Phil's Friends recently learned of the death of Joan Adamski. Joan was not only a patient we supported but also a donor and volunteer. Staff member, Martel Sardina, recalls an experience she had with Joan below. We extend our love, prayers and support to Joan's family as they mourn her loss.
I'll never forget the second time I met Joan.
The first time we met, I had only been volunteering for Phil's Friends for a short time and was holding down the fort so that the staff could take a lunch break. Joan stopped in on a Wednesday and asked if she could have some brochures to take to a doctor's office. I assumed that she was a nurse. She seemed happy and healthy. I gave her the brochures and she went on her way.
The second time Joan stopped by the office, I almost didn't recognize her. Her hair had fallen out. I found out then that she had breast cancer. And that it wasn't her first battle with the disease. This time, Joan was stopping by to drop off a donation of care package items. She had received one of our care packages in one of her previous battles and wanted to share the joy of receiving such a gift with someone else. I was amazed by her ability to want to care for others in the midst of coping with her own problems.
While Joan handed me the items with a smile on her face, there was something in her eyes that told me she wasn't smiling on the inside. I asked her if she wanted to talk about whatever was bothering her. She didn't and that was ok. But a voice inside my head said, "Ask Joan if she'd like to pray with you."
I didn't do exactly what the voice said. I asked Joan if she would like me to pray for her. She said, "Sure," and turned to leave. And that's when that internal voice screamed, "You have to pray with Joan...and you need to do it right now!"
I touched Joan on the arm and said, "Don't leave yet. I have this feeling that I am supposed to pray with you before you go." It was the first time that I had ever asked someone if I could pray with them outside of a church setting. I expected her to look at me funny or tell me that I was crazy. But instead, Joan said, "I could use some prayers right now."
We sat at the conference table. I asked her what she wanted to pray about. She listed some concerns: upcoming treatments, prayers for strength, prayers for her husband and other family members. But the biggest one that day was to remain positive no matter what the world decided to throw her way. Joan needed that source of hope, that light at the end of tunnel, to see her through the darkest of days.
We prayed for all of those things and more. It was an awesome moment. I knew with certainty that God had used me to deliver a message of comfort and hope to Joan.
When Joan left the office that day, she left with a smile that was genuine. Her eyes were brighter. She told me that the prayer had been just what she needed on a day when she'd been feeling down.
When I learned of Joan's death, I was sad. But the memory that keeps coming to mind whenever I hear her name or look at the beautiful picture of her on the memorial card is of the first time we prayed together. It's been almost two years since that day, but when I think about it, the memory is vivid. I can see the smile she left with even now.
Joan and I corresponded through cards while she sick. And I have to say that I got as much (if not more) than what I gave in words of encouragement and prayer. But I don't know if I ever told Joan how much that first prayer meant to me. Joan helped me step out of my comfort zone and taking that step strengthened my faith. I think of all the people that I've prayed for since and know I might not have had the courage to pray with those people if I hadn't ever met Joan.
So thank you, Lord, for the life of Joan Adamski. Thank you for using her to bless me personally, and to bless our ministry at Phil's Friends.