Honoring Georgia Mannino

Georgia … my friend, sister in Christ, fellow BEE superstar, inspiration, leader, mother, wife, sister, aunt, Child of God, Who Dat fan, musician, survivor, champion …

A few months ago, I wrote a blog about how our lives impact those in our inner circle and then how that influence spreads into our outer circle.  I had the unique experience recently of seeing the power of that in the life of my friend, Georgia Mannino.  Georgia and I worked together at Bonne Ecole Elementary for the last 14 years.  Yet, it was over the last 3-4 years that we really got to know one another better through a teacher prayer group at school.  It was during this time that Georgia shared her heart with me and the others in this group.  Being given the opportunity to prayer for another person is a wonderful gift, yet Georgia gave the gift right back to me through her prayers for me.  Over these past few years, I prayed for her children, her family, and her battle with cancer.  Boy oh boy did she fight!  I remember listening to her with amazement as she shared so much about herself from a medical standpoint.  She knew more than the doctors knew … I truly believe that.  She took amazing care of herself, and I sent numerous people to talk to her about how nutrition can impact your health.

I remember one day, a year ago, when she came in my classroom and just cried in my arms, telling me how tired she was of fighting.  All I could do was hold her and think about how tired I was of her fighting as well.  Georgia was always there for me while our family prayed for Henry’s healing.  She told others to pray wherever she went.  I will never forget the day I emailed all Kaley’s teachers at Slidell Junior High to let them know about Henry’s passing.  One of the first emails I received back was from one of her teachers who had been praying faithfully because of Georgia sharing the request with her.  She also took up the battle cry for my beautiful friend, Mary, as she battled with breast cancer.  Her strength always encouraged me, but I knew WHO her source of strength was.  Thinking of her reminds me of these verses from Isaiah:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
29 He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary." 

She did get tired, but then a new strength would rise up in her that was directly from Christ.

Right after Christmas, I went by her house and she told me about her problems with breathing and feeling anxious.  I began praying for peace for her at that moment and continued on with that prayer.  A few days later, she sent me a text to let me know she was at the emergency room getting checked out.  I was thankful that she was receiving medical attention to see what was going on inside her body.  My beautiful friend, Claire, went with me to go visit Georgia in the hospital on New Year’s Eve.  While we were there, we had the privilege of holding hands with her and praying.  Yet, what struck me more than anything was what happened the moment Claire stopped praying.  At that point, Georgia began to pray for us.  It blew me away that even though her needs were great, she took the time to speak to Father about us.  Just as she had done so many times, she put her own needs to the side to pray for someone else.  What a blessing to go into the New Year with my beautiful friend’s prayers saturating my spirit!

When Georgia was sent back home, I went by again with my friend, April.  When we got there she was about to do a breathing treatment and wanted to postpone it, but we insisted she continue on with it.  As soon as she was done, I went and sat right next to her and just listened to her as she shared different stories.  One story she began to tell was about coming to see Kaley and I dance together at church.  God knew I needed to hear her tell this story, since I had no idea how much it had meant to her.  I could have sat there all night and listened to her tell stories and joke around with everyone else.

The following week, we had a SHINE meeting and all the students made cards for her.  I left the cards at school thinking I would bring them by the next day after school.  As I was driving home, Claire called and said you need to take the cards tonight.  I braced myself and drove over there. I did not know if the family would want me to visit with her or not, but as soon as I arrived, her sister, Genie, sent me straight to the back with the cards.  I again got to sit down on the bed with her and visit.  I got to read every card to her and share with her the beautiful sentiments of the students.  Some of them offered apologies and asked for forgiveness for their behavior.  She just smiled and told me that music was her heart.  She shared that gift with my daughter, Kaley, and I got to tell her how much that meant to me.  Being able to sit face to face with someone and share how much she means to you is a powerful gift.  That was the last time I would get to visit with her, but it is a treasure that I will always have.

At her funeral, I saw countless people from so many different places that she had impacted.  I was in awe as I sat back and realized how many lives she touched.  Some people who did not attend the funeral thought it was strange when I talked about how I smiled through the whole funeral.  It was all about honoring her with music, and it was a concert that she would have LOVED.  Her family found a way to honor her and encourage others through their actions.  I believe I know who they learned that from … her.  As we had a jazz processional out to the gravesite, I thanked God for this friend who blessed my life.  As I looked around, I saw all the others she had impacted as well, including her children.  If you are reading this, please pray for Jon, Anna, and Wesley.  To lose both of your parents at such young age is so hard, yet when you look at them you see a strength that could only have come from God and was modeled by the parents He blessed them with in this life.  I pray that all of us can go about our lives and let Christ shine through us to touch and minister to those around us. 

Thank you, Georgia,  for sharing that Light and Love with me.  I am forever grateful.

Becoming Who My Father Sees in Me, 
Suzanne 

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