Angels for Ann

Many people live life avoiding challenges, pitfalls and tragedy and never fully get to appreciate the moments which define how much you enjoy LIVING. My sister spends her life LIVING even in the midst of her challenges because the joy of each moment is her pleasure in the pain and something not to be taken for granted. My sister Andrea, or "Ann" as she is called, has been fighting health battles since she was a child. Being diagnosed with juvenile diabetes was no easy pill to swallow but she took it all in stride and pushed forward through it all. Trips to the hospital, diet restrictions, daily injections, pill intakes, and, later in life, renal failure, could all make anyone feel depressed and hopeless but not Ann; she always had something to prove and proving that she can still LIVE her life on her terms is just a small challenge for her. Even at times when her body felt like giving up, her strong-will, and determined mind would never allow for defeat, proving countless times that she was in control (yeah, imagine life growing up as her younger sister...she was the true definition of a "boss"). Now here she is again in another battle of wills with her body at war. Last week (a month shy of her 40th birthday) her beautiful and tired heart stopped and wanted to give up on her but she decided to put up the biggest fight of her life. She has tried her hardest to stay in control of this current situation, but as we all know that at some point, when things are too much, we need to let go and give the control to someone else. The doctors, the nurses, and our Mighty Lord, have been working non-stop to help heal my sweet sister but this time she may be realizing that her battle is already won and she is now ready to rest in her chosen victory.  Victory as she either fights hard to continue this LIFE or victory when and if she decides that her LIVING has taken on new meaning and she finds eternal solice. As my sister lies in the hospital in a state of rest, and as our family decides the next action during this critical phase, we are asking for your thoughts, prayers, support, and help. Due to her ill health and inability to work over the past few years, she has been unable to cover all of her medical expenses.  Our family is reaching out to gather resources to be able to demonstrate our love and support and to celebrate Ann's victory over life in a way she deserves. Please consider donating whatever you can and please know that you all are our "Angels for Ann".