Mary Grace Piper 1998 – 2018

(Edit: I've learned that some people reading this didn't realize that Grace has been a dear friend of mine for about 20 years. Due to my frequent posts about childhood cancer, some might have thought this was a girl I learned about through Ellie's Hats.)

This will likely be my longest FB post to date. If you’re so inclined to read it, let me tell you about Mary Grace. She was the middle child of 9 children and one of only two girls. She was kind and sweet, yet she was also spunky. She was a no nonsense kind of girl. When she found out in March that she had cancer, she never felt sorry for herself, but matter-of-factly declared that some people get cancer. She was an amazing writer and a gifted artist. Among other things she liked “coffee, decorating cakes, musicals, pretty dresses, setting a nice table and making other people smile.” She was a fighter who fought so hard to live and while doing so she chose faith over fear. It was said that even though she was in misery, she was never miserable. She was known to thank her nurses even if what they were doing to her wasn’t comfortable. Her brother Matthew admitted that trying to describe Mary was difficult because her “colors were too bright, she loved too deeply and she lived too vibrantly.” When it came to the reality that she might die, she wasn’t concerned about herself, but rather about how it would hurt her Mom and her family.

If you wonder where Mary’s strength came from, look no farther than her amazing Mom, who is so aptly named Grace. She is a tower of strength and a woman of deep, abiding faith. Near the end, as Mary’s health declined, she was trusting in the God whom she knew could heal her daughter, yet might not and wrote this:

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
But even if he does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18

When Mary “left” as her brother so beautifully said, Grace wrote, “Mary Grace Piper flew into the arms of Jesus at 12:10 a.m. this morning, Monday, Jan. 22. Her homecoming was peaceful and quick. I was blessed to be able to spend time washing her, and singing praise songs over her. Rubbing fragrant lotion onto every finger and toe as I sang, reminded me of doing the same thing for a sweet little newborn baby girl, 19 1/2 short years ago. My comfort is that she no longer has any pain, and the body which has held her back in so many ways, for so many years, no longer holds the winning hand. She is finally running, leaping, skipping, swimming, flying, completely unencumbered!
‘But just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven, Of touching a hand, and finding it God's, Of breathing new air and finding it celestial, Of waking up in glory, and finding it home.’
God is good.”

Two days later, while sitting under a blanket by a fire, like Mary, Grace was more worried about others, especially those who didn’t have the relationship she has with Jesus.
“We've been so blessed to be surrounded by such love and support; God in His mercy is making sure how totally loved and enveloped in loving arms I am right now. There are times when I have known the pain of feeling totally abandoned, but this is not one of those times...I have to ponder why? Our circumstances have not changed. We are feeling the horrible silence of separation; the pain in our hearts feels like a tangible thing. It's because love, specifically the love of Christ, is a real thing. It has power that supersedes even pain. I don't understand it, but I can't deny it… And it begs two questions in my mind. How can an intangible thing be, at the same time, the most tangible thing of all? And how do people survive who have only blankets and fires (If even that), but not the life-sustaining, oxygen-giving liferope of this thing called love? Praying tonight for those who feel alone in heart-wrenching times like these. My heart is yours, my prayers are yours. Anyone home alone tonight in times of sorrow or need..know that you are not alone, because I am lifting you up to a Father who is good, powerful, strong and kind. Run to Him. I am running right alongside you.” short homecoming dresses 2018