The following letter is one that I received from a woman who knew my late wife Leah Cecile from school days together. She read my book “Glimpse of an Angel” and wrote me this heartfelt letter. We spoke just last night and shared many memories. She also agreed to submit her story about how cancer has affected her life, and how God has always been there for her even in her darkest hour.
I post this in effort to encourage others to submit their stories as I only want to put into print what I believe will inspire. Fifty; three page stories will be selected and all proceeds after cost of publication and advertisement will go to Hospice to help others on this journey. I hope that you will join me in thanksgiving and prayer by submitting your own personal story. Below is the letter from a woman whom we will only at this time call Gail.
Thank you and may God Bless
***********************************************************************************

Hi There! I only met you one time, at Ware Shoals High School, when we had our High School Reunion. You brought Cecile. I do not know Leah, for she was always Cecile to me, my dearest and closet friend, before I married and we drifted apart, Cecile and me.

I know the pain you feel, because I lost my precious husband on February 7th of this year. Then on August 4th, I lost my Mother. The pain of losing them is almost unbearable. If I didn't have a close and personal relation with God, I would not be able to get through it, especially this Christmas Season. This has been the hardest time for me yet. I pray it doesn't get any worse than this.

Then I bought your book, "Glimpse of an Angel", and my heart breaks all over again, and I mourn for Cecile now, as I go with you, through her last months of her time on earth. I haven't even gotten half way through the book, but I felt I just had to get in touch with you to let you know that there was still another, whose life was touched by hers. Through reading your book, you have brought her back to me, only to take her from me again. But I cherish the memories I have of her, and I thank you for giving me a glimpse of her later and last years. Yes, she truly was an angel.

When I think of her, the first thing I see in my mind's eye, is that little wink and smile. How sweet it is, to know that others were captured by that wink and sweet smile. And I remember the special way she even moved. Like no one else I know. It was with a little sexy wiggle, she being the only one that was not aware of it. It was just Cecile, and I loved her. She was, as you said, sweet and innocent as a child. I even remember how she used to get in the car, sticking one knee up on the seat and then crawling in, like a child. I always laughed and kidded her about that.

We used to laugh about things that now, seem so very silly, when I think back on them, but if we were together now, we'd still laugh about those same things. We had such fun! I remember our days in the High School Marching Band. Boy, I can still see us, in our band uniforms. Her with her drum and I with my coronet. Then there was the homecoming banquet, and I thought we were supposed to wear evening gowns!!! So I showed up very inappropriately dressed and she was wearing a really nice skirt and matching jacket (so very appropriate for the occasion). I was soooo embarrassed, but bless her heart, she just acted like it was the perfect dress. And I enjoyed the party in spite of the humiliation. That, to this day, is the only bad memory from our years together, and she made it okay, too. Then there was the time some of the guys called me Olive Oyl, because I was so skinny! We laughed about that for a long time.

I do hope Mrs. Looney is doing well. Please tell her hello for me. She was always so sweet and kind to me, and how about Tommy? I believe the last time I heard from him, he was in Clemson. I would like to hear from you and to find out where Sherry and Alan are. I know they miss their mom.