Amazing Grace

“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” – Proverbs 17:17

Aristotle says, “a true friend is one who not only likes us for who we are but also one who wants what is good for us. Friendship is a relationship of reciprocal goodwill in which each party likes the other party for the other person’s sake, always wanting what is good for the other.”

At the untimely passing of my friend, Grace, I couldn’t help but feel the injustice losing a precious friend to cancer. But I can only find some solace knowing heaven has gained a rare angel. Her life on earth made a massive impact on me throughout the years. I will deeply miss her sweet presence in my life.

My friendship with Grace dates back to when we attended graduate school together. After graduation, she eventually started developing the local alumni chapter and recruited me as one of her alumni chairs. She wore many hats working at the university, and often asked me for help when working on web projects. Over the years I’ve enjoyed many work-related meetings, working out at the gym together, and conversations about family life. Although Grace had an inner circle of friends, she always made me feel as if I belonged and welcomed me into her home. Her big hugs and contagious smile were warm and inviting and she held me as if she never wanted to let go. 

After her father passed away, Grace and her husband, Dave, remodeled their home to take care of her mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She was one of the few people in life who could empathize and sympathize what it is like caring for and eventually losing both parents. Our talks about our parents encouraged me when my father was ill, especially when he passed away. As we both shared the loss of losing parents, she was a light of hope as we moved forward for our families. In the midst of being caretakers, she still managed to earn her doctoral degree and always found ways to embark on new entrepreneurial endeavors with her husband.

When I last spoke with Grace about her brain tumor, I was touched by her willingness to fight due to the love for her husband, daughter, and son. Although she finally succumbed to cancer, her life’s testimony lives on through the memory of our friendship and the many lessons I learned from her about perseverance.