Grieving the loss of Gwen Brobst

Today God brought Mrs. Brobst home after a long fight with cancer. We had been praying for Him to heel her, either here on earth, or in Heaven.

Right now as I sit here struggling to find the right words, I am crying for their family and what they are going through. Dr. Brobst lost his soul mate and I cannot imagine what that might be like.

Throughout this entire journey, their faith never wavered, and this family proved to be an inspiration to hundreds. Possibly even thousands. Today even, Dr. Brobst's journal entry reiterated that Gwen's passing was not a failure of God. He wrote: Please understand that this is not a failure on God’s part to heal Gwen. This is a healing that has given her the greatest blessing of all. Although we do not fully understand it, it is true, and it was important to her that I make this clear when the time to write this arrived. It is amazing to me how he can stand to strong mere hours after his wife's death.

I have heard by many that Dr. Brobsts words as he told of their family's journey has affected them more than any other man. Gwen wanted her life, and the end of her life to be part of a bigger plan, and I think that they have accomplished this. I fully believe that people have come to know God, or have become closer to Him as they read Dr. Brobst's journal entries every night.

So yes, I am sitting here crying because this world lost a wonderful person. She was like a mother to me. She was my best friends mother and I feel like I grew up with them from 7th grade on. I remember going back to her house after middle school dances and after we graduated 8th grade for a swim party. She was always such a gracious hostess. She and Dr. Brobst were there for me when my parents were out of town and I was thrown out of a golf cart at work. (yes that really happened no matter how pitiful it sounds). She helped me pick out my wedding dress, hosted my Bridal Tea, and even bought me dresses for the "formal nights" on my honeymoon. When I got pregnant she was one of the first people I wanted to tell. She really wanted to give me a baby shower, but that was at the time of her diagnosis. Even still, she wanted to host it!

I will always remember her as this little spunky blonde who was such a bargain shopper, and got so excited over the deals she found. I will remember her coming into Wendy's room at 2am telling us we REALLY need to go to bed and stop singing! I will remember her bran muffins and her wonderful appetizers as she was always the "hostess with the mostest". She was always there for anyone who needed her. In fact, their huge house was most always filled with family or friends in need of a place to stay. She went out of her way for everyone and it is apparent by the caringbridge guestbook how much she meant to everyone. She was always put together and beautiful.

Most of all I remember her as one of the strongest women of faith I have ever had the pleasure to know. And she was the kind of wife mother I aspire to be.

She touched so many people and continues to touch them still in her death. I loved her like a mother and will miss her so much. But I am glad she is no longer in pain, and is now in Heaven.

Visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/gwenbrobst. Be inspired.