When

Dreams Die

Carolyn Davis

This story is about your great-grandma Davis. Her life was pretty excellent until a horrible disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS) killed her dreams. Her response is an example of how extraordinary trust trust in God can sustain joy even when dreams die.

High School

She was an only child. Her dad farmed cotton. She managed to graduate as valedictorian of her high school class.

University

She continued to do well in nursing school and again graduated at the top of her class. Here she is ready to offer her valedictorian speech.

Early Married Life

She also had a husband who completely adored her and two awesome kids. Peepaw is the little boy on the left.

Your great-grandma Davis grew up in the small town of Tahoka, Texas. She was an outstanding student and was very outgoing. She was incredibly smart. My sister and I would go through the dictionary to see if we could find words she either didn't know or couldn't spell. I don't think we ever stumped her.

She had a strong sense of humor. She had a talent for singing and would frequently sing in church, for weddings, and other special occasions.

She married the one man who would not give up or go away. He pursued her relentlessly. She finally broke down and agreed to marry him. After some time in Abilene and Temple, Texas they moved to San Antonio. She practiced nursing in the labor and delivery area and she was very active in the music department at church. A songwriter even paid to have her record his songs in a recording studio.

Wedding day

They were married in Sweet Street Baptist Church in Tahoka, Texas.

In San Antonio

They moved to the East side from a Broadway apartment.

She and a friend

Here she is with one of her nursing friends at the Lake Meadow house.

In her late 20's and early 30's, she began to have physical symptoms of MS. She eventually had to quit working. She lost the ability to swallow effectively and was unable to move her hands and feet in a coordinated way. For a bit, they searched and tried all sorts of remedies, but it was a little understood disease and not many treatments existed back then.

She also lost her ability to sing. She would frequently get choked on food and we would have to call for an ambulance and go to the hospital. She eventually had a permanent breathing tube in her throat which prevented the choking.

In a Wheelchair

But always ready to travel. This looks like Las Vegas.

In the chair

Because she was immobile, she was forced to spend hours in a chair. Here she is holding your aunt Kyla.

Her favorite chair

Aunt Kyla is a little older in this pic.

She lost her ability to speak well and couldn't sing. She could no longer work. Everything she worked so hard for was gone. No doubt many of her plans and dreams were shattered by disease. But her joy still persisted. She was quick to smile and never made complaints. How? Why?

Job 13:15 KJV

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him"

I lost count of the many times she would quote this verse... "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." No matter how bad things got. She had an unwavering confidence that she belonged to God and His love would direct her in the path that He had chosen.

She wasn't blind to her crippling situation, she saw clearly how God would work things out in the end.

She knew two important things. Everything was 1. Created BY God and 2. Created FOR God. Even her life wasn't about her. Her complete trust during a horrible illness gives me courage and faith when things don't go my way. I wish you could have known her and been infected by her joy and her faith in a trustworthy God.

Here's a question for you. Was her life a waste because she couldn't do more? I don't think so. Her example of joy in tragic circumstances changed my life... and the lives of many others. What a lesson!

Singing and smiling are easy when things go according to plan. Who can't do that? We want smiles that persist in troubling times. We need a joy that isn't shaken by trouble. Believers never lose the occasion for joy. Living or dying. Surfing or suffering. It's not about this life. It's all about the life to come. Allow the example of her life impact the way you move through the worst life has to offer.

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