Becky my hero

OK so I am going to try and type this without getting hysterical. A dear friend of mine has suffered from Brain Cancer the past few years. She has gone through many trials and triumphs because of it. And now finally they have decided with the help of prayers and fasting that it is time to let our dear friend return back to her father in heaven. Now they are not sure how long she has, but her family has returned back home to be with her. This wonderful lady who is my hero is Becky Gropp.

I met her daughter Lynnae when I was 12 at Girl's camp, and had an instant friendship with her. She became an adopted part of our branch. For the next few years I would see Lynnae at different Young Women events in the stake. Then when I was 14, I met her brother Kyle and we all decided to go bowling together with my family. After bowling and CiCi's pizza my parents let us go back to their house in Waco to hang out until our Branch social that night. This is when I met Chris & Becky. They were so friendly, and welcoming. I felt at home with them around.

Every time we would come to Waco we would stop and say hi to the Gropps...mainly to see the kids, but I always hoped Becky & Chris would be there so I could say hi to them. Becky was always so friendly to me whenever I would see her at church events, stop by at her home. And if I didn't come give her a hug, she would make sure and tell me that I forgot to hug her. :) Every valentines when I was in high school my sister and I would deliver red roses to her that would say to our Second mom. And even though my dad paid for all of them but one set, Becky never said a word about it (though she new exactly who had paid for them).

I have many memories with the Gropp family. ..

• Having bar-b-q's and Korean dinners with them when I would come home from college



• Having them bring me a shake after I got my wisdom teeth pulled.



• Observing in Becky's class for my Elementary Education classes (even if I changed majors)



• Hearing your voice on the phone and hearing you tell me you loved me.



• Going to Fiesta Texas. OK I have to expand on this Story. Sharon and I went to their house to spend the night with Mindi to go to Fiesta Texas. We had never been, and so we didn't know there was swimming. Sharon and I said we would just run to the mall real quick and buy a new swimsuit...Becky looked at us and said no you won't waste your money, or lets say your dads money, on that. You will borrow one of Mindi's. So that is what we did. And when we showed up to the waterpark, my sister and I were going to wear just our t-shirts and swimsuits in. She gave that look to us again and said, "No you will need shorts or some kindof coverup for the bottom." (Thanks Becky for teaching me the importance of modesty). Oh and most importantly...sorry Jim if this embarrasses you, but hearing Jim say "God bless America!" when a girl in an american flag bikini walked by. Then telling the story to Chris & Becky as Chris laughed and Becky gave Jim that look.



• The day before I graduated, my best friend Emily and I had decided to go to Waco to shop and hang out. I had a present for Kyle from my family and decided to drop it by. Becky was the only one home and she took the time to sit down with Emily and me with a glass of lemonade to talk about graduation, life, and going off to college. She welcomed Emily into her home, just as though she was part of the family. By the way you guys made the best lemonade!!!



• When I was a senior I was heading to a regional girls basketball game for my high school. I was with a ton of my friends and it was valentines. So I told them I had to deliver some special flowers to my second mom. So we stopped at her house, I ran up to the door and gave the flowers to her. She hugged me and thanked me....boy I miss your hugs Becky! (And suprise, I actually paid for those flowers myself!!!!)



• I remember after a fireside in Waco, Kyle and I were talking with Sharon and Taylor and we decided to go to Taylors and line dance ( I know my husband would make fun of me for this, but he knows I love doing this still...even though it is the Eletric Slide with the youth at the stake dances). Kyle & Taylor had school the next day, but we didn't. Kyle told me his mom wouldn' t let him go on a school night, and I said sure she would. He laughed and said you go ask her then. So off I went all brave to ask her, while Kyle smirked in the background. I asked her if he could go and hang out with all of us, she told me he had school so no, and we talked a little more and for some reason she gave in to me. After making me promise to make the boys go home by a certain time. And then she gave me a hug.



• I remember having several talks with Becky about boys, life, school, and standards. Becky you are the one who taught me how important it was to dress modestly, to believe I was a daughter of God, and to know that He loves me along with a lot of friends and family.



• I remember when Kyle went to go to the MTC and we went to go and hang out with the Gropps. They took Sharon and I around like we were their own children, and Becky said some things to me, that made a lasting impact on me. So thank you for always being truthful with me.



• I remember all the times they were there for me and my family when my dad had a scare with cancer, was sick in the hospital, and had his stroke. Becky & Chris and Sheila & Barry came to the hospital as soon as they found out about my dad's stroke, and gave me some support, love, hope, and most of all hugs!! Thank you to all of you for that.



• And last of all the most important memory I have with Becky is when my family was sealed in the Dallas temple in September of 1994. Becky and Chris came down to see my sister and I in the nursery. They were the first 2 people I saw when I walked into the sealing room. I will forever remember how you looked that day.

I could go on for hours talking about my memories with the Gropp family. I feel as though they are a part of my family. When I found out on Sunday about Becky I fell apart. I had to hide most of it inside because it was my son's birthday party, but that night I fell apart talking to my husband. I felt helpless, and wanted so bad to jump on a plane and fly down there to get one last hug from Becky, and to be there to help the family. Steve gave me a blessing, and a peace came over me, and I knew it would be alright. I knew it was in Heavenly Father's hands, and no matter what I did or say...things were not going to change. I knew that I would be able to be with and see you again. I love you Becky!!!

I hope Becky you live for a long, long time. And just know that everytime I see roses I will think of you. You have been a part of my life for such a long time, and you have taken care of my parents for me when I have lived so far away. You are an inspiration to me. You have helped me much more than you will ever know. You have helped me to become a better mom, a better teenager, a better student, a better teacher, a better friend, and most of all a better and stronger daughter of God. I want you to know that I hope to see you soon, but if I don't I know will see you again one day, and what a special reunion with lots of hugs that will be. You are my hero and one of my dearest friends. May God bless you and your family.

And to Chris, Lynnae, Kyle, Mindi, Jim & Cory I love you guys and I am praying for all of you and your mom. All of you have had such an important part in my life, and have had a major impact on the person I am today. I will always love you guys and be grateful to you for what you have done for me!

Thanks to the Gropps for being a part of my life, and my families life!!! And Heather & Mindi remember how we went to Schlitterbaun and planned on how we could all be related, well even though part of it worked out and Heather and I are related by blood, I feel Mindi you and your family are a part of mine. I love all of you!!!!