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Carol Hogg
submitted by Heather McNee

At a recent church service, our Pastor spoke of "The Family's Place at Christmas". This was a profound message for me, as this was my first Christmas without one of my most treasured family members - my mom. Carol Hogg went to be with her Lord on June 19th, 2001, just one month after her 60th birthday. She was a loving and devoted wife to my dad, Gil, for 37 years; a cherished mother to my sister, Melanie, and me; beloved "Nana" to her 2-year-old grandson, Kyle, and granddaughter who was "on the way". She is loved and missed by so many, especially her surrogate children, Joel, Alina, and Ben, her family and countless friends.

Carol began her battle with inflammatory breast cancer just before Easter in 1999. Over the course of four prayerful months, she struggled through chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and finally, radiation. That July we received "miraculous news". The surgeon had not found any living cancer cells during the mastectomy! Our family rejoiced in thanksgiving to God for allowing our mom to live "cancer-free" for several months. That August Carol became a "Nana" for the first time to my son, Kyle. He was her delight, a true gift "from above". She spent hours dreaming about Kyle's future and enjoying his blossoming life to the fullest.
A few weeks prior to Easter of 2001 (two years after the initial diagnosis), Carol began experiencing shortness of breath and what she described as "heart palpitations". Within a couple of weeks, she was re-diagnosed with cancer that had metastasized in her lungs. After a slew of tests, it was determined that the cancer had also spread to her hip and back, and potentially other locations. Despite her severe pain, difficulty breathing and inability to care for herself, she remained at peace. A quiet, gentle peace. Although sad to leave her loved ones, Carol knew she would be united with her "Heavenly Father" and those that had gone before her. This Christmas she is celebrating the birth of our Saviour as well as the recent birth of her sweet, beautiful granddaughter, Grace, from "on high".

My mom taught me many valuable lessons that I will pass on to my own children, and has instilled in me a true sense of perseverance. When life throws obstacles in our path, we should not overlook them, but rather work through them. In doing so we become stronger. Each road we take will offer some difficulty, but, thankfully..."When you pass through the waters I will be with you...And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you!" declares the Lord (Isaiah 43:2). This is the legacy my mom has left me. The unfailing promise our Lord has given.

Perhaps the most important lesson she has taught me is to strive to fulfill God's commandment - to be a good steward of what He has given us, so that in the end I will earn my reward from our Lord. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant...Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" (Matthew 25:21).