always and always, fritz
My friend Sara was affectionately known as Gitzen Girl — a nickname coined by her dad (who I am so thankful to have spent some time with before he passed last year).
Everyone knew her as Gitz.
But to me, she was Fritz.
She was Fritz. And I was Frass. (Short for Sassafrass, of course…)
And this Frass? Misses her Fritz like crazy…
Ohmyheart…
When I was asked to speak at Sara’s memorial service, it felt like an incredible gift had been placed in my hands. One I held gently and tenderly. An honor I didn’t take lightly.
I didn’t want to speak about our history or friendship, although I could’ve talked for hours on that alone. I wanted to somehow try to capture and express Sara’s amazing heart and the incredible way she lived her life. I wanted to explain what Choose Joy meant to her, as so many have picked it up as their own life mantra. I wanted to paint a picture of who Sara really is…
I hope my feeble attempt to find adequate words achieved that even in the slightest possible way…
Here are the words I shared at her service…
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There are so many things I could say about my sweet Sara. So many that I don’t even know where to start. Or harder still, I wouldn’t even know where to stop. She has been one of the greatest gifts in my life, and her friendship has truly changed me. Forever.
And I know many—literally around the world—can say the exact same thing about her.
It is absolutely mind-blowing to think of how far-reaching Sara’s impact has been. From the tiny confines of her condo in Iowa, her life and love wrapped around the globe.
Because of her illnesses, her way of life had to change. But her way of living didn’t.
Sara continued to live well. To love deeply. To trust God unswervingly. She continued to choose joy. To love Jesus passionately. And to run her race well… All the way to the end.
Through her words, Sara shared her faith and her heart so genuinely and authentically. Sara was real. Velveteen Rabbit kind of real. And in her realness, she made it easy for us to be real in return. Real with ourselves… With others… With God.
And in that place of threadbare honesty, she challenged us to choose joy.
Choose joy.
Those two words ran deep for Sara. They weren’t just a pick-me-up statement… Those words truly shaped her life.
Sara taught me that choosing joy doesn’t mean living in denial of reality. It doesn’t mean pretending everything is okay when it’s not. It doesn’t mean not allowing ourselves to grieve or acknowledge our own heartaches in life.
It means being honest and authentic with where we are… And from that place, still lifting our eyes Homeward.
Choosing joy is acknowledging that while I don’t understand what’s going on, God does. Choosing joy is remembering that while life seems to be spiraling out of control, it is never out of God’s control. Choosing joy is remaining mindful that while my circumstances may feel anything but ideal, God still has my good and His glory in mind.
Because like Sara said, “It’s not about me. It’s about what He can do with my life.” That statement holds the very essence of her lifestyle of choosing joy…
Sara lived her life by six simple goals she set for herself. She had these scribbled on her wall in that amazingly beautiful handwriting of hers. But more importantly, she had them scribbled deeply on her heart. She set out to do six things with her life:
- To not be ashamed to stand before God.
- To fulfill God’s plan by living the best life I can with what I am given.
- To be aware and present in every moment.
- To love what I have and not yearn for what I lack.
- To spread the joy, not the fear.
- To be intentional in all things.
I read that list, and I can’t help but smile. Even through the tears. Sara so faithfully lived out each one of those things. And we would do well to make these goals our own.
Sara lived well.
She loved well.
She finished well.
And she taught us to do the same.
I love you always and always, Fritz…
Memorial Service for Sara
Tonight is the memorial service for our beloved Sara at St. Stephens—the church in Cedar Falls, IA where she served for so many years.
We would love to have you join us as we mourn her passing and celebrate her life—together as her community and family, each in our own corner of the world.
Just as Sara would have loved it.
The service is at 6:30 PM Central Time. Please join us if you’re able. (And help spread the word online…)
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Update: The memorial service was recorded… Watch here.
Choose Joy Ink Link
This is a space where you can share your Tribute to Sara Tattoo for all to see…
If you decided to get a Choose Joy tattoo, we would love to see it! Please link up to the tweet, blog, pic, or video you post on the Interwebz about it, so we can all celebrate Sara’s life and legacy together.
[Be sure to link to the specific post and not your blog homepage.]
If you have chosen to use any of the Choose Joy designs, please email Trevor and let him know. He worked into the wee-hours of the night doing this for Sara. Such a gift. I think it would mean a lot for him to hear and see what became of it all…
I’m grateful for my reminder. God knows I need it…
a living, breathing canvas
I don’t even know how to find words right now. I honestly don’t. I’ve left this blog abandoned because I simply don’t know how to say everything that needs to be said.
My beautiful friend Sara — known so affectionately online as Gitzen Girl — is dying. There is no easier way to say that. I wish there was…
Sara has been sick — very sick – for a very long time. And from the confines of her tiny condo in Iowa, where she’s lived completely homebound for 3 years, she has changed my life.
I can’t even begin to find words to explain THAT right now… so that will need to wait. But I’ve had the gift — the sheer treasure — of visiting with her twice. Of spending several weeks as her roommate. And that is a gift I will cherish always and always.
And now my beautiful Sara is in the final leg of her race. The finish line is in sight, and she is about to cross it. And even in dying — just as she did her whole life — she shows me Christ. She infuses me with courage and strength. And she teaches me how to love well and choose joy.
Choose joy.
