GLENDA

I don’t care how strong you think you are, death can weaken and break you down.  

I lost my dad in 2001 and it hurt me. My dad was the first man that I loved. He was a man that led by example. He took pride in his family. He was firm but fair. Not only was he a father to his four children but a father figure to many others. I watched my mother grieve over my dad, her husband of over 35 years. In 2003, my mother died from an aneurysm medically, but I believe it was from a broken heart.  

My mom was more than my mom, she was my best friend, my confidant, my advisor, essentially she was my everything. I suffered from depression but nobody knew. I would put a smile on my face for the public but little did they know I was dying on the inside. When my mom died, a part of me died as well. I was so deep in a dark hole that I didn’t see a way out. I kept my mom’s clothes for years, only to get in the closet to smell the scent of her because I missed her so bad.  

However, the death of my 4 year old grandson to Cystic Fibrosis nearly destroyed my sanity. Although it’s been 4 years, I still relive his final week on this earth. The thing that shook me was when I leaned over that hospital bed to kiss Jayden and told him granny was here and that I loved him. That one tear that came out of the corner of his eye told me that he was leaving us. However, I do know that his healing came on the other side.

It has been a difficult journey for me dealing with the deaths of my loved ones. I know God allows us to go through situations so that we can help someone else. It’s through me encouraging, praying, and lifting others up that my healing comes.  

I’m able to make it through days that I feel down or in a depressed state. Also, my other 2 grandchildren keep me very busy so that keeps me uplifted and upbeat. I’ve went from being on anti-depressants to trusting God and living a healthier lifestyle. 

-Glenda Marshall