My Sister, Patty

Patricia Jane Reynolds Cantrell
November 6, 1940-June 22, 2012

My sister, Patty, lost the battle to cancer, but lives now in heaven as she has been "made complete in Jesus Christ" and lives eternally. 

Patty was the "middle child" in our family of three daughters.
She was the one who sent away for the de-coding ring, the detective watch, and the other gadgets from the cereal boxes.  She was the one who got to get a 'real-cap-gun' complete with a holster, and who could make things out of anything.  She was the one who could draw, who could carve wood, who thought creatively and ideally.

She was the one who could make her ice cream cone last longer than anyone. and who could hold out longer in any sibling battle.  It was that tenacious spirit, that creative bent that gave her longevity and spunk.

Three months ago she was told she had "2 days to 2 weeks" to live because of metastisis breast cancer in her lungs.  Mind you, this was told to the woman who had very successfully lived 52 years with Type One Diabetes, who had had two bouts of breast cancer, who had had a heart attack, three-way by-pass surgery, and more coronary stints.

Patty continued to surprise all of us, living coherently, and without pain for these past three months.  She was a strong woman of faith, had strong opinions about many facets of life, and continued to the end to be interested in everyone around her. 

She, and her family, were insistent that Steve and I would continue with our long-made plans to take this trip to France.  As you can imagine, it was very difficult for us to leave both sisters under these circumstances.
LaVerne was a stronghold for Patty, and thankfully, with internet and phone calls I was able to remain in contact as well. 

These photos were taken the day we left, and after we prayed, and I was leaving the room, I turned to blow her a kiss, she smiled, the blew one back to me.  That is a good memory.

Over these past few months we spent much time together and we talked about death being that time when one comes to the door marked "EXIT" only to open it, and see the sign "ENTER"  I know that is, in truth, what happened for Patty. 
I am proud of her and happy that she has left the legacy of two strong daughters, also women of faith, and a host of many who loved her and whose lives she touched in positive ways.

We will miss her greatly.  It is not easy to say good bye to someone you love.