Death, peace, and my sister

Barbara Janet Cooper Schonert

I just returned from Texas after rushing down one week ago when my sister Barbara called me from the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. As she lie there in bed waiting for answers, she told me that she was at the hospital due to a sudden onset of very serious health issues.

Barbara had previously beat lung cancer and had been in remission. We had been counting our blessings because Barbara was doing so well. Then, suddenly, last week Barbara faced this new set of devastating complications. After a few days and much testing, Barbara was told that she now had acute Leukemia.

I quickly tied up lose ends at home and jumped on a plane to go to Texas to be with my sister. Before leaving I begged many prayers from so many prayer warriors I know, including Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Burke, Fr. Benedict Groechel, folks at EWTN, the Sisters at EWTN, and many others too, including the Missionaries of Charity Sisters (Mother Teresa's Order).

A Missionary of Charity Sister told me over the phone that she and the other Sisters would be praying for Barbara and us all. We both prayed that the blessed relic of Mother Teresa that Sister said she would send me to bring to my sister would arrive on time. It did.

She also blessed me (over the phone and in a letter) with beautiful poignant words from Mother Teresa to take to my heart and which can speak to all of our hearts.

Sisters!
This photo was taken very soon after I arrived last Sunday evening

This is what the MC Sister shared with me: "Death is nothing except going back to God, where He is and where we belong...Death is the most decisive moment in human life. It is like our Coronation: to die in peace with God."~Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

My sister was so happy to receive the relic of Mother Teresa and told her visitors about it. I also gave her a blessed Miraculous medal that I had touched to the medal Blessed Mother Teresa gave me that I always wear. I had previously placed the medal I gave Barbara on Blessed Pope John Paul II's tomb and on Mother Teresa's bed (where she stayed at the convent when visiting her Sisters in Rome). Barbara had me put the blessed Miraculous medal on the chain around her neck. 

Barbara was a dear sister and also my best friend. She was a mother, a daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and caregiver to many. Speaking of being a caregiver, as I sat by her bedside attempting to take care of her, Barbara reminded me (more than once!) to make sure I had something to eat. 

She loved life and her family. She enjoyed inspiring others with her writings. Barbara was a fighter. Her life was not an easy one--she endured much hardship, yet she moved forward in faith.

A beautiful soul!

All throughout her fight with lung cancer she possessed an incredible positive and prayerful outlook. She showed up for her chemo and radiation appointments with a contagious smile and uplifting words. She amazed her doctors. Then, faced with her new devastating illness, she continued on each day with a hopeful heart, questioning doctors, but resigned to God's holy will. 

Barbara and her daughters

Last week was filled with many blessings amid the tears and struggles. I'm very happy I was able to spend some time with Barbara and chat with her in between her naps.

Barbara passed on to her Eternal reward on Friday surrounded by loved ones.

Barbara was and is an inspiration.


I know in my heart that my sister, my best friend, Barbara is at peace. As sorrowful and painful as it was to witness my dear loved one suffer intensely and then leave us all much too quickly, my heart is at peace and I pray for those whose hearts are not at peace. Of course, I am extremely saddened by her passing, but I am thankful for God's peace. Times like this are never easy, but God is always near, granting us graces for the asking.

I love you, Barbara. I always will!

Barbara loved the following quote and posted it on her blog (http://www.wordsofhopeforcaregivers.com/) some time ago and also on the back cover of one of her books:

                                                                       
                                                                      Be at Peace

"Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; Rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; And when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."~Saint Francis De Sales

I think God must be carrying me in His arms right now. He was carrying me all last week even as I couldn't "stand it."

A Cooper Reunion many years ago--all 8 "kids" are here. It was on the Fourth of July
(hence the American flag shirts). Barbara is in front on left. My brother Gary
on the far right has also gone to his Eternal reward.

Please live each day as it was your last and prepare your hearts and souls for Eternal life. I welcome prayers for Barbara's soul and for her whole family and her friends. 

Thank you, everyone for your prayers. May God bless you all in great abundance.

Jesus at the Post Office!

Here is a segment from a past Christmas radio segment in which I chat with Teresa Tomeo about meeting "Jesus" in the Post Office. Just click here to listen to it as well as some other Christmas reflections we talk about.

The recipe for the Overnight Christmas Bread coming up!

A "Cup of Sympathy"

I've been down with the flu here and recently put a message on Face Book about gathering together to have a cup of "cyber" tea while praying for one another. Face Book friends responded and loved the idea. I then made another suggestion and I'd like to put it out here for all of you too.

I said, "Okay, here's the thought I woke up to this morning. Everyone who visited here (that was on Face Book) for "Cyber" tea is being asked by me to send some love, tea, and sympathy to someone, anyone. This will NOT be cyber tea. I'd ask that you take an actual tea bag, any kind and put it in a sweet note that you will send in the mail to someone who can use a little cheering up or someone you admire or someone who you get the sense could use a warm note and a chance to sit down, put his or her feet up and enjoy a cup of tea. Perhaps you'll write that in your note - suggest that he or she take out a few moments to wrap their hands around a hot cup of tea and savor the moments with their feet up and possibly even ponder and pray.

Of course, you don't want to force your Christianity on the person with directions to pray while drinking the cup of tea. But you know who you can say that to and who you maybe should not (but you will pray for that person!) Imagine their delight when they open up their mail and find a sweet note and even the thought of sitting down to that cup of tea. Mother Teresa always said that it's the simple things, a smile, a kind word, etc. These kinds of things work wonders, by God's grace.

And even better is if you have the opportunity to visit that person and have tea together! Let me know what you think and ask others to join in here. All are invited. And watch for my next suggestion. :) Oh, and try to send out your loving cup of tea within one week from today to make sure it happens. :)

God bless you all!♥"

So, if you feel inspired to send a cup of sympathy to someone, please do!