Linda Marie Marchese Schulle was born August 14, 1956. To know Linda was to love Linda. She went to high school with me. I didn't really know her in school. She was a cheerleader, so I knew who she was, but we weren't "friends". At one of the class reunions, we became reacquainted.
I can remember, in 2010, Linda was diagnosed with Stage 3c breast cancer. Her husband is self-employed and they did not have insurance or had really bad insurance. So, our classmates did a fund-raiser for her. I saw her about a year later at a class reunion and we talked about her health, her family, and her faith. Linda had a faith that never waivered through her illness. She was very outspoken of her trust in God and her appeals to Him. She prayed for a miracle. I prayed for a miracle. Hundreds prayed for a miracle. I sent Linda a card every week and included either a Bible verse or words of encouragement. We became official penpals. Our connection became deep. Our connection became fused in our souls. Funny, her words to me when she received her card were encouragement to me. Who was suppose to be encouraging who?
Linda was one of the Travelin' Tiger Ladies. If you don't know what that is, you can read a previous blog explaining that special group of ladies. (https://lifeinarv.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-traveling-lady-tigers.html) She was our core, our heart. Her smile could light up a room. She had a heart of mercy and tenderness for everyone. Her husband told me a story of how Linda and a few ladies at her church were the "choir". They had practiced music for this particular Easter service. The day before, the priest told them that they would not be singing. He had arranged for someone else to do the music. The other ladies were very upset and had their feelings hurt. Linda thought about it for a couple of days and then went to the ladies and the priest and smoothed everything out with everyone while remaining empathetic to each party. Are you getting a sense of how special she was?
Because of her faith, I know that someday I will see Linda again. The next time we see each other, it will be forever. This life on earth is only for a short time. In heaven, we will be with our loved ones forever. So, I believe Linda is looking down on us and "cheering" us on as we run this race called life. Of course, I also believe that I will be a size 6 in heaven! I do know that Linda is no longer in immense pain, she has 2 breasts again, she is not scarred by radiation and she is not having to worry about her "fake boob" floating out of her swim suit and having to catch it!
Please pray for her husband, her 3 grown children, and her 3 grandchildren. They are broken-hearted. I am broken-hearted. Special friends are few and far between. It is hard to lose one. How do you send a text or make a phone call to heaven?
However, this one thing I know. Linda would want us all to move through our grief and celebrate this life we have and live it to the fullest. So, on our next outing, I hope the Travelin' Tiger Ladies will laugh long and laugh loud. Linda may not be there in her physical being, but I know her spirit will be there in someone's smile, some words spoken, some hug given.
I miss you terribly Linda Schulle, but I will see you again.
Friday was the day we laid you rest.
But you know what they say,
God only takes the best.
Everything happens for a reason,
even if we don't agree.
Just promise to look after us,
and save a spot for me.
It is hard to not question,
what God has planned.
Sometimes it is not meant,
for us to understand.
So, as I sit here and mourn,
the loss of my precious friend.
I will treasure my memories,
until we meet again.
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