May
I said goodbye to a very good friend last week. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do. My friend Alisa has battled cancer, melanoma, for the past 8 years. She has overcome so much, and we have witnessed so many miracles through her. She fought so hard, and never let it get the best of her. She never wanted her husband or boys to think she wouldn't do anything possible to stay with them. She has been such an example to me of hope, faith, and love, and I am forever blessed to call her my friend. The evidence of how many lives she touched was in the overflowing chapel, and also in the tremendous service and outpouring of love in putting together a celebration of her life. I love my neighborhood, and all the wonderful people around us. We have such a great community and neighborhood, and everyone came together to show support for her family.
The week before she passed away I was able to go and see her one last time. She wasn't talking anymore or awake much at all, but I just wanted one last chance to tell her I love her and that she will be missed. I've cried more in the past couple of weeks than I can remember crying in a very long time. It seems to hit me when I least expect it. I feel such a peace for her, because she has fought so long and hard, and touched so many, but also so very sad that she is gone. I am glad she can finally rest. It's those of us left behind that struggle and feel a void without her. I'm so grateful to have known Alisa, and to have been touched by her kindness and friendship. She will be missed.
Alisa shared her journey on her blog, http://joshalisa.blogspot.com, and had an amazing way with words. She had so many beautiful posts about love, life, and family, and enjoying each moment. I hope I can remember the things she shared and remember to live like she did, appreciating all the little things. She knew what we so often forget, that this life is a gift.
Our little group of friends seems lonely with one less, but I have been so thankful for the strength of my friends during this tough time. We are all even more grateful to have each other, and for the many other beautiful people and parts of life. We've been talking and telling stories and exchanging memories lately, so I thought I'd share some of the pictures I've come across.
Alisa Johnson Linton, 36, passed away peacefully in her home
in Lehi, Utah on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 on the morning of her 15th wedding
anniversary to her middle school sweetheart, Joshua Linton. Her three
boys and beloved husband were by her side.
Alisa was born in Mesa, Arizona on January 18, 1979.
She was the second of nine children born to Paul and Jill Johnson. She
spent much of her enchanted childhood in the country in Paradise, Utah.
Her family later moved to Sandy, Utah. She was a successful and
well-loved student at Jordan High School and later Ricks College where she
earned her Associate of Science in Nursing. After earning her degree, she
worked as a Registered Nurse. On May 19, 2000, Alisa married Joshua James
Linton in the Salt Lake Temple. She finished a Bachelor of Science in
Public Health from Brigham Young University.
She accomplished many things in her short lifetime.
She was an excellent student, a dedicated nurse, a talented photographer, a
poetic writer and a courageous cancer patient. But her favorite role was
mother. The same bold determination that characterized all her pursuits
also defined her commitment to her boys, James, Sam and Luke. Of them she
said, "I have given three wonderful children life, but I can't
shake the feeling that in some strange ways, they have given me mine."
Alisa was an artist and everything she touched became
beautiful. She had a gift for photography and many of her friends and
family own treasured images that she captured for them. Alisa loved to
travel and experience first hand the beauty of God's creations, but she didn't
need to travel to find beauty. Her idea of the perfect summer evening was
to watch her kids and dog playing in the water hole in the park. She loved to
decorate, garden, cook and entertain and did it all with ease, style and love.
She could also see the good and beautiful in the people she loved as well as
those she had just met. She was compassionate and would draw upon
experiences of her own hard times to know just how to help a friend in
need. She was a true disciple of Christ.
Cancer opened her eyes and then her inspiring writing opened
ours. On her blog, she reminded us to be grateful, "to
share more," to pray, to "appreciate
now," and that "love is what makes us happy." She showed us how
to love life unconditionally, to
trust, to share your life with someone. She learned that
"the way out is through," that "the world is kind and good," to
believe in miracles and that sometimes miracles sing.
Alisa is survived by her loving husband; Joshua James
Linton, and three sons; James Michael, Samuel Kent, Luke Joshua, her parents;
Paul and Jill Johnson, siblings; Sonja (Robert), Jon Paul (Bryanna), Michael
(Amy), Matthew (Brittany), AnneMarie (Nathan), Kari (Bryon), Mark (Amanda),
Kirsten (Alex), and grandmother; Donna Washburn as well as many adoring
in-laws, nephews and nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.
The family wishes to thank all the people who have reached
out in love and support to them throughout Alisa's fight. They especially
wish to thank the many doctors and nurses at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for
their dedicated care. Alisa had a special place in her heart for her
nurses.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday May 22,
2015 at the Lehi East Stake Center at 851 N 1200 E. A viewing will be
held on Thursday evening from 5:30-8:00pm at the same location as well as from
9:30 to 10:30 Friday morning.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Alisa's name. https://donate.huntsmancancer.org/alisa-linton
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