Inspired by Monica Rentfrow
Lately, I have been acutely aware of how I am a work in process. There are areas of my life I want to improve on and things about myself I want to change. Of course, to implement change I need to begin making different choices than I have been; but that is not always easy so it usually gets put off until “tomorrow”. After a while the goal seems all together out of reach and bigger than me. However, my pastor once said, “Choice is God’s gift of empowerment”…and he was right. Through my ability to choose to make different choices, I have the power to make the changes I want to see in my life. I have control over who I am and how I do things…not the other way around.
These are things I have been wrestling with for some time, but tonight I am looking at it all with greater focus and passion. My friend’s mom emailed me earlier today to tell me that my friend Monica (her daughter) passed away a little over a week ago. I met Monica and her mom back in 1996 when she and I were in the hospital for a month of intense therapy after major orthopedic surgeries and months of being in full body casts. Monica and I had the same form of dwarfism and though she was a lot younger than me, the common ground bonded us. With her living in Michigan and I in New Jersey, we never did see each other again, nonetheless, we kept in touch from time to time, inspiring each other on.
Well, last month Monica went in for surgery and when they went to intubate her, her trachea spasmed and they had to do an emergency tracheotomy. She developed a condition known as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Her mom said she fought hard for 24 days, but could no longer fight when pneumonia settled in after being on the ventilator for so long. I went numb as I read the email and my heart broke for her loved ones. Monica was only 28 years old. She had her Masters in Creative Writing and authored many literary works, but what I think she will be remembered for the most was her bigger than life personality. She was a go getter who knew how to live life passionately, courageously and to the full. Indeed, she inspired me…and still does.
Monica’s early death reminds me of just how fragile and short life is. It has motivated me to stop putting off the changes in me and my life that I keep saying I want to see. Just like Monica, I am not guaranteed tomorrow, so if I want to live a life of purpose then I’d better be living a life of purpose today! If I want to be a better person, then I’d better start being that person today! And if I want to develop better habits, then I’d better start developing them today! I can change…and with God’s help, I will starting today.
I don’t understand why God would take Monica home so early, but I am grateful that I had the privilege of knowing her and being inspired by her life. And though she is not with us anymore, Monica’s impact on those who knew her continues on.
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