On the Heart of Each Sister

Today is an absolutely beautiful day in Los Angeles. It's nearly 70 degrees and the skies are a gorgeous blue. Usually on days like this I sit back and marvel that I got so lucky to end up living here, with a successful husband at work at a job he loves, and a perfect little boy asleep in his crib for (hopefully) the next two hours. But today I am sad and I wish more than anything I could be back home. Even in the cold, Kansas winter air. I am sad because today many of my close friends, and hundreds of others, are gathering to celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Megan McBride Franz. Megan was my Kappa sorority sister at KU, a year younger than me, and just one of those people that has that extra special something that makes you kinda wish you were her. She was beautiful and talented and stylish and successful. She married her college sweetheart and they made their home in Kansas City. Her family is remarkable - the kind of family I always longed for growing up, and even still. Her little sister Sara is one of my sister's closest friends and I have spent some fun times with her over the past several years. I write this with tears flowing because it just isn't fair that Megan died. She was only 31 and for the last 10 months she bravely fought stage 4 cancer. At a time when many would turn inward, she chose to share her experience with everyone by journaling at www.caringbridge.org. Thousands of us followed her every step of the way - her trips to Houston, her chemo, her often disappointing results. I would pray every night before a big scan or test to see what her tumors were doing, and wait patiently the next day for her results. I had no doubt in my mind that she would make it - afterall, it's 90% attitude, right? I don't believe that anymore. What I believe more now than ever is that God does have a plan for everyone. Why else would he have taken her so soon? What I know for me is that she taught me so many things this past year - she taught me about love, courage and grace.  And most of all, not to take my life and my family and friends for granted. I have hugged Joe and Charlie for a little bit longer, called my mom and little more frequently, and tried to tell my sister and my girlfriends how much I love them. I want for so much less in my life and I hope that I can continue to strive to be the healthiest, happiest person I can be; the best mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. Today, my Kappa sisters are proudly wearing their keys to the services to acknowledge that it was through Kappa that we had the chance to know and love Megan. And so I am wearing mine too. And the "Cancer Sucks" pin she sent me. In a little way, even though I can't be there in person to share tears and hugs, I know that I am with my girls and they're with me. And Megan is with all of us.