Humbled by Greatness

Ana and Monte last August at our parents 60th anniversary party.

I am so in awe of my brother’s family’s strength.  I cannot imagine what they are all going through and it breaks my heart watching from the outside.  I truly think if I were in my sister in law Ana’s shoes, I’d have broken long ago.  She has so much on her plate and is being stretched so thin that I am asking each of you reading this to please say a prayer for her, my brother and their whole family.

Monte and Ana surrounded by their beautiful family

Her humility and her faith astound me.  Some of the things that some people have said to her, in the face of all she is already enduring, would have sent me over the edge and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I would not have been able to keep my composure, much less her Christianity.  Despite what has been thrown at her she has shown grace and love.  She takes care of my brother with such care and compassion that you can just feel the goodness of her soul.

Ana and Monte with their precious grandchildren

She and I were talking the other day when I was up there and I told her very honestly that I do not know how she is continuing.  I don’t know how she is even so much as putting one foot in front of the other.  She replied in her loving and calm manner “I know Gods got something waiting for me.”  I was astounded by her sheer faith that no matter what is happening now, she will be rewarded later.  I wish I had that kind of faith.  I told her sort of jokingly but with all sincerity “Honey, whatever it is… it better be really great!”  I mean that with all my heart.  With everything she has been through between her own personal health battles, then her daughter’s battle with stage 4 breast cancer and now the battles with my brother’s terminal cancer… she deserves something really great in her life.

Ana, at their house about a month ago.

I am simply humbled in her presence and in awe at the love and grace that she shows every day.  I can’t thank her enough for being the wonderful wife that she has been to my brother.  She literally has stuck by him through thick and thin, in sickness and in health and never wavered in her love for him.  Ana, I tip my hat to you dear.  We are so fortunate to have you as part of our family.  You are one in a million.

This song is her ring tone and the last time I was there I mentioned I liked it and despite all she’s going through, she made sure she went out and picked up a copy of the CD for me.  What a sweetheart.  It’s called Glorious Day by Basting Crowns.  I include this here for you:

And just to show my appreciation and love for you I dedicate this song to you “I  Hope You Dance”

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