Today marks 1 year that my dear friend, Marianne Delcambre, passed from this life here on earth to life in eternity. It has brought much joy to my day today, as well as a few tears, as I've reflected back on the years I was privileged to call Marianne friend. Marianne was one that could cause the darkest and dullest of atmospheres to come alive with love and laughter. To prove it, here are a few pics of her during our college years while living in our apartment...
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| Yes, those are hair clips in her eyes! |
She was truly one of the most beautiful women I've ever known...inside & out. Over the years she would cause me to laugh till my stomach hurt and would cry with me when I was brokenhearted. In more recent years she was a confidant for me during the joys & trials of adulthood, ministry & parenting. She understood my world & I understood hers. Friends like that aren't always easy to come by. She coined the term "bipolar express" for days when we were feeling overly emotional & a little bit insane. Oh, don't judge...if you are a mom or a woman...you know you have them too. :) I knew at any point I could quickly text her "I'm riding the bipolar express today" and she would know exactly what I meant and I knew I could count on her to pray.
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| Marianne & I on my wedding day! |
Marianne lived her life on purpose & had a profound impact on thousands because of the life she lived. She had a gift for making everyone around her feel important. Her daughter, Emily, reminded me a few weeks ago that
a lot of people called her mom "friend"...there is so much truth to that. I know that when she entered heaven's gates she heard the words that we all long to hear "well done thy good and faithful servant".
I am a better person because of having Marianne as a friend. I'll be honest and say that her death shook me to the core. She is the first of those closest to me that was taken from this earth so young & so suddenly. It was an awakening for me that our time on this earth is short & we better make it count. The past year I have been more purposeful than ever with nurturing my relationship with God, my husband and my girls knowing that any day could be my last. I want to live a life of no regrets.
Beyond being a girl's best friend she was an amazing mom & wife...and "amazing" doesn't even do her justice. More than anything on this earth she loved God, her husband Guy & their 3 precious girls. Anyone who ever met Marianne could testify to that. Marianne lives on through her girls. It's uncanny how much they resemble her in appearance & personality.
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| The Delcambre & Masengale Girls Together - It's my hope that our friendship is passed on through them. |
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Our family has spent quite a bit of time with Guy and the girls over the past year and I can honestly say I've never witnessed God's strength & grace so evident as it is in them. They are proof that God's Word is true and that He truly is our comforter, our peace, our ever-present help in time of trouble. They are proof that He gives strength to the weary and that He comforts those who mourn.
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| Guy & His Precious Girls |
Guy is a gifted writer & instead of hiding away over the past year, he has chosen to heal & share his journey through writing. Through his words many have found hope, salvation and healing. He is in the middle of writing his first book, a memoir, which is sure to touch thousands of lives. I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to follow Guy's blog & share it with others over the weeks and years to come:
allthingsdelcambre.com
Please continue to pray for them. As difficult as the past year has been for Guy & the girls...I know that out of the ashes, beauty is rising.
Marianne, you will never be forgotten and I'm so thankful that I have a hope to see you again!
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