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Light a Candle
Terri J. (Loomis) Flanagan was my sister and best friend. She passed away in December from Congestive Heart Failure due to complications from Kidney failure, at the very young age of 41 years old. She struggled with diabetes for many years prior to the kidney disease.
Terri had a wonderful heart and a great love for the Lord, for her family and for life. She was very creative, always drawing something or making something fantastic with a glue gun and a few scraps of ribbon. She loved picnics and spending time with family.
Terri had four sisters, a step-sister and a step-brother. Growing up Terri and I spent many hours together. We were there for each other in all of life's major and minor moments. Terri and I had the opportunity to finish High School together. I always teased her that I graduated before she did, even though she was older, because Ta comes before Te, so I got my diploma first. She was in my wedding, and I in hers. She was so happy to marry her husband Mike. She was there when my first child was born and I was there to support her when she was able to bring her long- awaited son, Matthew home. We walked through the death of our Mom and Dad together. We had many sad times and but enjoyed many good times.
Terri loved children and was a day care provider for many years. She was able to share her love for the Lord with the children she cared for and was able to give many children a safe, fun place to be while their parents worked. When kidney failure took over her life she had to end her daycare career, which was very sad for her.
Terri is greatly missed by her family and friends. This web page is a great way to honor her memory.
If Terri were still here, I believe this is the one thought she would share. No matter how many dialysis bags we do, no matter how many medications we take, no matter how many times we call the doctor and tell them we are sick, when it's your time to leave this earth it's your time. We never know if, like Terri, we will go to sleep and not wake up. The most important things are, what you do while you're here, that you tell your loved ones how much you love them because, you never know when your time will come, and most importantly you know where you will go when you leave. There is life beyond this world. We have a loving Savior, named Jesus, who wants you to be with him someday. The only way to do that is to acknowledge you are a sinner in need of a savior and accept him as your savior. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosever believeth on him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16.
Terri's time here is done, though sad, we know she is in a better place. We know she no longer suffers, isn't tied down to a dialysis machine, is able to see loved ones who have gone before and see her Savior face to face.
The following poem was one we used at Terri's funeral and is sums up her life very well:
"I'm Free"
"Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to play. Tasks left undone must stay that way. I found that place at the close of the day.
If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow. I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much. Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me God wanted me now, He set me free." Author Unknown
