Whispering Prayers

I think I'm finished with this . . .
This picture is very important to me, so please, please, please don't criticize it no matter how bad you may think it is.
And I know that it's long, but I would appreciate it if you would read what I have written below.

A year ago I met a wonderful woman named Lea. She was the mother of one of my team mates on my volleyball team. I was having a tough year, I felt out of place and insecure - I had some serious issues with self-image and I still do. I would beat myself up about a lot of things about myself, and I didn't think that I was a good volleyball player or a good person or pretty or anything positive about myself.
When I first met Lea, even though I barely knew her, she complimented me severely and told me that I was a fantastic player and that I was gorgeous. She was one of the nicest people I've ever met, and the most fun. She would passionately cheer me on and offer support when she attended our tournaments and I could talk to her about anything and she'd cheer me up. I didn't tell her everything that was bothering me, but she had a way of making me smile and forget about my self-esteem issues. Having her there was always a pleasure, and I felt like a better player and person for her presence.

It was obvious that Lea had some health issues, but it seemed that she was getting better and the cancer was in remission. I was happy because the good people shouldn't have to die, and she was one of the best people I've ever met. Volleyball season ended, and I didn't see her again and moved on with other things in my life. Then club season came again and her daughter was on my team again. I heard from Leann that the cancer had come back. But this time, the cancer was malignant and there was nothing they could do but delay how long it would be until she died.

Lea has held on until today, as far as I know, even though she was supposed to die by Christmas. I saw her this past Sunday and I felt so happy seeing her because I remembered how much she meant to me. It was hard talking to her, she looked exhausted and she spoke very slowly and sat in a wheelchair. But even though she was exhausted, she tried so hard to voice what she wanted to say, and she told me how beautiful I was and I told her how happy I was that she'd come. It was the hardest thing in the world to see her like that, but I'm so glad that I talked to her, and I wish that I'd said more because she had to leave after the next game. I don't know if it's the last time I'll see her. I don't want it to be, but I don't know how long she'll last.

I wanted to draw this to show how much she means to me. I drew an angel because that's what she wanted me to draw, and that's how I feel about her. She's Hawaiian, so I drew her in a Hawaiian dress. I'm so scared that she won't make it until Monday. I'm so scared of losing her. I want her to see and to know what she means to me. I want her to understand that I'll do anything for her. It's been hurting so much the past few months thinking that she's dying, but it hurt the most when I realized it right now. That she's going to be gone and there's nothing I can do about it.

Please, God, I'm not very religious, but the one thing I want most in the world right now is for her to at least survive on long enough to see my picture and to know how much she has meant to me.
I've only seen her a few times, but it feels like I've known her forever and I'm losing a sister. If I feel that way, then I can't imagine what her family's going through. So I hope that this not only helps her, but helps them, too. You are beautiful, Lea, one of the most beautiful people I know.