks. I want to tell you the whole story:

A few years ago my little niece Devan was falling prey to that awful killer - cancer.

(this is her while she's still in the battle with her brain cancer. You can see more on her and her amazing family here.)I had attended a Time Out For Women and heard Hilary weeks sing 'Come Take Your Place'. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=FehO6ovKtOU there's about a minute of talking before the video)

As I listened to this song I thought of Devan, so close to returning to her Father in Heaven and the song took on a new meaning to me. I bought a CD and took it to Hilary and told her Devan's story, she signed it for her. I got home and FedExed it to my sister, Becky. A few days later I asked her if she got it yet, and she hadn't. A week later, and still no CD, another week, no CD. I was getting very worried. I called FedEx and they couldn't locate it, they said it was lost.

I tried to find a way to get a hold of Hilary to see if I could get another CD singed from her for my sister and Devan. I sent a message through 'her people'. While I was waiting a miracle happened and the CD made it to Becky's. I was so glad it made it in time for Devan to hear the song!

Devan passed away right before Becky's birthday, Nov. 6, 2006.

Meanwhile Hilary did get the message and emailed me - the day after Devan died, I told her that Devan had passed. Hilary sent an amazing bouquet to my sister with a beautiful heart felt message. Becky compiled a DVD of Devan's life and used Hilary's song as one of the songs on it.

Becky sent me a copy of this DVD and I took it to Hilary who just happened to be a presenter at the next close TOFW. I thought that was the end.

She watched the DVD and was touched by a poem on it and she wrote a song called "Just Let Me Cry".

I have to admit that I had purposefully not listened to Hilary's music since Devan died (if you read this -sorry Hilary!). Becky, my mom, and my other sister Sheralan have all been missing Devan so much and I just didn't want to go there. I don't like crying or feeling sad - so I've been avoiding - well feeling.

On the Saturday morning session of TOFW Hilary opened it with 'Come Take Your Place'. I lost it. I was actually in line to finally purchase "If I Only Had Today", her new CD with 'Just Let Me Cry'. I pretty much was a blubbering idiot through the rest of the session, especially when she told Devan's story and sang her song.

There were so many powerful massages that day, so many things meant just for me! I see now how hard I am on ,myself- self judgments I pass daily, even hourly sometimes. I saw how I tend to make big deals out of little things with the kids. I am amazingly blessed to have children who are really really good kids! I realized how blessed I am to have a husband who puts me second (right behind Heavenly Father), but it's a very close second. He loves me and serves me and thinks I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. We are healthy, we are all strong in the church, we are happy. I've taken many things for granted!