Kim Reed, although you are no longer with us physically, I wanted to reflect on our 35 years of marriage. When I first met you in Jacksonville, North Carolina, I knew immediately that you were the woman I would grow old with. We encountered many trials and tribulations throughout our marriage, and through each trial, we clung closely to each other. With the stillbirth of our son Michael Thomas, physical and learning challenges with Marcus Daniel, it was you who initiated actions that helped Marcus to walk.
You watched me deploy on two dependent restricted tours while keeping the home fire burning. You were there for promotions, deployments, duty, and those late-night calls when Marines got into trouble, followed by retirement from active military service (Marine Corps). Kim Reed, you made an excellent sacrifice. You are the active ingredient that kept us together.
Yet our biggest challenge was when the doctor called, and oncology confirmed your stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis. We both knew this would be the fight of all fights. I observed you go through seven rounds of chemotherapy in total, followed by surgery. You did not have to face ovarian cancer alone; we linked up, and we fought it together, just like we had done in the past. There were a few down days and many days of you recovering your strength.
The chemotherapy was not as successful as oncology would have preferred. The oncology doctor informed you that this was one fight you would not win, yet we forged on, clinging to hope, and covered in prayer. The bladder spasms created pain, which was a result of the aggressive strain of this form of cancer. Pneumonia arrived on the scene, and everything changed. Watching you on the ventilator was not a good day for me, but I did not abandon you. God and I had many late-night prayer sessions as I laid my heart and soul bare before Him. Many others would join me in praying for you. From Venezuela, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, including parts of the United States. When you came off the ventilator, you were different spiritually. Your countenance was lifted, and you shared how you were pleading with God; guess what? So was I and others.
Two days before your death, my sacrifice etched in covenantal marriage, I remained by your side. We worshiped, listened to Scripture on the Bible app, and I prayed over and anointed you while you slept. I had the highest privilege of serving you as a Priest, Prophet, and King. You have enriched my life while showing me how to die in dignity. Thanks for hanging out with a brother. I look forward to seeing you on the other side. Go, take your place at the table beside Jesus. He needs you now. Remember, I will fulfill my promises.
Until we meet again…….Joe Reed
