A day of remembrance. A day to share.

I really don't write a lot on this blog if you can't tell already - mostly fun photos I take- as I go -maybe throwing in some quotes/captions here and there. But today I feel led to share a story with you. A story I share whenever I get the chance. A story that makes me reflect upon my own life. A story about a dear family friend, Melissa Greer Polsky.

Today, August 12th 2009, would have been her 30th birthday.

Melissa's father served as the pastor of my church for the first 18 years of my life. I quickly became best friends with Melissa's younger sister Brittany - since she was close to my age. We were inseparable and the Greer's were a huge part of my life/childhood memories {and still are}. I didn't have an older sibling, so Melissa and her older brother Brad played the part whenever I spent countless days/sleepovers/vacations with their family.

Melissa grew up to be an absolutely amazing women - stunning beauty, intelligence, contagious smile & laughter. Valedictorian of her graduating class at our high school - there was no doubt Melissa would ALWAYS be a success. We watched as she later graduated from college after college around the Southeast- pursuing her masters degree and landing a job as a meteorologist for WBTV in Charlotte, NC. Dream girl with her dream job who later found her dream guy. What else could a girl want?

At Melissa's wedding in September 2006 {I remember it as if it were yesterday} we sat at her bridal luncheon in Charlotte and watched the bride-to-be laugh hysterically and enjoy the company of her friends and family. She was such a beautiful bride and we had so much fun helping at the wedding and celebrating their marriage. Little did we know, this time together would forever be cherished as one of my last memories of Melissa.

She soon rejoiced over the news that her & her husband Roger were expecting! How wonderful! How exciting! How bittersweet. That joyful news was quickly overshadowed by a dark cloud that forever changed their lives. During her pregnancy, doctors discovered Melissa had a serious form of cancer called neuro-endocrine carcinoma {which may never have surfaced if she hadn't gotten pregnant}. She immediately began aggressive chemotherapy and Melissa was one of the strongest fighters I think anyone had ever seen. Fighting not only for her own life, but for the life of her unborn child. Once her beautiful, amazingly healthy baby boy Connor was born in February - she began even more extensive treatment at the University of Iowa. Anything and everything was done to try and remove this aggressive cancer from her frail body. Prayers were lifted up each and every day for Melissa. She lay in the hospital so weak, barely able to hold her new precious baby boy. While it should be one of the happiest times of her life - it was the most uncertain and painful, to say the least.

{Roger, Melissa, and Connor - shortly after his birth}

After even further treatment, her condition seemed to improve....there was always hope.

until April 2007.

when Melissa lost her battle.

2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept my faith"

Through it all, Melissa's faith never wavered. Times of uncertainty were replaced with a constant reminder that EVERYTHING is in God's hand and HIS plan will always happen for a reason. "But what reason?" we asked. "Why?". Why did this happen to such a young mother? Why did this happen to such a successful, beautiful woman? Why did this happen to such a sweet, vibrant daughter, sister, wife and friend?

"melissa was ready, unafraid, and will leave behind a testimony of faith greater than any thing that i could ever achieve...melissa greer polsky always rose to the occasion and she did this time as well!! " - from her father, pastor Terry Greer

In those short six months of her valiant fight, Melissa learned just how important life's little moments were and she learned just how unimportant some "what we thought were big things" were. Melissa's testimony really spoke to me. Being one who is often consumed in materialistic things of this world and vanity - I watched Melissa let it be known through her testimony that those things that she too thought were so important in life - even silly things - like making sure your hair was always oh-so-perfect, having the best designer purse, car, house, etc... meant absolutely NOTHING. It could all be gone in an instant. What does any of it mean if we are not in good health? if we do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

If we continue to focus on materialistic items, investing in them during this lifetime - what have we invested in eternity?

"Do not put away riches for yourselves on earth. Moths and rust can destroy them. Thieves can break in and steal them. ²⁰ Instead, put away riches for yourselves in heaven. There, moths and rust do not destroy them. There, thieves do not break in and steal them. ²¹ Your heart will be where your riches are. - Matthew 6:19-21

I tell others of Melissa's story as a constant reminder of how fragile and uncertain life really is. A reminder to myself to see past the unimportant items of this world and focus on a bigger, more grand purpose that we are here for - to serve. to witness. to live. to laugh. to love. to fight a good fight.

just as Melissa did.
Please continue to keep Melissa's husband Roger and son Connor in your prayers, as well as Melissa's immediate family and friends. Her mother commented today that in honor of Melissa's 30th birthday, we should all put on a "happy song" and dance as hard as we can - just as Melissa would, remembering to enjoy the little moments, not things, that make it all worth while.

{Connor Polsky Age 2 April 2009 }
Happy & healthy little boy!

{my sister Courtney holding Connor as he grins}
his smile as contagious as his mothers'

Other prayer requests:
Please pray for this mom and other women that need your prayers.

Today is a day of remembrance. Today is a day to share. Today is a day to take time to reflect and be thankful for what the Lord has given us.