Dance

When I worked at Peace Corps I met a sweet friend named Laurette. Then I met her wonderful husband Cornelius, and had the honor of greeting them at the airport when they arrived home from overseas with their newly adopted daughter. This was about 10 years ago. How time flies.

I remember when they were trying to adopt they ran into troubles because Cornelius had previously had cancer. He’d been in remission for a long time, so they were beyond thrilled when they finally got the go ahead to adopt their beautiful girl. For several years all was good. Heck, all was great!

But over the past three years Cornelius and his family have been visited anew by this arch enemy. This cancer. And every time he’s miraculously made a comeback.

But today, he is in a hospital room surrounded by his family, dying. The doctors have told them that it won’t be much longer now. The pneumonia he contracted last week has been too much for his weakened body. Laurette wrote last night that "Cornelius is resting comfortably with his baby and her stuffed animals snuggling close in his bed."

I’ve been so sad all day just thinking about him and everyone who loves him. Thinking and praying.

I keep remembering something that Laurette and Cornelius once shared with us. It was that every year on their wedding anniversary, they both put on their original wedding clothes and dance around their living room.

At the time I was just amazed at the idea that their clothes still fit them, but the more I thought about it the more I was amazed that they were just so darn romantic.

So Cornelius, I pray for peace for you today and always. And for another dance with your beautiful wife someday. -Monica