It’s been her life mantra. It has defined who she is and how she lives. Despite her pain. Despite the challenges. Despite her limitations. Choose joy. She has shown me what that truly means.
She has lived well and chosen joy right up to the end…
And the mark she has left on my life? I want it visible to the world.
I am going to get “choose joy” as a tattoo on my left forearm. In Sara’s handwriting.
I want it as a visible, permanent reminder of who Sara is and how she lived. And how I want to live out the rest of my days.
Sara is known literally around the world for her beautiful painted canvases. They are works of art that reflect her steadfast faith and point our eyes Homeward.
And now her words, her art, will be painted on the canvas of ME. A living, breathing Gitzen Girl canvas…
Oh my heart…
I know many of you have been impacted by Sara, either in years of knowing her or even in just recently learning of her amazing story. Maybe you want to get inked as well.
Tam and I had my amazing friend Trevor at Cross & Crown put together some designs using Sara’s own handwriting. (So. Frickin. Amazing.) He also designed some more block-font options that aren’t as scripty… Maybe you’d like one of these as a permanent reminder to Choose Joy… Or maybe these will spark an idea in your mind of a unique design you want to run with.
I’d love to hear if you’re gonna get a Choose Joy tattoo. And when you do, take pictures and blog/tweet about it so we can all celebrate Sara’s life and legacy together.
We are also working on some other things we can do as a tribute to our Sara (like a custom line of jewelry), and I’ll share details as soon as they come together.
What an amazing community of people who Sara loved so well!
Today… as you go about your day… please pray for Sara. Pray for her family and all those who love her so dearly. And remember to…
Choose joy.
Choose Joy – Gitz’s Handwriting
choose joy
with thanks
I wouldn’t object to the revolving door of my life getting stuck here in Iowa.
This New Yorker never thought she’d say something like that in her lifetime, but… it’s true. I don’t want to leave. Because I am so not ready to say goodbye to Sara.
Despite the circumstances that brought me here, it has been such a joy to be with her this past week. In the heaviest of moments as much as the punch-drunk late night madness, it was a gift to be with my dear friend.
I know this much is true: I benefited far more than she did. I’m leaving fuller… richer. I’m leaving as a better me than when I came. Good friends have that effect on us, don’t they?
I want to be that kind of friend.
I want to love hard. Forgive quickly. Choose joy. I want to risk big. Grow daily. Drip grace. I want to savor sunshine. Live grateful. Model Christ.
As I leave, I am determined to pay more attention to the fine details of my life… of my days. I will look closely for the blessings that lie in each moment.
And I will thank Him a whole lot more.
I’d love to hear what you are thankful for,
right this very moment.
loving sara loudly
When I spent a week with my friend Sara in April, I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime gift. But now I know it’s at least a twice-in-a-lifetime treasure, because I’m back in Iowa with her.
And while I wish it were under very different circumstances, I am so glad I’m here with her again.
Some of you already know Sara (aka Gitz). Those of you who don’t… should take some time to get to know her. She is an amazing woman… an incredible friend… and the most Christ-like person I know.
Honestly.
Sara just reminds me of Jesus.
She is sacrificially loving. She gives without limit. Even when she is broken and hurting, she thinks only of others. Her heart overflows with the goodness of God’s own heart.
I am so thankful for every moment I get with her.
Sara’s father passed away very suddenly this past weekend. Because her chronic illness has left her homebound, she is unable to go to the funeral or be with her entire family.
So family came to her.
When I arrived yesterday, I wrapped my arms around Sara and we just cried together. I told her it wasn’t just a hug from me, but from her entire online family. I’m here loving her the best I can on behalf of all of her friends who can’t be here. …Her family around the world who is hurting with her and loving her deeply.
Sara is so grateful for your love and prayers. She feels them! She keeps saying how rich her life is in friendship. That she is loved so well and cared for by so many, and it makes the world of difference to her.
Watching the outpouring of love on Sara right now is so beautiful. Thank you. Really.
Many of you have asked about tangible ways to help. Due to her severe allergies, it’s important that you don’t send flowers, food, or anything perfumed. I do know of some things you could send, though, so please let me know if you’d like to do anything. Even just taking the time to write her a note would mean a lot.
I’m thankful we all have this opportunity to care for Sara in even a fraction of the way she’s cared for us. To be there for her like she’s been there for so many. To love her loudly, like she’s shouted her love for her friends with every fiber of her being.
And I’m thankful y’all are here in Iowa with me this week. Because you are. And it means so much to Sara.
And to me.
one of Sara’s beautiful creations
If you haven’t yet, please go meet Sara.
four-minute friday: iowa
Go.
It still feels a little unreal to me that I’ve spent this week with my friend Sara.
For lots of reasons.
Like the fact that I normally live on another continent. And Sara lives in Iowa of all places. Iowa.
And like how I had to be perfectly healthy so I don’t pass something on to her. And that is no small miracle for me.
But all the stars aligned—by the grace of God!—and here I am.
Every now and again I still squeal out an, “I can’t believe I’m in your house!” Because it really does seem too good to be true.
And it’s coming to an end all too quickly.
I’m not ready to leave, to say goodbye, to give Sara a final hug. I’m not ready.
But I am so unbelievably grateful.
My heart is going to hold on to this week for a very long time.
Done.
