JANESVILLE—When Laura Diehl visited her daughter Becca the last time, she knew something was wrong. So she made supper for her Janesville family and drove back to the hospital in Madison. Laura was too late. By the time she arrived, Becca’s heart gave out. Ironically, the chemotherapy that saved Becca’s life at age 3 damaged her heart and cut her life short at age 29. Laura’s oldest child died Oct. 12, 2011.
“When Becca died, it took me to an extremely dark place,” Laura said. “I didn’t know such darkness existed. I was isolated and alone.” She did not know anyone who had lost a child. She had never even grieved a close death. But Laura still had her husband, Dave, four other children and two grandchildren.
“I didn’t want to live in a shell waiting to die,” Laura said. “I still wanted to live for the people in my life that I love. I wanted to cherish them even more.” An ordained minister, Laura believes her faith in God is what got her out of what she calls “the grief pit.