I Just Need To Know There Is A Plan

By M. Martin

My earliest memories are of her picking me up for school in the morning; tagging along with a car full of high school girls. As I got into high school and growing older, our features were noticeably very similar.  I had brown eyes like her, brown hair, and both of us were thin, about the same height. 

I got my first job working with her.   People always thought that we were sisters because of the resemblance, and often would mistake me for her.  That was always a compliment, for she was beautiful and I looked up to her.  I still hear her giving me pointers on what not to wear, and rules about boys. She bought my pregnancy test when I refused to admit that it might be real. 

Than when I was done crying, she convinced me what a blessing it was to be pregnant and promised to be there every step of the way.  I wanted to be just like her.  She was giving and grateful, attractive yet humble. 

The day she was diagnosed with cancer, I thought the world was coming to an end.  Something so horrible was happening to somebody so wonderful.  God's not taking her; not without me.  What could possible come good out of this ordeal? 

Lying in her hospital bed, 30 years-old and too beautiful for this earth; this will be my last memory of her, my best friend. 

She leans towards me as I sit very close and she says: "So, what's going on today on The Young and the Restless?"

On a daily basis I think about her and wish I could call her for advice.  I wish I could laugh and joke with her until we had tears running down our faces.  I wish we could go to the mall and shop until our credit cards wouldn't work anymore.  But I am going to be thankful for the time I had with her and all the good things she influenced on me.  I don't need to know what God's plan is. I just need to know that there is a plan and someday her and I we will be hanging out again.

M. Martin writes from Medford, Oregon.