My Eldest Sister and Role Model… Dr. Gail

2 Corinthians 10: 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

1Thess. 1:6 You became imitators of us and he The Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy, given by The Holy Spirit.

Sat. morning 8:30 a.m.; my eldest sister calls me from Florida. “What’s up, Dear?” “Oh I just got out of 7:30 mass, and I’m on my way to Dunkin’ Doughnuts for a drive through breakfast.”

I begin to laugh hysterically! She responds, ”OK Miss Stinker, what are you laughing at?” “I swear! You are God’s sense of humor in a time capsule. You are His energizer bunny. You are the perfect example of what God can do with someone who has a fearless faith.”

You see, my sister has stage four cancer. She was supposed to be gone 2 years ago…..BUT GOD!

I laugh all the time as she tells me about her day. She is a living miracle on wheels.

Two years ago she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that engaged holes within her spine and spots on her liver.

She is on special chemo that fills in the holes in her spine, plus an oral chemo. She tires easily; however, she has spent the last two years at her Florida home alone. Don’t feel sorry for her, She has a very full life with friends, a church community, volunteering and attending mass daily.

She has become a prominent member of The Bereavement Community, as well.

My greatest admiration for my sister: she failed to cave in to her circumstances. We both are “Overcomers,” born into a family where making positive choices was necessary for a life of fulfillment. We had to learn to cope and make strong survival choices. Thus she earned her Ph.d in Nursing at age 52. I earned my M.Ed. at 45.

She keeps commenting, ”Why am I still here?” “He’s not done with you yet, Sis! Look at all the lives you touch. Plus through you, others see God working miracles.”

We laugh a lot on the phone. Sometimes we talk three times a day. We are the two surviving members of our family.

She and her husband adopted two sons, who are now very professional adults; one is a pilot for United, the other is an Administrator at a Childrens Hospital. The Christian influence and wisdom that she has dealt to her four grandchildren have set a high mark.

REMEMBER….GOD CAN MAKE A WAY WHERE THERE IS NO WAY.

HEAVENLY FATHER: I pray for many who have low self-esteem and confidence. I pray for those who are suffering illnesses who see no way out. Give them strength and wisdom to believe that…YOU ARE GOD….and are not yet done with them. Give them a plan and a purpose to survive. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

Sue Cutler
Fearless Faith