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Monday, December 17, 2007

It is Finished

I'm sorry to say, today at 1:07 Andrea passed away. Nic Anthony and I held her hands as she passed. It was hard but when I went to the hospital today I knew this was the day. She was unresponsive and all her signs had gotten worse over the night. It was time to let her go.
I will post another update tonight, knowing I won't be able to sleep but I wanted all of you to know that Andrea was at peace and she no longer is fighting cancer, but praising her savior.
Thank you all for you prayers and support.
Jim

24 comments:

  1. Jim, Anthony & Nic,
    our family said a prayer for you at dinner tonight to have peace with Andrea's passing. We know that she is with her God right now no longer in pain or having to fight. You have all been such an inspiration throughout this entire ordeal. We send you all of our love, support, and prayers.
    The Wrights

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  2. Jim, Nic and Anthony,
    I as so sorry for your loss. Andrea was loved by so many and will be missed a great deal. I am very thankful for the time our families had in Florida together. My prayers and thoughts are with you and I continue to pray for your peace and healing for yourselves. Andrea is now an angel to many,I feel very blessed to have known her.

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  3. Jim, Anthony, and Nic,
    Our family will continue to remember your families journey of healing and Andrea's unbelievable strength, undying faith and love for her family during the most difficult time in her life. Please know that our family has learned many valuable lessons about life and faith from your family. Andrea's journey of healing has taught our family about the true meaning of being a Christian.
    The Murphy's

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  4. Jim, Anthony and Nic,

    We are so sorry to hear that Andrea is gone but know that she is rejoicing with the Lord right now. Our prayers are with you. All of you have been such a witness through this battle that our hope rests in the Lord and all that waits for us. We love you.
    The Wallace Family

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  5. I am so sorry for your loss. She was a very special woman and very lucky to have such a loving husband and children. I am very happy to have known such a wonderful women like her. If there ever was a brave person in this world she was definately the one. She was an angel before and an angel now. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Anna

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  6. Jim and boys,
    My heart is full of sadness knowing that your dear wife and mother and my beautiful friend is gone. My heart is full of joy knowing that she finished the race without ever losing the hope that carried her through-she won against cancer-never letting its mercilessness touch her complete faith in God. Although I will miss her soft words full of love and encouragement and her eyes that smiled with understanding and inner joy, I know that she is in the presence of her beloved Savior. Praise God for her life and all she gave us while she was here with us and what her legacy of faith, hope and love leaves us. Our prayers are with you-love, Roz

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  7. HD, Anthony and Nic,
    We are sorry for your loss. We know you are at peace and that your faith remains strong. Andrea's determination was inspirational and we appreciate the time we were able to spend with her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    The Sproul Family

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  8. Jim, Anthony, and Nic--
    I am so sad to hear that Andrea is gone, even though I know she is with God. It was a privilege to have met and known such a beautiful, strong woman--I think and pray about her every day. So now I pray for you, for peace and healing and strength, and I smile to think of Andrea looking over us all from now on. What a spectacular guardian angel.

    "Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy." --old Eskimo quote

    We love you...Dawn and John Dress

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  9. Jim, Nic and Anthony

    We just wanted you to know we are thinking of you and praying for God's continued presence to comfort you. I am sorry for your sadness and yet blessed to witness such faith and devotion to God and each other. It has been such an honor to pray for you both and watch how you treat each other. I am in shock she is actually gone but so glad she no longer struggles. Thank you for sharing this time with us all.

    Love from the Neubecks

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  10. Jim, Anthony, Nic,

    Chris and I are so sorry for your loss. It took such courage to share your struggles with us all. We have cheered every victory and mourned the losses with you. Your witness on Dec. 15th to God's presence in Andrea's room was humbling.
    The Martins

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  11. Although we've never met you personally, I feel like I know both you and Andrea through reading your blog and through hearing about Andrea's battle from mutual friends. Thank you for sharing your struggles and shining examples of faith with all of us --you and Andrea have blessed so many lives through sharing your own. We will be praying for peace and healing for you and the boys now.
    The Nyikos Family

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  12. Jim, Nic and Anthony,
    We would just like to thank God for you, Andrea and your journey. Your experience has touched and taught us so much. Andrea's smile, presence and determination will be missed by so many. We thank God that she is resting in His care now. And as always we'll be praying for you and your family. May God continue to uplift and strenghten you. We love you,
    Al and Hal Jones

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  13. Jim, Nick and Anthony and all of Andrea's family,

    We are deeply saddened to hear about Andrea's passing. We will continue to pray that God will comfort you all. Your journey of healing was such an inspiration to us and your message of love and faith filled our hearts. Thank you for sharing Andrea's story with us. God bless all of you.

