In Memory of Emily Haager

Emily Haager was a friend from Biola University. I had the pleasure of meeting her through some mutual friends. I remember making fun of her size (4’11) before I found out she had Cystic Fibrosis (In some cases it’s been known to stunt growth). Good job. I didn’t know much about CF before I met Emily. Apparently, at the time of her birth, the doctors said she would not live to graduate high school.

Emily had around-the-clock treatment for her breathing. As the time passed she would lose more and more of her ability to breathe. You wouldn’t know it if you were around her. She always had a joy that illuminated a room. She never played the self-pity card despite all of the suffering she had to endure on a daily basis. It makes me wonder how joyful she would have been without CF. I get grouchy when I my back starts to hurt or when I don’t get enough to eat (according to me).

I only had a handful of conversations with her but that doesn’t mean she didn’t touch my life. I have many friends who were much closer to her. You could always tell how special a person was by how much their friends loved them. And Emily was deeply loved by her community of friends and family and the spheres of influences she created by her proactive life-style.

Here’s an excerpt from the program at her memorial:

“Emily Haager lived her life to the fullest – through adventure, fun and challenges. As an adult living with Cystic Fibrosis, she viewed her life’s purpose as using her infectious joy and her battle with cystic fibrosis to positively impact the world. She volunteered regularly as a speaker and mentor with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Mauli Ola Foundation to help spread awareness of CF. For the past two years, she has been the ambassador of Pipeline to a Cure, a gala event to bring the surfing and CF communities together to raise awareness and funding for research to find a cure for CF. Emily worked for Mt. San Antonio Community College as group leader and interpreter. Emily held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders from Biola University where she was actively involved in campus life as a resident advisor. Emily loved the beach and grew up swimming competitively, singing in choirs and loving life. She leaves behind a legacy of hope, her loving family and an incredible community of close friends.”

One of my pastors said this regarding funerals, “One of the most important things I've done in my life is to attend funerals of saints who've lived for what lasts (even if I didn't know them personally). This has always helped me to be more sober, hopeful, intentional, and grateful. The gospel of the cross of Christ always looms larger and more wonderful after a going away party for someone who died, but is alive in Christ.”

Yes, that’s what Emily’s memorial service did for me. It’s always sad to see a friend die but it's hopeful for friends who are in Christ because of the way they lived. With all her efforts to help spread awareness of CF, she would also mention the one thing that was closest to her heart- the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a disease that plagues all of humanity, namely, the disease of sin, which separates us from a loving and caring heavenly Father. Although there is not yet a cure for Cystic Fibrosis there is a cure for Sin. The cure is faith in the person and work of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Emily believed this with all of her heart and she would want you to believe this as well.

Emily was asked once if she had one wish what would it be. She replied, “…to live one day without Cystic Fibrosis.” She wanted to experience one day of life without the around-the-clock treatment, the suffering, and the limitations that CF brings. The Lord granted her not just one day but all of eternity without CF and more importantly, a glorified life without Sin and eternal fellowship with her heavenly Father. These are the things that she lived for.



Emily,

Thank you Emily for your laughter and infectious joy. You never let the Cystic Fibrosis bring you down. You were still able to worship our God beautifully in the midst of all your suffering. You never once wavered on the goodness of our Lord. You’ve touched a community far more than you could have ever realized this side of heaven. I have no doubts our heavenly Father is showing the fruits of your labor now in eternity. I regret not knowing you better but I do appreciate the few conversations we did have and the godly legacy you now leave behind. Thank you for showing us how to “drink the wild air” of life and embodying the joy that surpasses understanding. Although you had a short time here (27 years) you lived with a purpose and impacted peoples’ lives that will go far beyond your years. Thank you for living life to the fullest and inspiring us to do the same.

Your Brother in Christ,

Junior J.

“live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.”
- Ralph W. Emerson