Our long-time friends Ken and Mari Bernhardt lived lives like most of us, with its normal ups and downs. That was until the tail end of January, maybe the first of February.

Within days of each other, Ken had a cerebral brain hemorrhage and Mari was diagnosed with lung cancer, which took her life two months later. Ken continues to recover from his illness. Their children have been phenomenal in their attention and care during the three-plus months.

Below is something which I wrote and shared with several of their family members. I include it today for Karen's Korner readers, with their permission.

On Saint Patrick's Day, I knew that all three of Mari and Ken's kids were busy that day, a well-deserved break after being such attentive kids for both mom and dad. Knowing that Mari had given up driving, I volunteered to take her to see Ken in our local hospital that afternoon, if she wanted. She said yes.

We spent nearly two hours at the hospital. Upon returning home and Mari beginning her climb out of my van, she turned to say, "I have studied the Bible for years. But now I don't know if I am good enough to go to heaven."

I replied, "None of us are good enough. We only have to accept Jesus' invitation to take us there." She continued her climb out of my vehicle.

On Thursday, I was scheduled to take a turn, driving Mari to her radiation treatment in Ames. While I had prayed with her family/friends as we might eat a meal together at our home, I had never 'prayed with Mari'. I decided if God gave me the opportunity, that would change on Thursday.

Wednesday evening, the local Methodist church hosted a simulcast of Lee Strobel, who is most known for his 'Case for Christ' writing. He was introducing his new book, 'Case for Miracles' as he searched the world to find true miracles. Do they still exists today? He found that they do! In the question and answer session, Strobel was asked, "While we know there are miracles, what do you say to people who prayed for miracles but didn't get them?' Strobel's response, "Always pray for a miracle. Believe a miracle. Know that the miracle may be for this life or the one that is coming."

When I went to pick up Mari the next morning, I was recounting that story to her. When we got into the car, I asked her if I could pray with/for her. She said, "Yes". So we prayed for a miracle. God knew and knows what we want/wanted. Can't recall what else I might have said.

We had a really good time together. Talking as we drove. Eating a quick lunch after her treatment. On our trip home, I told her about a book that I love and have shared with people to read who are struggling with life-threatening illnesses, by Dr. David Jeremiah (it is more of a picture book/travel guide) titled, "Discovering Paradise - Heaven - Your True Home". I gave her a copy to take with her.

The next morning as I was between sleep and waking up, it seemed like God said to my mind, "Tell Mari she has a miracle. The miracle is her. Because she belongs to Me!" I was so excited that I texted her (looking back it was sent at 4:30 a.m.!).

In a couple of hours, I got this text from Mari (which I will keep in my phone until I am old!):  "We did have a good time and it ended to be a beautiful day! We got a lot of good talking in! Thanks for the miracle...it's me! (smiley face emoji!)."

And the book? I had some remorse of giving a book to someone so sick. How would she ever read it?

Several days after her funeral (Mari died on April 6), their daughter Rhonda made sure I got it back (Mari's orders!). Could she read the book? Not! But she asked other people to read it to her. Even when she was very, very sick, she'd rouse to say, "Isn't that beautiful?"