My dear friend Hailey Frantzen, whom I met during my time at the Master’s College, passed away almost a week ago. It’s taken me some time to find the words to express how I feel about the whole situation, which is why I decided to sit down tonight to ponder and to finally crank something out.
I found out the news of her passing in the last possible way that I wanted to learn it (via my Facebook news feed on my Blackberry). I was up in the San Francisco Bay when it streamed to my feed, walking along Fisherman’s Warf to get on the electric cable car back to my hotel. From the time that the news came to me to even now, I am speechless at the reality that she is no longer with us on this earth.
At the same time, there’s an abundant peace flooding my soul that she is in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is also the assurance that the Lord has been sovereign during this time. She is no longer suffering from her sickness. No more back and forth trips to the hospital that took a toll on her. No more pain and exhaustion that her sickness unleashed on her. Hailey is now refreshed, she’s reinvigorated, completed with a perfect body in Heaven. Before myself, she gets to see the Lord Jesus Christ face to face.
What’s more is that her sweet memory lives fresh within me, for, she was the loyal friend that everyone should have had. From my time at the Master’s College, to the time that I went to Washington DC (in both 2009 and 2010), she filled my life with immense encouragement and joy. Hailey was the epitome of the loyal friend: She offered support when I needed it. Pushed me onward when I was aiming for a goal. And called me out when my stupid immaturity kicked in at a particular point in my life. I know for a fact that many besides myself were blessed by her short time here on earth.
The last time I was supposed to see Hailey was at my graduation ceremony a little more than a week before she passed. By the Lord’s sovereignty, I don’t understand why He allowed for us to miss each other in the midst of all the chaos on the football field. But the last sweet memory that she left for me was in the form of a Facebook post that perfectly reflected who she was to me.
I look forward to seeing her again with the Lord Jesus Christ along with other believers. Until then, I will be faithful until the end with the people in my life in the here and now.
This is a beautiful tribute, Guz. I know if Hailey could read it, she would be honored. I never had the opportunity to know her personally while at Master’s, but I know she touched the hearts and lives of many, many people. It is tragic that her life was cut short at such a young age, but what a blessing to know she is with the Lord and will be rejoicing in Him for all eternity!
Thanks, Hannah. It is comforting to know that she’s alive in the Lord’s presence.