Our Lord, in His mercy, took Peni Ozmon home Sunday morning, November 13, 2005.

It seems that Peni has battled this cancer for at least ten years. When the cancer raged, Peni only became more determined to fight. When the cancer was in remission, Peni continued to pursue it with a vengeance. Nothing—consultations, chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, tests, procedures, or experiments—nothing would deter Peni from winning.

Today, Peni won “…surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, having laid aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnared her, she ran with ‘endurance’ the race that was set before her, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, ‘endured’ the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

In her last week, Peni was in a coma, the cancer had spread, and when the pain became too severe, morphine was administered. God was gracious in giving Peni one morning where she was alert. At that time Peni said she was tired of fighting and expressed her desire to go be with Jesus. He gave her opportunity to speak via telephone with many in her family before once again slipping into a coma.

The funeral will be Thursday, November 17 in Beattyville, Kentucky. Peni chose to be buried at Youth Haven Bible Camp in Kentucky Mountain Mission’s cemetery, “Field of Butterflies.”

Earlier this year, the founder of “Character Counts,” Michael Josephson, had a long time associate, named Lauren, die from cancer. He penned his thoughts on her death and shared this with his listeners. I think you will notice the similarities between Lauren and Peni, as well as Mr. Josephson and us.

I Can Only Cry

The sun is setting on my friend Lauren.

Though she fought and won battle after battle
The cancer kept coming.

And it has taken an awful toll.

It ravaged her once strong body,
Leaving her thin and pale,
And now her spirit’s light is flickering.

Some people live timidly, speaking tenderly and walking through life on tiptoes.
But she lived boldly and big, stomping heavily and shaking trees.

Many were more delicate and diplomatic, anxious to win the approval of others.
But she spoke plainly and made others seek her approval.

Some write their story in fading ink,
But she etched hers in hearts and minds like a stone mason.

Some pollute the air with complaints and woe,
But she cleared the air with optimism and good cheer.

She deserves a longer life but she is being taken away from husband, family and friends.

And there’s nothing any of us can do about it.
I can sob in sorrow or scream in outrage.
The cancer doesn’t care.

I can protest it’s not right or fair.
I can proclaim it makes no sense.
I can plead that I’m not ready.
The cancer does not care.

I can despair but I can’t delay her departure.
I am shaken by the ugly side of mortality,
Humbled and intimidated by the unyielding march of death.

And I am bone-deep sad.
It’s a terrible thing to lose someone you love.
The pain will not pass quickly.

Eventually, I will be grateful that I had her in my life.
I will look at pictures and relive conversations and I will smile.

But now I can only cry.

Certainly, we cry, too, but not without hope.

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