Thursday, February 28, 2008

In Memory Of My Cousin


Carole Jane Cochran McNeese

Age 47

She went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning. Carole was a very special lady. There is so much that I could say about her. Carole has been fighting MS for a very long time. She has 3 grown children and a husband that loves her very much. Carole has been in a nursing home for several years so she could get the care that she needed. She got to the point where she could not talk and all she could do was move just one hand. But with that one hand, Carole could say so much more than anyone I know. When I went to visit and would talk to her, she would raise her hand and praise the Lord. When I first started visiting Carole a few years ago, I thought that I might help her to feel better. But after my first visit, I found out that I did not help her as much as she helped me. Through everything she went through, she always praised the Lord. Carole was raised in a Christian home and was blessed with a Godly husband. If you mentioned her husbands name, her eyes would light up. She loved him so. If I have ever saw true love, they had it. He stood by her all the way. What an example both Carole and her husband are to me. When we went to the funeral home tonight, her husband told me that he was so proud of her and her life. He knows where Carole is. She is 6 years younger than me, yet she taught me so much about life. When I think of her, I think of that verse in the Bible that says:


II Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith......


To me, that says it all. I am proud to call Carole my cousin. Please keep her husband and children, her mom & dad, brothers & sisters in your prayers.


21 comments:

AngelK said...

What a beautiful tribute to your cousin. I understand exactly what you are talking about. My work in the nursing home blesses me tremendously. You can go in there having a bad day and the residents will be so happy to see you and it never ceases to amaze me the amount of faith they have and how much they love the Lord. They lift me up daily. My prayers will be with your family. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I hope you will visit often and I am really going to try to keep it updated. You have a wonderful blog and I think you are a blessing too!

Alice Grace said...

What a beautiful angel we have lost, but heaven has gained. Thank you for this lovely tribute to a lovely person. She was an inspiration in all her suffering. We were able to see true love between Carole and her husband and I am so glad she had that comfort along with the comfort that only the Lord can give.

Heather said...

What a sweet tribute about a true inspiration. I love the verse. I think you are right. It does say it all about her life. Thank you for sharing about her. I also am awed by their marriage and commitment to each other. It speaks volumes.

Krista said...

Your family will be in my prayers. She sounds like such a strong & wonderful woman. Isn't it amazing how the Lord shows his strength through what some might see as weakness?

Nanette Merrill said...

Touching, I'm so happy for your cousin! She is released from the MS and has graduated to the next life. That is always so thrilling. Yes everyone will miss her but I believe deep in my soul that death is sweet for those that love the Lord and try to do what is right. Just as you describe your sweet cousin has done. Thank you for sharing her story. I work as a manager at a large neurological practice. There is so much stuggling that goes with that disease. Its hard to watch sometimes.

Diane said...

As the others have said, that was a beautiful tribute to your cousin. May the Lord continue to comfort your hearts, and give you strength in the days ahead. I hope the following Scriptures will be of some comfort.

1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

1Th 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Martha said...

Yes, a beautiful tribute to your much loved cousin. And what beautiful Words of comfort God has given.

Bethany said...

What a beautiful post. I only hope that I can be such an inspiration to those around me when I go to be with my Lord.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Wanda said...

What a beautiful tribute to such a young godly woman ~ It's hard to lose them whether young or old ~ we just had the funeral a week ago for my dear Aunt, 98.

~~ My prayers are with you and the family ~~

Donna. W said...

Sounds like a wonderful person. Thanks for your comment in my blog; I subscribed to your blog VIA bloglines, so I will be back.

Midlife Mom said...

This post brought tears to my eyes. What a lovely triblute to your dear cousin! Isn't it comforting to know that she is healthy and happy in the arms of our Heavenly Father?!!

I'm glad you stopped by, come again soon! I love having new folks to meet and getting to know them via their blogs. I enjoyed opening your blog up to 'I Can Only Imagine' it is one of my favorite praise songs!!

We're getting hit with another big storm today, up to 16 inches of snow! Yikes!

kc bob said...

I am sitting here this morning crying as I read your words and listen to the Hillsong rendition of My Redeemer Lives.

Tomorrow I am preaching.. my sermon title is Flowing with Weakness.. people with MS like you cousin and my wife have so much to teach us about being strong when we are weak.

Thanks so much for sharing this and touching my heart this morning.

Blessings, Bob

Needled Mom said...

Carole sounds like she was an incredible woman. Although her life was much too short it does sound as though she left everyone who knew her blessed from her presence in their lives. My prayers will be lifted for her family during this difficult time.

Thanks for visiting my blog. It is such fun reading some of your older posts and seeing your quilt challenge in progress. That is quite a beginners quilt that you tackled.

Alice Grace said...

Valerie, your choice of music for Carole's tribute is awesome! I just leave it on constantly just to listen to the comforting music. Thank you!

Vivien Zepf said...

Prayers and condolences to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to read the news of your cousin's passing. My thoughts are with her family and yours at this time.

Cherry xoxo

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for your loss, my condolences to you, Carole's family and friends.
Carolyn
http://willowhouse.typepad.com

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

I came to visit your blog after you posted a comment on mine and your post touched me so much. I have a 26 year old daughter with MS and a 52 year old sister with MS so this disease has certainly touched our family. I will say a prayer for your cousina dn your family.

Jen said...

What a wonderful thing. She seemed so special. I'm so sorry for your loss....Dont cry because it's over...smiled because it happened....that is my motto alot of times....

CONNIE W said...

I'm sorry for your loss. God bless and keep your family during this sad time.

Paula said...

Wow this post touches close to home for me. My husband is 47 and has MS. He is a special blessing and I've learned so many things from him. I know your cousin will be missed terribly, but I am so grateful that the Lord has prepared for us a better place and those we love aren't lost forever. We will see them again.