RIP….Our Sweet Dr. Kathy Sabo

1 Thess. 4:16-18 For The Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a shout, with a voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air. And so we will be with The Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words.

I was raised on Weller Rd. in what is now Montgomery, a northern suburb of Cincinnati. We lived on a 15-acre, country abode, about 5 miles north of town.

In 1966, my cousin and her husband bought 5 acres off of my dad. They built a home next door, and I was in pig heaven.

I was a big kid lover (Premonition to my 30 yr. Kindergarten Career) and was like a big sister to her 4 children, Mark, Julie, Diana, and Doug.

Oh the times we had as kids! It would take pages to write about the fun, crazy times together. Since I was in my teens, I taught them how to use makeup, how to dance, ride bikes, you name it. We just “grew up” together.

In ’72, I married and moved to the farm in Plain City. I was busy having 3 kids, they were busy growing up, and it really wasn’t until 1994, that I began to reunite with them on a very personal basis, right after my mother’s passing.

My cousin Mark married a beautiful girl, Kathy. We had so much in common. She had her Master’s in Ed. And was on her way to become a principal.

They purchased a nice ranch in Batavia. Mark, as a carpenter, created a beautiful home for them. Kathy, with her flair for design, added lovely
décor.

As a child, my home was where all the family gatherings took place. It was as if God brought me full circle. At least twice a year, I would spend the night at Mark and Kathy’s, as we had our fall and spring gatherings.

Kathy became like a sister to me. With education as our commonality, we shared many adventures. Two years ago, I was present at Miami University, as she received her Doctorate.

We both came from backgrounds where each of us had to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, in order to rise above. She did that, and more. She became the Superintendent of Norwood City Schools, Cincinnati.

Then last year, trauma struck. Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer…both breasts.

My sister, a stage 4-cancer patient, but still going strong, was there to be Kathy’s cheerleader. My sister is a retired nursing professor, and has a plethora of experience with 56 years in the profession.

“The one type of cancer she has is very aggressive,” my sister stated to me, only.

In August, we celebrated. Along with a cousin, I took my sister to meet Kathy for the very first time. We praised God, cheered, and talked of a hopeful future.

In mid-September, she had a double mastectomy. She called me 3 weeks later. “I’m Good, Susie Q.” “They took my tubes out today.” “I want you to continue your prayers.” “On Fri., they have to lance a boil.” “Then I’ll have 4 weeks of radiation.” “Then I’m home free!”

We were praising God for His goodness. A week later, I got a phone call from Cousin Diana.

“Kathy is in the hospital with meningitis.” “They think she may have had a stroke.”

I got on the horn to my nurse sister. “You have to go down there with me.” “You of all people have the experience to explain, to the family, what’s going on.”

Our speculations were correct. We both experienced it with our mother and her husband. The cancer had gone to her brain.

My sister, along with the doctors, convinced Mark that hospice was the next step. Two weeks in hospice, and our sweet Kathy is now in the arms of Jesus.

Our big question: WHY…why did she have to go through that year of suffering? Why? We ask ourselves: is this some kind of a con game, a trick you might be playing on all of us?

Only God can answer those questions.

On Sat, Oct. 12, we had her memorial at Norwood Middle School. It was beautiful, traumatic, and overwhelmed with emotion.

Then the family went to the Silver Springs House in Montgomery for a feast…our version of a wake. One cousin bought all the drinks, so my limit was 2 glasses of wine, and 2 meals throughout the day. We arrived at noon, had the buffet, visited and told stories, then didn’t depart until 7p.m. Yes, we were all wasted.

I spent the night with cousin Diana (sister-in-law to the departed) and her husband Tom. He was such a light –hearted guy that kept the weekend on a high note.

On Sunday, we visited with cousins from my mother’s sister’s lineage. By the time I got home Sun. eve, I was done!

In Philippians, St. Paul encourages us to press on to the mark for our high calling in Christ Jesus. Our faith is the only thing that carries us, but it surely gets tired and wearisome at times.

Just this morning, another friend called, to inform me that his mom is now in hospice.

Then I think of the greatest generation and how they faced death on a daily basis.

Our faith gives us the strength and stamina to carry on. Yes, we are all grieving; however, there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Jesus promises us: ”The Holy Spirit will bring peace beyond understanding.”

AND …. WE WIN….. READ THE SCRIPTURE AT THE TOP.

HEAVENLY FATHER: Thank You for your Son, Jesus, who opened the gates of heaven for mankind, by becoming the sacrifice for our sinful nature. YOU WILL COME AGAIN,LORD JESUS…COME SOON! Amen.

Sue Cutler
Fearless Faith