    Debbie & Ron Cooper

    Tomorrow Starts Without Me
    by David M Romano

    When tomorrow starts without me,
    And I'm not there to see,
    If the sun should rise and find your eyes
    all filled with tears for me,
    I wish so much you wouldn't cry
    The way you did today,
    While thinking of the many things,
    We didn't get to say.
    I know how much you love me,
    As much as I love you,
    and each time that you think of me,
    I know you'll miss me too.
    But when tomorrow starts without me,
    Please try to understand,
    That an angel came and called my name,
    And took me by the hand,
    and said my place was ready,
    In heaven far above,
    And that I'd have to leave behind
    All those I dearly love.
    But as I turned to walk away,
    A tear fell from my eye
    For all my life, I'd always thought,
    I didn't want to die.
    I had so much to live for,
    So much left yet to do,
    It seemed almost impossible,
    That I was leaving you.
    I thought of all the yesterdays
    The good ones and the bad,
    I thought of all the love we shared,
    and all the fun we had
    If I could re-live yesterday
    Just even for a while,
    I'd say good-bye and kiss you
    And maybe see you smile.
    But then I fully realized,
    That this could never be,
    For emptiness and memories,
    would take the place of me.
    And when I thought of worldly things,
    I might miss come tomorrow,
    I thought of you, and when I did,
    My heart was filled with sorrow.
    But when I walked through heaven's gates,
    I felt so much at home
    When God looked down and smiled at me,
    From His great golden throne.
    He said, "This is eternity,
    And all I've promised you."
    Today your life on earth is past,
    But here life starts anew
    I promise no tomorrow,
    But today will always last,
    And since each day's the same way
    There's no longing for the past.
    You have been so faithful,
    So trusting and so true.
    Though there were times
    You did some things
    You knew you shouldn't do.
    But you have been forgiven
    And now at last you're free.
    So won't you come and take my hand
    And share my life with me?
    So when tomorrow starts without me,
    Don't think we're far apart,
    For every time you think of me,
    I'm right here, in your heart.

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  14. Today One of our Angel's took her Journey Home!! Angels in heaven rejoiced for her long awaited return to the Creator Her Father! As we wept at her bedside tears flow down! As we knew this is no longer where she belonged. only for the thoughts of love we will miss her here with us. For she only belonged to us for us to witness God's Love, unwaviering in her Faith, faithfully she stood by us all, and awaited her Father's return Her Journey was to bring us Closer to the Lord in our Journey's Home that have yet to come. For us not to fear, when our time is near. She was a Daughter, sister, Aunt, Mother Wife, a good friend a true witness of Unwaivering Faith and of True Love. God sent us Andrea our Angel to give us the Gift of his Love. I will carry a special place in my Heart for Andrea and all of you. Thank you for Sharing Andrea, also the Journey to Healing . I can't help but believe we weren't here to help her heal but the other way around. I believe in my Heart she already knew that , and Took the Journey willing for us all. May you all Know that to know her was to simply to know LOVE in Human form. She was a Gracious Gift you shared Thank you, May we all take the Truth's that Andrea showed us and draw closer to the path that God has choosen for each of us in our endeavors to serve. Andrea was our Angel with her Bright Eye's Beautiful smile and the kindness in her soul,which shined through, all of the illness could never shake her spirit. Her Journey Home let all the Angels in Heaven Sing.
    With all the Love in my Heart sent out to all of you.
    Rhonda

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  15. Jim, Anthony and Nic,
    We are saddened at the loss of Andrea in our world. It is a comfort to know that she is with God now and that she is no longer in pain. We pray for you, that you will be at peace. We love you all so much. The Giefer's

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  16. Jim, Nic & Anthony,

    All of you are in our prayers. I've only known your family for a short time but I truly believe God brought us together. I've cherished my time with Andrea. We will be here for your family. We send you our love and support.
    The Strawthers

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  17. Jim, Nic, and Anthony,
    We love you guys and hold you close in our thoughts and prayers. Andrea means so much to our family--her strength and her faith has taught us much. Jim, your e-mails and blog entries have helped our whole family grow in Christ as well. Thank you. Andrea lives with her Lord and Savior. May He also comfort you until the day you are together again.
    The Hatters

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  18. Jim, Nic and Anthony,

    We have been praying for you - Our family loves you all so much - and the blessing of your friendship over these past few years has been one of an everlasting impact. Your journey has touched so many lives - some that you have not even met.

    Andrea has made an impact in our lives that will be felt forever. Thank you Jim, for reaching out to so many of us - and giving us the privilege of praying for your family - and of sharing your friendship. I so look forward to the reunion in heaven. What an incredible time that will be.

    Know you are loved and will be prayed for each day.

    Corky, Laurie, Justin and Rachel Lucia

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  19. Jim, Nic & Anthony
    I am so sorry for your loss. But today she is rejoicing for she is with our Lord and free of pain. Andrea is a remarkable lady that has touched and inspired so many people. She will always have a place in my heart. I will continue to pray for your family. Thank you for your faith. The Vossellers
    "Because Christ lives, death is not tragedy but triumph."

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  20. I am so sad today...but not for Andrea. She is being bathed in beauty as she stands before her savior. I am sad for this world for it is a darker place without her. Her light shines on though, in you Jim and in Nic and Anthony. Thank you for taking us on this journey with you.
    Love, the Radovcich Family

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  21. Dear Jim, Nic and Anthony,

    She had the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen! I will miss her....She loved you all and she was sooo loved!
    We are here for you. May the Blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

    The Cordova's

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  22. Dear Jim, Anthony & Nick,
    I pray that the God of peace will comfort your heart and keep you during this time of loss. What a wonderful reunion that is taking place at this times as God welcomed our dear sister home. I am sure he said well done thy good and faithful servant enter thou into the joys of the Lord which have been prepared for you. I will continue to pray and lift all of you up as you learn how to walk through this changing time in your life. Just remember that God loves you and that one day you will see your dear wife and mother again.

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  23. I`m so sorry she passed. But, if you think about it, since Christmas, she gets to celebrate Jesus` birthday with him. I hope that you, Nic, and Anthony can get through it. I love you!

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  24. Jim and Boys,

    Our family will continually lift you up in prayer all the while knowing that Andrea is smiling down on all of us. We love you and you have been a source of inspiration for us for all the time we have known you. God Bless you and keep you.

    The Killoughs

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