When Holidays Burn with Love and Loss

A Tribute to My Beloved Sister Barbie

It with sadness mixed with joy that I share that my big Sissy Barbie passed away last night (Weds) with her husband David and son Tom at her side.

Barbie battled pancreatic cancer for over a year, something that was amazing that she lived that long with it. In October, she fell and doctors said she tore her intestines and had "hours to live" and she didn't pass from that. What was SUCH a blessing was that Tuesday morning she ate food and drank and was talking with her son Tom after she had 4 days of declining and sleeping all the time and we were all prepared to lose her. But Tuesday night while Johnny and I were at Texas Roadhouse, waiting to have our anniversary dinner, Tom (Barb's son) was with Barb and called me and I got to talk to her for 5 minutes! In fact she was able to talk to ALL of her siblings. We believe this was a precious gift from Jesus for all of our family.

Barbie was born on Valentine's Day and left this world at Thanksgiving time. She and I had our moments, even a brief “falling out” many years ago, but we reconciled and our last years together were spent with A LOT of laughter! We’d BUST A GUT in laughter over so many things and I will miss her sense of humor, her bellowing laugh, and how when I would call her I would say, “BAH BAH WAH” (like we pronounced Barbara Walters first name!) and she would reply with a drawn out, “Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!”

Here's what Barb’s husband David said this morning about today, Thanksgiving, and his loss:

"I apologize for informing you by text message, but I must tell about 50 people this morning that:

My beloved wife Barbara Peak passed away to be with our Savior Jesus Christ last night at 6:30p.m., Wed. Nov. 27th.

This is a day of Thanksgiving. Let us remember that Barbara has no more pain and no more tears, only joy and happiness. Let us be happy for her."

I am not sure yet when the funeral will take place, but I will be flying to Sacramento, CA to be with my family and attend her celebration of life while Johnny will likely stay home, due to his health issues.

I am so glad her suffering is over and that she's with her beloved Savior now. Please keep our family in your prayers and HUG YOUR FAMILY members this beautiful Thanksgiving Day!

My family in 2015 after celebrating the life of my Mom (“Nana”) who passed. We were so sad, yet filled with JOY for we knew she wne to be with Jesus! Barbie is seated in the middle (next to my husband Johnny, who is above me) and I am in the SF Giants sweatshirt.

I will be taking a 2-week break from my Substack. But when I return here, I will share some very exciting news about a dream, a supernatural assignment actually, that God has given to me. For anyone who loves companion animals, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS what God plans to do through me! And I refuse to take any credit for what He has already done (developing lost pet recovery work) in my past through me, nor will I take credit for what He will soon be doing through me for those who deeply love companion animals and grieve over their passing—I am simply a humble servant of His, ready to share his lovingkindness with those who are willing to listen.