The McCarty Metro - My Final Thought

Thank you all our Metro subscribers who took time to express their condolences to my wife over the loss of her mother. She was a very special lady who never had anything bad to say about anyone. Lillian Rzepka was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001. It spread to her kidney shortly thereafter. She had a triple bypass in 2002. In 2004, the cancer had spread into her bones, and this past 3 months, it had gone to her brain. She fought the battle tooth and nail, going through countless chemo's, losing most of her hair, and massive radiation, along with going through countless studies and trials to help find a cure. 2 days after her final radiation treatment from her brain cancer, Lillian announced in a weak but unwavering voice "I am ready to go". She knew that the cancer would be the victor, and that something better lied ahead for her. She died on a Wednesday in her own bed with Margaret stroking her hair, and me holding her hand.

Lillian enjoyed playing cards, and traveling. After the initial diagnosis, Lillian went on several gambling trips with her "lady friends" to Vegas, Mississippi, and around Michigan. She also traveled with her family including visiting Alaska, The Smokey Mountains, and our most recent trip over Christmas, a Caribbean Cruise. Here is a photo of one of our nights aboard the ship.

One of our Metro subscribers wrote me these words... "Its always harder to let people who are kind and generous go. But I am sure it was harder for her to go. At least you all have wonderful thoughts and memories of her."

Rest in peace, Mom. We will all miss you.
-Kelly

Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.
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A Journey With The Lord
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Imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your prints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns. For much of the way it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints is the small 'sand print', safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

Again, this goes on for a long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back. And this time it seems even worse. Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream.

Now you speak. "Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you."

"That is correct."

"Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely."

"Very good. You have understood everything so far."

"Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way."

"Precisely."

"But this is my question. Lord.. Was there a regression or something? The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first."

The Lord smiles, then laughs. "You didn't know?"

He says. "My precious child. That was when we danced."