The Need to Remember - Personal Story

Christine's Story by Carl (Liverpool)

Four years ago, in the December period, Christmas Eve to be exact, my beautiful sister Christine was given the news that no cure could be found for the liver cancer that had made her so ill that year. She was also told that her life expectancy was only a matter of weeks, this was devastating for the family (especially Mum). As a parent, you don’t expect to outlive your children and we will never know how Mum felt, or still feels to this day.

The Christmas period was very difficult, tears flowed as we contemplated life without Christine.

Coming from a large family, 5 brothers and 4 sisters, Christine knew what it was like to be loved, and that love was needed now more than ever, as we supported her husband Gary and her two beautiful girls, Jenny and Emma through this traumatic time.

I had the wonderful privilege of growing up with Christine as there was less than two years age difference between us and I have wonderful memories of her as a child, teenager and as an adult.

Christine had an amazing love for people, she would give to others before giving to herself, she worked hard and was truly a blessing to all who knew her.

During December and the following January, myself, the family and other Christian believers all over the world were now praying for a miracle, that Christine would receive her healing.

Being a Christian myself, my heart for her was that God would heal her not just physically but also spiritually.

It was the beginning of January that I visited Christine at her home in Burnley, Lancashire for a few days. We had a beautiful time together, sharing memories and thoughts of our childhood.

Christine had a wonderful sense of humour, and as you can imagine coming from such a large family we had much to laugh about, remembering holidays in North Wales and family get-togethers.

We sat on the bedroom floor and she expressed her fears, it was an emotional time as I tried to understand some of what she was going through. I felt it was right to share with her my faith in Jesus Christ, how He could give her a peace in her time of need. We prayed together and at that moment Christine accepted Jesus into her life, she said she felt a wonderful peace, different to anything she had experienced before. I believe it was the peace of God that transcends all understanding. I returned home to my wife and children in South Wales a few days later.

We only had Christine with us for another six weeks until she passed away.

Christine was forty one when she took her last breath on earth, but for her, earth was only a temporary home, her permanent residence is with God, her Heavenly Father.

In Heaven there is no more tears, pain or suffering, just pure joy without measure.

I can’t thank God enough for giving me such a beautiful sister, Christine, even though she was only here for a short while. I’m so glad that Christine knew what it was to trust God in those last days.

My prayer is that as you read my story, you too will know the love and peace of God in your situation. God Bless.

With much love,

Carl.