Let me tell you about my friend Tracey Clarke. I am currently on a plane leaving Washington, D.C. where I was able to spend some time with Tracey and her husband, Craig Clarke.
Tracey entered my life about 12 years ago when she and Craig began dating in Atlanta. Craig was then a full-time student and a part-time youth minister. Tracey was (and still is) an accomplished artist (http://traceyclarke.com/). She came to the church because of the established arts community there and ended up meeting one of the best men that I know. Craig and Tracey have been together since in a relationship of which I respect, admire, and hope to have one day myself.
Tracey is an artist of the highest order. Tracey is a follower of Christ to a level that has been inspiring and challenging to me personally. Craig often refers to me as her male twin, as he thinks we are united in our world views, personalities, and desires to please Christ with our entire lives. This is one of the finest compliments of which I have ever received.
One year ago this week, July 22, 2011, I was in a bowling alley in Fort Collins, Colorado. I received a call from Craig. It was one of those moments I will never forget.
Tracey had experienced some strange physical symptoms and gone to the emergency room. The doctors discovered three brain tumors. The pathology report showed it was stage 4 brain cancer, known as gliobastoma. She was given a 3-5% chance to still be alive by January 2013. Most never make seven months.
Twelve months, two brain surgeries, countless chemotherapy sessions, and a few experimental Avastin treatments later, Tracey is still fighting. Tracey is still loving her husband. Tracey is still trusting her Savior with her entire life. Tracey is still encouraging and inspiring me and many others whom are fortunate enough to call her friend.
From the beginning, Tracey and Craig committed to be open and transparent in all stages of this journey; the victories and defeats, the joys and pains. They are committed to honoring Christ through this process, no matter where this story takes them. One of the ways has been through their blog (click here). I think you will enjoy looking into it.
Several of the posts have been so moving to me that I have literally read them aloud in our church services in Asia as part of the worship. There have been more pains than joys so far, but through it all, Tracey has pointed me and the others following her journey to Christ. It has been an amazing journey.
The newspaper in Fredricksberg, Virginia came across Tracey’s journey. One of the journalists was moved by Tracey’s story and life. She wrote this story about Tracey. I encourage you to read it (page 1 and page 2 of the newspaper).
These past few days have been a joy beyond words getting time with the Clarkes. We enjoyed meals together, attended one of Tracey’s Avastin treatments together, did life together. We sat up late one night talking of issues of life, death, pain, and true joy. We laughed and cried a little, but mainly just talked of our understanding of eternity and our Savior whom has been so good to us. It was a wonderful time of true fellowship, encouragement, and worship of our Creator and Savior, Christ Jesus.
Please pray for Tracey and Craig. I love them and only want God’s best for them. Pray for intimacy with each other and Jesus in the midst of the pain from this disease to the extent which I cannot imagine. Pray for joy, real joy, for both of them. . . the type of joy that transcends the wreckage, depression, and darkness that naturally comes with this awful disease. Pray for a miracle of healing.
Thank you for reading this and joining Tracey and Craig on this journey.
(For an update on Tracey and thoughts on how to pray for her, please see Praying for my friend, Tracey. . . as her journey continues and Tracey Clarke and the culmination of her journey.)
Thanks for sharing Tracey’s story and linking her blog and artwork… so great to see and read. We’ll keep praying for her.
Thanks Chris. . . hope you guys are well!
Wow friend. Thanks for sharing Tracey’s story. I’m glad you got to spend time with them. Is Craig related to Phil Clarke?
This IS one of Phil’s brother. Good memory!
Thanks for sharing Tracey’s story. She is an incredible artist and woman of faith and love. She is an inspiration!
Thanks, Paula. . . I can’t believe that it has been so long since we have seen each other. I really want to meet your family!
Tracey & Craig are two amazing people. It is as if two hearts beat as one, they are so close to each other and their trust in the Lord Jesus inspires me & others. I have never met this wonderful couple but Craig’s mother is a Dear Friend of mine for over 60 years so I know where he gets his Trust & Faith from. I Love & Admire these two and as their journey continues, I wish them the Best & Trust in the Lord. Miracles do Happen!
Thanks for your thoughts here, Jane. . . any friend of Mrs. Clarke’s is a friend of mine!
This must be a hard journey and I am praying for her healing in Jesus Name. Nothing is impossible with God.
You are faithful to all your friends, may God continue to use you.
Tracey is doing well, but still locked in quite a battle with her cancer. Please keep praying for her, as the battle is far from over. Thanks!
My mom knew the Clarkes in Atlanta years ago. Her college roommate sent her this article about Tracey & my mom noticed your articles about singleness. She told me about your blog because it’s recently been on my heart to start something for older singles at my church & I’ve been doing research on Christian singles, articles from the perspective of a single person, etc. Thank you so much for sharing from your heart what Christian singles deal with (and what keeps us sane 🙂 ). Most of all, thanks for pointing everything back to Christ.
Thanks Kelly. Great hearing from you. Let me know when you get your blog up and running. Would love to read along!
I bought several of Tracey`s paintings after the loss of my husband. She had a grounded sensible faith in ways which helped me as I tried to reconcile myself to what had happened to me and mine. I could not believe a real god would first give someone so much talent and then take it away just as she was needed. I am still not sure and suppose I never will know. Her courage along with her husbands, inspired me to try to “get on with it”. She was starting a new painting for me which I suppose we both knew would not get finished….but we kept at it, hoping and hoping… I so hoped and believed she would be able to……similar to The Guide except the bird would be the bullfinch, the traditional Christmas bird in Norway, the only creature with bright colors in a so distert winter background. I was serlfish enough to want the painting for my own comfort, but I know she was excited and encouraged also when she bought the large canvas to get started. I followed her journey as best I could, but felt so sad within myself, and knowing what was coming that I finally quit. It was not long after her death I thought I would see how she was doing, hoping for the best, and finding out that she had died. ….I guess they needed a painter with reflection “up there” more than I did. Today after being alone for 6 years, I miss him still, and some days I think if I don`t get to meet him one more time I cant stand it……I knocked one of her paintings off the wall accidentally and took it to the frame gallery for repair….picking it up today. I look at The Prophet and I look at her other paintings and wonder how her husband is getting on and hoping he is doing better than I did at that time. If you get this message and if you still are in contact with him would you send my warmest regards. He does not know me, but I hope it warms his heart to be thought of in this way. my best regards Sally Vedal
Hey Sally, thank you so much for sharing here and letting me know about your relationship and admiration for Tracey. Obviously, I loved her very much, as I love her husband as well.
Craig did see this message and was very appreciative. He told me about your patronage of Tracey and how much Tracey did grow to like and care for you. He said you guys talked some.
Craig is doing well, but obviously he misses Tracey immensely, as do I and her other family and friends. However, God’s grace has been apparent in his life, as has been in all of our lives whom were fortunate enough to know and love Tracey.
Just as I am confident of your husband, we miss Tracey, but are eternally grateful for the place and space we were blessed with to have her in our lives. I can’t wait to see her again on the other side of eternity, though!
Sally, again, thanks for your comments. Very good for my heart to read and remember our dear friend Tracey through your kind and sincere words here.