I met Elaine in 2005. Our sons were in the same preschool class and were both having trouble adjusting to preschool. We quickly set up a play date. It was fun to get to know Elaine. I loved her energy, her thoughtful and intentional approach to parenting, her creativity and her willingness to share her struggles as a mom.
Only a few months later Elaine joined a moms group at our church. One month later, she learned that she had breast cancer. Meredith was only four months old. And while she had only been in the group a short time – God put it on our hearts to care for Elaine at that time and over the next three years. No one told us we’d be walking down such a painful road, but I think each of us has felt privileged to do so… a testimony to both God’s love for Elaine and our love for Elaine. We absolutely treasured her!
There were many things I appreciated about Elaine, I’ll just share a few
Elaine was genuine… there was no pretense about her… you knew what she was thinking. We shared struggles as moms together, we talked and prayed as she faced the fear of not being able to raise her children, and we candidly talked about ministry.
Elaine had high standards and did everything wholeheartedly. Elaine became a table leader and a teaching leader for our moms group at Trinity Church and she put her whole heart into that. She arranged special events for the group. She got them emailing prayer requests throughout the week. She stayed up until 2:00 a.m. creating gifts for the women. She spent hours and hours preparing to teach. She was a woman of excellence. And in so doing, she made me a better leader. There’s a Bible verse that says, as iron sharpens irons so one sharpens another. Elaine did that for me.
Elaine was a committed friend. We had disagreements about how to do ministry… some of them were hard to work through, but she would call and email and work it out until the issue was resolved. As it turned out, our sons had a hard time together. Our play dates weren’t peaceful, but somehow we creatively found ways to work it out and get together.
Elaine was an encourager and fought for women’s hearts. She would send cards and flowers just to encourage me. Just prior to her final battle with cancer I was struggling in ministry. She sent me some very encouraging emails that kept me moving forward.
Elaine loved the Lord and served Him faithfully. The last time Elaine spoke at our moms group she taught on a passage in 2 Corinthians 5. That passage talks about how while we are living on earth we groan and are burdened…many of us walked side by side with Elaine over those last five months. She groaned in pain and was burdened emotionally by fears of the future for her family. But that passage goes on to say that it is better to be at home with Lord. I praise God that she is at home with the Lord.
Elaine’s last email to me said this… She sent it after she discovered the cancer had spread to her nervous system.
Thank you Karen-Note that God has been meeting daily needs in very amazing, only God-can do ways. We are blessed for such a loving family and know that this is indeed one of His Miracles - how He brings people together during tough times!
He is our one true hope!
Love,
Elaine
To Justin and Meredith,
Almost 25 years ago to the day, I buried my own mother. She had battled cancer like your mom and lost. I was only sixteen. It was a very painful road filled with lots of sadness and wonderings of how different my life would have been had she been around. But your mom was right. God is our one true hope. I walked the painful road without Him and it was miserable. Then I invited God to help me with the pain and His goodness, His love, and His comfort has been overwhelming. My prayer for you both is that you will know in the depths of your heart the love and goodness of God.
- Karen Miller
Friend from preschool and Trinity Church
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