When Sherry found out she was sick, she took time to write her story.  While her whole story could not be posted, her family wanted to share some of it with you...

Before I knew I had cancer, my life was a bustle of activity and in perfect order.  I was 36 years old & had a wonderful husband, two small boys ages two and five, and I spent my days running a very busy warehouse. I was inspired in life to work harder and reach further.  In addition, there are two things that you should know about me...First, I was and have always been a force of optimism to be recon with and secondly, I am a perfectionist who wants everything done just right.  Our lives were moving in perfect harmony as my husband, John and I looked to the future with anticipation as our little ones seemed to grow into toddlers and preschoolers overnight.  My work in a third party logistics was still just as thrilling to me as it was on my first day; full of challenges and promise.  My life looked like a highly choreographed plan for success, always balancing and reaching for the proverbial bar...which I raised periodically for good measure.

Then along came the day that changed everything.  I would soon find out that nothing in my life would be the same again.  I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer that had metastasized to the liver, given an expiration date, and referred to an oncologist. It was unbelievable; I was 36 years old with stage IV colon cancer.  I was told that I had six to nine months to live regardless of treatment plans as my options were limited by the size of the tumor in my liver.

How could this be? I just couldn't wrap my head around this whirl wind of news that I would die in six to nine months.  What would happen to my family? I counted up all the things that I would not be around to see...the upcoming birthdays of my husband, myself, Jackson and John Wesley. I wouldn't see another holiday season? I would never vacation in Hawaii?  We had just discovered the land of magic...Disney magic!  Surreal does not begin to describe the weight of the world when you hear that your time is short and you should "make arrangements".

My first thought continued of John and my precious boys. In a short time, I might leave my best friend and the babies that I was born to love and raise? It was completely unacceptable; I asked God how this could happen. Why?  How could God let this happen to me? I reviewed and scrutinized my actions? I tried to sum my worth? Did I do something to deserve this disease? Did I bring it on myself? I begged God for answers, I demanded an explanation, and often in panic mode I tried to negotiate for the time that it would take to raise my children.  Being a gifted reasoner, I tried to reason the whole thing out.  I searched for answers, and struggled to hear God.

I imagine that I might still be in that same place today if I had not begun to pray in a meaningful way. At this time in my life when I needed to pray and for God to hear me more than any other time, I had no voice. I didn't know what to pray for, what to say...I struggled to find the right words. I began praying for peace. I quit demanding that God explain the situation to me and I turned to him in a way that I never had before. I quit reasoning why it shouldn't be happening, I quit tallying up all my deeds of service, and I prayed that he would bring me through it. I picked up my Bible, hardly ever opened except sporadically on Sunday mornings and I started reading His word.  In a surprising way, his words brought me peace...an amazing amount of peace.

...If I had advice for anyone else it would be to seek God first and to let those who love you...love you.  My family and I look to the future with enthusiasm as we know that whatever happens, everything will be okay. God has a plan designed for me; one that is just right for me.  I am walking with God and with him all things are possible.

Sherry died May 13, 2009 in Murfreesboro Tennessee, at the age of 38. Her battle with cancer lasted,  two and a half years.  She left behind her husband of 13 years and two boys ages 7 and 4. She was an amazing person who will be in our hearts forever.