Dear Elliot,
In just a few days we will hit the 1 year mark since your last day on this earth. Only, it’s 
going to be a day like any other in the last 365 days of grief.
Every day people come to the blog and read the posts as I processed through those days of uncertainty. Your story of unwavering faith in the face of unthinkable sorrow is reaching others and will forever be shared. Every day I am able to pray for Chris, Wyatt and Bradford as you are in and out of my thoughts.
I was telling someone your story the other day. I don’t even remember how it came up? I didn’t cry. I was very matter of fact. I haven’t cried in a long time.
What I have been is angry. Not at God. At cancer…at the treatments used…at the what~ifs. I’ve been too angry to cry. But today I watched this video about a 17-year-old boy named Zach and the legacy he left behind when he passed away on May 20, 2013 (his story is documented below.) I slid down into the place between the overstuffed chair and the wall of windows and I wept.
I made up for months of no tears. It’s the same spot I sat more than a year ago and begged God for a miracle. It was my go to place when things overwhelmed me. I haven’t sat there since last year while talking to Elisabeth on the phone a few days before you died and knowing what need not be said.
El, my chest has literally ached for days. My heart hurts. Though I will never know how widespread your influence has been, it is vast. I do not understand the ways of our mysterious God. I don’t even know how to finish the letters I’ve started writing to Wyatt and Bradford.
What I know for certain is that I don’t want to find out I’m dying to really start living. I want to live. I want to love until it heals. Laugh until my sides hurt and my lips shake. Dance around my living room until I’m out of breath. Drink in the sunlight, feel summer raindrops on my skin. I want to live, El. You taught me that.
I want to dream big
Never stop seeking
Brag on a God who is beyond explanation
Reach the unreachable
Believe in Heaven
Heal the hurting
Capture beauty and give it away
I want to know when this day is done that I am more than satisfied with the goings on.
I want to play more
Give more
Sing more
Pray more
I know you wouldn’t wish anger for any of us left here to grieve. Every time I see a “sky cross” I grasp the visual evidence that God gives me the strength I need when I need it.
I love you friend. Thank you for living with such grace and beauty. Thank you for showing everyone who witnessed your courage during illness that God is good even when it doesn’t feel like it and he has a plan and a purpose for our lives.
Blessings and Light,
Related Posts:
Saying Goodbye
A Tribute to Elliot
Even A Girl Like Me 
Thank you for this, Joy! You have the ability to make us stop and think about each day and living it to the fullest!
Thank you Janie!
Your comments and encouragement are always appreciated 🙂
Joy,
Another beautiful tribute to your friend. Oh that we all would have friends like you or Elliot. I like what you want “I don’t want to find out I’m dying to really start living. I want to live. I want to love until it heals. Laugh until my sides hurt and my lips shake. Dance around my living room until I’m out of breath. Drink in the sunlight, feel summer raindrops on my skin.” That we all would pursue this.
I do know as well that when someone I love dies I do not really ever want to “get over” them. I always want to grieve for them for that is what loves does. The ones I love the most I miss them when they are not with me and when they die I will always wish for them. I would have it no other way. That ache is as it should be.
I agree, Mark. The ache is as it should be.
Thank you for always contributing to my work. I appreciate your comments and loyalty as a reader.