It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way ~ Part 2

Her mom got the call less than 24 hours after arriving in Indiana. What was supposed to be a weekend of family wedding fun and catching up with lifelong friends suddenly took a dramatic turn. The flight back to Las Vegas was full of anxiety with so many unknowns. No clear answers to so many questions. Just get to the hospital and figure it out from there.

Haely was born in January 1997 in Las Vegas to my friend Carrie (who loved being a mom). Haely was a force to be reckoned with, and years were spent following her and supporting her in countless endeavors. She was a college cheerleader for the University of Nevada Reno, which is where she met her best friend, Aniles.

To know Haely was to see tenacity, resilience, commitment, ambition, dedication, and so much more. And although those are commendable and desirable traits, they weren’t the most important.

I stood in the kitchen at Carrie’s house on the evening following Haely’s Celebration of Life. Family and a few friends gathered to continue remembering and reflecting on the tremendous impact that Haely had on every life she encountered. I listened as her girlfriends spoke so passionately. In the midst of one story after another, I quickly noticed a common thread. Whether the story was intense, sad, happy, or funny, the end was always the same: “Haely told me to love them”. “Haely told me I have to forgive him.” “Haely said I can’t hold bitterness toward her.” Over and over, they repeated the same messages. And scattered between those stories and the wisdom beyond her years were little nuggets that each one of those friends was clinging tightly to. I just listened, trying to take it all in. Each of them would make seemingly casual comments that were something like, “Well, you know, that’s how God works”. Or, “He knows the number of our days”.

Finally, one of the girls said, “But I seriously don’t understand how she always loved, always was willing to forgive, always looked for the best interest of someone else”. That was it. That was my opportunity. Thank you, Haely. I quickly replied, “That’s the fruit of the Spirit. That’s because she knew Jesus”.

Haely knew the never-ending love of her parents, Carrie and Michael. She was adored by her siblings, Jordan, Mikie, and Devynn. Her grandparents, cousins, and other close family members meant the world to her. Each of them will grieve her loss in very unique ways and for undetermined periods of time. But I can assure you this, Haely will not be forgotten.

Although we’re left with more questions than answers at this point, Haely is personally enjoying and experiencing the love of Jesus that she had discovered. That means there’s hope. Hope for me and every other broken and sin-filled life. Whether most realized it or not, her life pointed to Jesus. And as each of us is called out of this life and into one eternity or the other, that’s all I can ask or hope for.

Haely’s life mattered. Haely’s life made a difference. God, please help us to honor Haely’s legacy and You in everything we say and do. It’s not supposed to be this way. But we’re going to trust You with her story.

Galatians 5:22-24 ~ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.