Stunningly Beautiful

To celebrate the book launch of one of our dear friends, we gathered at a Mexican restaurant. Bailey and I sat among friends we were eager to meet and some I was thrilled to see again. The only person I didn’t know was a stunningly beautiful woman at the end of the table. When she introduced herself I was in shock. I recognized her name immediately. Among our group she was a hero. She was valiantly fighting a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Though I had been praying for her daily, writing my prayers in red glitter because she told me it was her favorite color, I was not expecting her to feel well enough to join us for lunch. I certainly didn’t expect that someone who was in the midst of such a horrendous battle with cancer would look like a model.

Being me, I commented on her beauty and her strength. Lexi, being her, deflected and downplayed both with her signature humor and snark.

Throughout the next two days, Lexi continually showed her strength, humor and vitality. People, including me, were drawn to her spirit, her honesty, and her joy. She knew then that at some point cancer would take her life. She had clearly determined that she would not allow it to take any part of her living fully while she was here.

During the weekend she laughed with the entirety of her spirit and caused others to laugh with her. She brought joy to all those around her. I left that weekend with a desire to live life more fully and to focus on what and whom was important.

This morning, Lexi won her battle with cancer. Cancer will not longer cause her pain , no longer interfere, and no longer force her to live around it. She is now completely healed. Lexi, we will follow you to Heaven someday. Until then, our hearts ache with our loss and rejoice with your gain. We will do our best to live without reservation. We will try to love our people as deeply as you loved yours. Thank you for showing such bravery in the midst of your pain and joy in the midst of the unknown.