Update #3 - My Friend Has Cancer: Mil & Dil (A Modern Day Ruth and Naomi)

Two words destined to go down in history - MIL & DIL.  We've, at times, been compared to the kooky Lucy & Ethel or silly Lavern & Shirley but my prayer is that we will always and forever be remembered as a modern day Ruth and Naomi. No doubt the two former fictional duos, as we have seen on t.v., shared experiences that leave us in tears whether in joy or sorrow. But Ruth & Naomi were so much more... They were real people, living real lives that to this day teach us of an unwavering love shared between a MIL & DIL, and more so the unconditional love of our Father in Heaven.

These two women clung to each other during good times and bad.  Naomi only wanted the best for Ruth and tried to send her back to her mother.  But Ruth would not leave Naomi's side, even unto death.  What causes this type of unyielding devotion? I have asked myself this question many times.  It is by the grace of God that two people were willing to selflessly put aside their own desires for the benefit of the other person.  The Lord teaches these two people to build each other up and help the other reach beyond what they could have ever hoped to accomplish regardless of their weaknesses.  This is the kind of love that cannot be described and it is through this particular kind of love that shines the love of Christ.

Some of us have relationships that tell a story of love similar to these two but I would like to focus on the mother-in-law (MIL) and (daughter-in-law (DIL) aspect of this story.  

I found a note that Tasha & I wrote to each other a few years ago which, in a nutshell, sums up who we are to each other. I'm cautiously letting down my guard in order for you take a peak into my heart and a very personal area of my life. 

Here's our story: 

Me:  

The only words I have to describe our precious relationship  are found in the Book of Ruth. Although we have not experienced the kind of loss they did (praise The Lord) we have still gone through tough times and we held on to each other ever so tightly.  We have stayed together till all the dust cleared and now we can see the house that "LOVE" rebuilds and the beauty that still lives within us.  I thank you for never letting me feel alone and I thank The Lord for such a wonderful DIL! Next to Naomi (in the Bible) I am the most blessed MIL ever. 

Tasha:

Thank you MIL! I love you more than words can express! People may look at us funny, but they have no clue the depth of our relationship! We have gone through so much and every time we've come out stronger! When I prayed for my husband, I had no idea I would get a MIL like you! I have so much fun with you ALL the time! I pray that I can be half the blessing that you've been to me!  I pray our lives and relationship shine His love, mercy, and joy! Thank you MIL for never letting me down, for always guiding me in the ways of the Lord, and making me laugh till I almost pee my pants! You and Papa have never made me feel like an outsider in the family! I've always just been, thank you for that! Lots of love and smothering hugs...I know you like those!

Like every dynamic duo, we too have a theme song, "I'm with you" by Amy Grant and Nicole Nordeman.  I've included the link in case you'd like to listen to it: 

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NHZZyNGvOVY

The reason I have allowed one of my "walls" to  come down is in hopes that you would understand where I'm coming from when I give you the next "Tasha Update".  Her appointment with the thyroid cancer specialist is around the corner but before she can begin the process the "financials" have to be in order. Bottom line to the "financials"...there is none.  She has been accepted into a group that greatly discounts all the expenses that comes with this type of situation and will allow payments to be made until the balance is paid in full. So for that we are thankful.  But the remaining balance is still going to be about $75,000.  

After Tasha's "financials appointment" she called to give me the news but broke down inconsolably.  I felt helpless, especially being on the phone and not even able to share a hug.  I thought to myself, this is my DIL, I must to do whatever I can to help, so I went to the Lord.  I found a website where I could start a donation page in Tasha's name called giveforward.com.  Here is my plea... I have set up a donation account in her name at:

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/bxy2/tasha-delacruz-cancer-fund

Every bit helps and if we put all the bits together we can knock out the chunk, in Jesus name. I'm asking from the bottom of my heart to help my DIL in this time of need.  I'm also asking that you to please pass on this request to anyone and everyone you know. I know I might be asking a lot but this is my DIL we're talking about!

Thank you for taking the time to read these updates.  It means a lot to me and especially my DIL. And thank you, in advance, for all your help! 

I'll continue to keep you posted!

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. (Ruth 1:16-18 NIV)