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Tribute | We remember Rena Nicewonder
I
have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept
the faith.
Untitled Document
Goodbye for Now
 Play
MP3 (3.5 mb)
By Rhonda Lewis (Rena's sister) & Clear Voice
Sometimes I can't understand why someone has to go,
Why someone I know,
Has to be called apart from me for a while,
I still need their smile,
and the warmth they give,
But God knows what's best for now,
He will helps us get through somehow,
So I say this prayer,
And I see you there
And I know that He is still in control.
Chorus:
May His
love shine down on you
And His Blessings flow in all that you do
May He make you strong, help you carry on
'Till we meet again, my cherished friend.
For along the path we take there may be,
A different road for you than for me.
But I know one day, if we choose His way,
We'll walk hand in hand in the promised land.
It won't be for long, so goodbye for now.
I knew a time would come when you'd have to leave,
That it had to be.
There's a better way than we could ever dream,
So much more it seems,
Than I've ever known.
But God knows what's best for now,
He will help me get through somehow,
So I say this prayer,
And I know He's there
And I rest in His strength for a while.
Chorus
©1999, Rhonda Lewis
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Submit a tribute for Rena Nicewonder.
 Shannon C <jaynamom@cox.net> from Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Contributed on May 5, 2005
Rena,
I just wanted to say I lit a candle for you today. One for you and one for me and sat them side by side at the Relay for all the world to see. It was windy but you know those candles never once had to be lit again...
I miss ya my friend and think about you often..
Shannon C.
Iris L <gamom1984@charter.net> from McDonough GA
Contributed on October 1, 2003
I was checking the website, getting ready to recommend it to a friend of friend, when I saw Rena's memorial.
Rena, you were truly a fighter, and an inspiration to me. I know that you are in a better place, and my life is brighter having met you. I will never forget our meeting with Shannon in Panama City.
We will meet again, one glorious day, and you won't have to worry about getting seasick!
Much love and many prayers to her family and loved ones.
Iris
Pam McCusker <littlest_ram77@comcast.net> from Florida
Contributed on September 25, 2003
I was going over my bookmarks and came across my cousin, Rena's, story and this beautiful tribute site to her and all the ladies who have battled cancer. I lost my own Mother, Charlotte, 3 yrs. ago to breast cancer. I was listening to Rhonda's song and thinking, who knew in 1999 (when she wrote it) that we would lose 2 of our family members to cancer, in such a short time? They were both fighters! Our 92 year old Granny died last year. Growing up, I never knew exactly what they meant when they'd say, "Heaven just got sweeter!" But now, I do! Our days won't be easy, with them not in them...but we have to remind ourselves that they are no longer in pain. And it won't be much longer before we'll all be reunited on that beautiful shore in heaven! I too, would like to thank all of you for being such caring people; for reaching out to your fellow "sisters" in their time(s) of need. It's important to go to someone who knows how you feel. That's a blessing and you each are blessings to others! Keep up the good work and as Regina said...Trust in the Lord! We pray that they will find a cure for this terrible disease and soon!
Jackie Read <jakbeau@bellsouth.net> from Kentucky
Contributed on August 19, 2003
I am so sorry to hear of Rena's passing. I got to know her a little bit on the EOTP list. She was there at the very beginning. She *always* had a kind word of encouragement for anyone in pain or confusion.
My condolences to Rena's family. You've lost a terrific woman. I am so very sorry.
Sadly,
Jax in Loo'vulle
Regina Wall <Reginaw31@aol.com> from Panama City
Contributed on August 15, 2003
To All The Eyes On The Prize Women,
My name is Regina and I am Rena's youngest sister. I just wanted to write and tell all of you thank you for all the prayers and support during our time of grief. Rena always found strength to keep fighting through all of you on this web site, and now I find myself being encouraged by all the kind words and prayers by all of you on your memorial page. I believe this web site was sent by God to encourage people like Rena. To all of you who are still fighting the good fight, hang in there and put your trust in the Lord and he will substain you. God has been so good to me and my family, and I know Rena is in his loving arms now. Thank you again for all the kind words and prayers that have been sent out on this memorial page. I have been encouraged by all the tributes posted for Rena. Thank you all so much and God bless you. Regina
Mary Lindsay <marylindsay@hotmail.com> from Vancouver Canada
Contributed on August 2, 2003
To Renas family & friends
I didnt have the pleasure of knowing Rena but I was inspired by her words of courage on the Eyes on the Prize Website.My sincere condolences to you her family. You will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Shannon C. <jaynamom@cox.net> from Fort Walton Beach, Fl
Contributed on July 30, 2003
My dear friend Rena,
What a very special friend you were to me. We had some wonderful times together at Camp Bluebird.....I will never forget that. You had a heart of gold...always worrying about everyone. You always held your head high and had a smile to share.....what an inspiration to all that knew you. May you rest in peace now my friend...we will meet again one day.
