For a number of years, Amy lived with Intracranial Hypertension. This in her own words:
I have intracranial hypertension (IH) since 2005 following a stroke. This was due to 12 clots in the right side of my brain caused by clotting disorders. My spinal pressure is out of control and I have a shunt in my brain to help relieve pressure, but it isn't enough. I have had 9 brain surgeries, 4 spinal surgeries, lost count of the spinal taps, numerous other surgeries and infections. I take between 12 and 15 pills daily to manage my blood and prevent seizures. Despite all of this, I am THANKFUL to God for each day. By all accounts, I should be dead. Every day is a gift and despite the pain I still live with each day in my body, I am blessed to see my kids growing and to see my husband's loving eyes. I thank my Creator for another day to share this testimony and I pray that if you do not know Him, you will come to.
Amy was only 25 in 2005, and when she died last week, a mere thirty years old. As you can see she endured no small amount of suffering, and add to the above figure two additional brain surgeries since that was written. For those of us who've lived long past such youth, she seemed like just a babe. And if we're not discriminate in our thinking we might be inclined to declare, "It's not fair! She was too young." And indeed she was young, even as was my son's childhood friend, David, about whom I wrote just last month. So I do now as I did then, and that is to return to Psalm 139 and once again trust the sovereign hand of God in matters of life and death: I will give
I love experiencing the providential ways of God. :) I met Amy online, Facebook to be exact. If you're familiar with how FB works, strangers befriend strangers but many times it's within the framework of some kind of mutual interest. Amy and I ran in the same Christian faith circles, so I readily accepted a friend request from her one day. At the time, I didn't think all that much about it; we intereacted on occasion and that was that. At another point in time, I sent a friend request to one Shawn Campbell because I'd seen his comments on various discussion threads and rather liked what he had to say. It wasn't until later down the road that my pea-brain put 2 & 2 together to figure out that they were, in fact, married to each other. Then later down that same road, I discovered that they were real-life members of my beloved little church in Smyrna, TN, Grace Christian Assembly, whose pastor I'd been listening to online for over a year. Instant connection! And from then on we were all fast friends.
The other day on Facebook, Shawn asked Amy's friends to comment with a one-word description of her, and the first word that came to mind was 'selfless.' The reason takes me back to April of this year. I'm preparing for my annual trek to Smyrna for GCA's Homecoming Weekend, and Amy - without ever having met me - offers to put us up in their home for the weekend. Due to Roger's allergy to felines, we had to decline. So they made the same offer to Wendy, another internet listener and friend, making her own annual trek to Smyrna. It's important to note that Wendy was told she'd be in their guest room, and upon her arrival discovered that the "guest" room was actually the master bedroom! Amy slept on a couch. (So did Shawn, but he's a guy and in good health, so that's ok) Despite her (constant) headache - despite her pain - despite her discomfort - despite any regard for her own self. That made a HUGE impression on me, one that I haven't forgotten. I can truthfully say that I've never given up MY master bedroom for anyone, but I hope to one day be in a position to emulate Amy's graciousness and myself be 'selfless.'
Looking back on that Homecoming Weekend, I'm grateful today to have had what was destined to be the first and last opportunity to spend time with Amy face to face. That is God's providence. I now treasure sweet memories of talking and laughing with her over burgers, brownies and a bonfire. And though she was suffering in pain, you couldn't tell it; she radiated a sweet countenance. The final time I spoke with Amy was just before her most recent brain/shunt surgery, and I had the blessing and privilege of praying with her over the phone. It was a short but sweet conversation, but I think she really appreciated the prayers.
Well, as I'm want to do, it appears I've written a mini novel. But I had to get my thoughts down. I'm continuing to pray for Shawn and the girls. Amy left behind two sweetheart daughters, and I know this is tough on them at their young ages. I pray that the Lord will, in the future, provide for them women of Christlike character to stand in the gap in the absence of their mother. They will undoubtedly need that kind of female influence as they grow up.
You will be sorely missed, Amygirl, and it is with both a sad heart and confident hope that I bid you a temporary farewell, my sweet friend.
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| Forever with the Savior Amy Campbell |
2 Conversing:
Gayla;
Thank you for such a loving tribute and you captured the last 5 years in a nutshell quite well.
It is the eve of the first week without my soulmate and the pain comes and goes in waves. Even as I write, I posted the following shortly before.
"I hear rain drops outside and wondered if it was Amy crying because she knows how hard of a night it is going to be for me and the girls. Hard to believe it was one week ago sometime between now and the time I found her at 2:15am on September 18. I night I will NEVER forget!!! Please don't cry baby, we are doing the best we can :o)"
Someone asked me earlier why does God take such wonderful people at early ages who seem to be doing His work. The only response I could come up with in this case is because Amy was a seed planter. She was a leader and a pioneer more than should could have imagined. She was infectious in her loving demeanor. Even one of her last nurses who took care of her told me at the funeral that she had only met Amy twice and was hooked.
Amy loved God, loved me, and loved our girls more than anything else in this life. Yet, God graciously gave her tasks that were bold and challenging, which she gladly and obediently accepted.
I tell you this, Amy was ALWAYS worried about everyone else first, then herself. Amy was truly a diamond in the rough, and I am both proud and glad that she took the chance to tell me that she loved me in the beginning, and I never knew until 2 1/2 years later. She was my soulmate who along with others are now rejoicing, casting crowns, and singing in the best choir ever!!!
I thank you dove, for believing in me, honoring our vows to the very end, and changing my life forever more. You truly loved me as God has commanded you to do. This is not good-bye, but see you soon :o)
Thank you, Shawn. Love you, my brother.
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