Wednesday, April 17, 2024
When I saw that Mrs. Gavin passed in the St. Gabriel's Church Bulletin, I was devastated! I had known her in childhood as a parent of a classmate. What many don't know is that at the age of 41, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Later, I was at a school function for my children at St. Gabriel School. She approached me, asked about my health (as I was in a bandana that covered my bald head), and asked if she could give me a "healing hug". At first, I was hesitant, but then something made me feel like I needed this woman in my life. In her embrace, I could feel love, faith, and hope! Over the years she shared religious passages and relics with me. Here I am at the age of 53 with no evidence of disease. I truly believe that Mrs. Gavin was an angel on Earth who helped guide me through the most difficult journey of my life. May she rest in the eternal glory of our Lord and may her children find comfort and peace in knowing that their mom had such a powerful impact on a woman who needed a hug! Kelly (Blood) Mack