I will miss you....but certainly never ever forget you...Hugs to you my friend..
Love,
Shannon
Fay S. from Australia
Contributed on July 29, 2003
I didn't know Rena but I was saddened to hear that she has passed away, especially after reading her story of courage. To Rena's family, and also to those listsisters who knew Rena and are grieving too, I offer my heartfelt sympathy.
Michele T <zmommy@earthlink.net> from Philadelphia, PA
Contributed on July 29, 2003
I am so sad to hear that Rena has finished the race. I've "known" Rena on the EOTP mailing list pretty much from the beginning of the list's creation and will miss her a lot. Jana, I just love the photos of you and your mother on the EOTP picture album page, especially your wedding photo. She looks so incredibly happy! Rhonda, my own sister is battling recurrent breast cancer right now so I know the pain of being on both sides of this illness. I hope you both find strength and comfort in all the love that Rena gave to and received from so many. My condolences to all of her family and friends.
Lola B from Salt Lake City, Utah
Contributed on July 29, 2003
Dear Rena,
You will be missed by so many people. Your zeal for life and golden heartfelt words will surely live on here at EOTP.org. Thank you for sharing your love, wisdom, hope, and life with us all.
To Rena's family......I'm so sorry for your loss. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Rena was such a blessing to have known.
Love,
Lola
Georgia P <links@eyesontheprize.org> from Foxborough MA
Contributed on July 29, 2003
Rena had kept in touch with me (an EOTP listmom) during the last months, even though she was not able to participate in the support list here at EOTP during that time. She had been such an active participant, and it was obvious her illness was not allowing her to do the things she wanted to, like being here among us. Because of her occasional notes to me, this news was not unexpected, but you are never prepared fully for the sad news when you hear it. It is hard to express my sense of loss today, thinking about Rena, and what she meant to her family and friends. My only hope is that she is now in a place where pain and worry do not exist, and that beautiful memories will sustain her family and friends through the difficult times ahead, learning to live with the loss of this special woman.
Love to her family,
Georgia
Katie A <stories@eyesontheprize.org> from Anaheim, California
Contributed on July 29, 2003
How sad I was to hear about Rena's passing. I got to know a little of her sweetness on the list and in working on her story with her. She was a genuinely caring person with a very big heart.
My heartfelt condolences go out to sister, Rhonda, daughter, Jana and all of Rena's family. She must have been a wonderful mother and sister and you must miss her very much.
Love,
Katie A
Marcia Lee-Smith <mklee@uol.com.br> from Brazil
Contributed on July 29, 2003
To Rena's family
My very sincere condolences. Rena was one of the girls that I first knew when I found EOTP.
Nothing can bring her back, but we will never forget her. I am sure she is doing fine now, with the Lord. She was a very brave woman, and we will miss her always.
Marcia
SusanH from Spokane, WA
Contributed on July 29, 2003
To Rena's mom and family:
How sad to lose your daughter and mother. But what a brave fight she undertook. I've learned so much from her story and was pleased to see her smiling face in the pictures posted on EOTP.
May you find solace in knowing that she is a peace and that there are so many women on this site who are willing to help you through your grief.
Thank you, Rena, for sharing your story with all of us "in the race".
Susan H
Sue D. <webmaster@eyesontheprize.org> from Pittsburgh, PA
Contributed on July 28, 2003
We've known for a long while that Rena was having a difficult time, but this news is never easy. Rena was one of the very first members of the EOTP list three years ago and was always so supportive of everyone, no matter what difficulties she was going through -- and there were many.
The first year we launched, we at EOTP wanted to do something special for New Year's Eve. We decided to do a virtual candlelighting to honor all those who were "running the race" and remember those who had "crossed the finish line." Emails poured in from our list sisters with names to put on the page. As I was adding names, the phone rang and I heard a soft Southern voice, "Hello, it's Rena [pronouced the same as "Renee," I discovered at that moment] from the EyesOnThePrize list!" What a delightful surprise to put a voice to a name!
Rena had called me about a beautiful song her sister had written and wondered if it would be possible to add it to the candlelighting page. "It gives me so much hope and comfort, and I think it would help other people, too. My sister said it was OK." It was obvious how proud she was of her sister's talent and generosity. We discussed the gory technical aspects of making an MP3 and what I would need to do it. The next day I received a FedEx package containing her sister's group's (Clear Voice) CD. I made the MP3 just in time for New Year's Eve.
I know Rena was a woman of deep faith and that her family is also. But still, saying "Good Bye" is always hard, even with faith that you will see someone again. Rena was right -- "Goodbye for Now" (above) is a beautiful song, full of hope and love. I hope it gives her family comfort now.
"Goodbye for Now" Rena! I'll see you on the other side of the Finish Line and finally get to meet you face-to-face. We will miss you here at EOTP!
Love,
Sue D.
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