As most of you might know (or not), Hope is Everything started thanks to Sarah Elizabeth: a beautiful girl who suffered from Cystic Fibrosis and left our earthly world in 1997. Debra McCarty and Kenneth McCarty, the founders of Hope is Everything and parents of Sarah decided to create this space in honor to her and the values that held the family together when navigating the challenges of the illness, and lastly, the loss.
The Journey
Since the beginning, it was noticeable that the coming of Sarah to our world was intentional and magical, in beautiful and different ways. Debbie, her mom, knew long before she started having kids that she was going to have a disabled child. It was one of those specific and non-explainable messages that is delivered to a person, some of those things that are hard to understand but, indeed, exist.
Sarah was born with lots of complications, and months after, the family received the news that, unfortunately, she was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. A lot of things happened in between them knowing what was occuring with Sarah—worries, health difficulties, wrong treatments. As they were being informed, one doctor emphasized: “Cystic fibrosis, or CF, as it is commonly called, is the number one genetic killer of children and young adults in America today. Among diseases, CF causes more childhood deaths than polio, diabetes, or rheumatic fever combined.” “CF is always terminal.”
Life after that was full of emotions, fights, challenges, doctors, tests, miracles, and especially, prayers. Even though doctors had told them Sarah’s life expectancy was 2 years, she lived 11 more beautiful years—years where lessons about faith and divine knowledge were part of a greater plan, not only for her but also for the family. She was full of talent and emotion, and she created environments where love prevailed fear.
Sarah was a writer. She used to narrate her life through her journals. This is an excerpt of some of the last passages she wrote:
“This is the end of my story but my life will continue forever. Life is hard, but I need to enjoy it. God has given us this gift of life. Even though it’s hard, enjoy it while you can. Memories are one of the only things you can take to Heaven. And I’ve made some good ones. Bye.” — Sarah Elizabeth.
A Story of Loss That Turned Into Legacy
In this brief summary of a very luminous story, God is present in so many ways. In the alignments of every little detail that allowed Sarah to have the opportunity to experience life and express herself so clearly, honestly, rawly, and magically. In the way she cared and loved each of the people she encountered. In her return to life. In the way she dreamed about her future. In the way she would get excited and would celebrate those she loved. And, in the way she showed a pure form of love and resistance without fearing death.
“Life is precious and to be enjoyed while we have opportunity. It is for us to experience, learn, and grow. But, returning home is okay.” wrote Debbie. Death, in the eyes of Sarah, was an experience worth living for.
Living in fear can take away so much gratitude and presence, and Sarah helped see the opportunities that come along when worry and unease are not the main characters, even when death is on the other side. This is to say that the purpose of this community is to give people some light in the darkness, no matter how dark it seems to be.
Resources
To find more information about Cystic Fibrosis, visit The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
To find online support groups for challenging times, visit GriefShare.
To become a Hope Angel whether you want to help or find help, click here.