While she was in the hospital, a Madrigal friend, Kim, with whom Tracie had had some disagreements, asked if she could sit up one night with Tracie (Tracie’s mom had always been with her while she was in the hospital, both this time as well as all the other visits to the hospital, reading the Word, praying, and giving words of cheer!). That night the two girls reached an understanding about their problem. Later, the girls were awakened by a ray of light, and both reported seeing Jesus, who said, “Fear not, for I am with you !!”
We checked Tracie out of the hospital on Thursday. On Saturday, her temperature went very high. I called her local doctor who came by later in the day. The temperature had gone down some, so he said to wait till Monday and, if no change, he would admit her. However, later that night the temperature went up again, and I called for an ambulance.
In the ambulance, neither blood pressure nor pulse could be found, even though Tracie was talking to the attendants! She was taken to the emergency room and then on to the intensive care unit. Her stomach had ulcerated and surgery was performed to close it up. On Monday, Tracie’s grandparents arrived from Virginia and went in to see her. Later that night, around 10:30, her heart stopped and she died.
Many thoughts pass through the minds of parents, relatives and friends at a time like this. As a Christian, you question GOD! But, God’s grace is sufficient and His peace is strong enough to see you through these rough times. True, there are a few questions I want to ask Him when I meet Him face to face, but it remains that He is in control of all situations. I know that He and Tracie worked out her future plans, which happened to be contrary to the wishes of all who knew her.
Probably the most important thing of all, that which we are admonished to share comfort in, is that we shall see her again, when Jesus comes back in all His Glory. She will be among the cloud of witnesses that will accompany Him! (1 Thess. 4:13-17)
At her Memorial Service in Florida, and by direction of the Lord Himself, we had a time of Praise and Rejoicing! There was congregational singing and worship, words of testimony from some of her close friends, and special music, including a song by a Christian rock group and the special song, “Friends”, sung by Tracie’s good friend, Kim. The message by Pastor Dan Pritchett was one on salvation and eternal life in Christ. And, at the end of the service, an altar call was given to the 400 people gathered, and ten people were saved that night!
Graveside services were performed in Virginia, since most of her “family” were from the area. But, we all know that she is not in that grave; she is seated with Christ in heavenly places!
Since that time, many people, young and old, have been affected either by the services or by the kind of life Tracie lived. She was vibrant, vivacious, ultra-caring for others, and just a joy to be around!
Which brings me around to the purpose of this writing…in 1966, when the natural mother, whomever she was, discovered that she was pregnant out of wedlock, she could have decided to abort the child. And, that would have been the end of that.
But, she didn’t! And, that mother, in allowing the State to offer her for adoption, knowingly or unknowingly let God perform His work of taking a situation which at first seemed bad and turning it around for good! She allowed us the pleasure and joy of raising her child. But, more importantly, God used that same child to steer Teresa and me into an enriched walk with the Lord, and bring forth salvation and eternal life to at least ten people, and perhaps more that we don’t yet know about.
God’s Word says that He knew us in our mother’s womb, and I feel sure that her life was planned to be lived just the way she lived it. And, I thank God for that woman who let this little girl LIVE!
Tracie’s adoptive father.
Start/Stop/Pause Music
P.S. Tracie’s mom, Teresa, passed away on November 11, 2006, after a seven month bout with cancer. She is buried beside Tracie in Powell Valley Memorials Gardens in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia.
Music: “El Shaddai” – Amy Grant “Friends” – Michael W. Smith
Danny,
I just read the story of Tracie. I knew that you and Teresa had lost a daughter, but I did not know any of the details. I wish I could have known Tracie. I know she was beautiful inside and out. It seems that some of the ones we love are just “loaned” to us for a short while then they are gone. The heartache is unbearable, but GOD who is faithful to sustain us through it is the only reason we can make it through with our mind intact. I too have an adopted son and a natural daughter. And I have often been so thankful for the natural mother of my son for the opportunity to have raised him. He and my daughter looked like twins when they were children. GOD does all things well even though it is impossible for us to understand a lot of them.