I’ve been trying to write this blog post since Saturday when I got the news that Courtney, the daughter of Mary of Passionate Perseverance, had taken her last breath at 1:51 a.m. She is no longer a slave to her body which worked against her for pretty much her whole life and she is now healed and whole.

From the Lutheran Book of Worship:

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Courtney. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

I wish I had adequate words to describe how much love, respect, and gratitude I have for Mary. She was devoted to Miss Courtney and through her blog, she managed to show the world how to live with joy, grace, and faith while taking care of a kid with special needs. She encouraged all of us mamas with kiddos who weren’t typical not just through her writing, but on Twitter and Facebook. She and I had Facebook messaging conversations while one of us was sitting in the ER with a sick kid and she shares my gallows humor (which is rare).

The information about final arrangements for Miss Courtney is here. If you want to make a donation in memory of Courtney, Mary gives you the options for that. (She also writes the BEST thank-you notes.) If you can give, please do. If you can’t, your prayers are more than appreciated.

Mary, we love you and my family wants you to know how much your witness, encouragement, and all-around awesomeness mean to us.