Thanks to the bright souls at World of Wonder, I was blessed to know Tammy Faye. “Blessed” is a simple word for the powerful impact she had on all our lives. I have spent this morning re-reading letters and notes I received from Tammy and found this, “Honey, look back at my life and the whole message is ‘There is NOTHING too hard for the Lord!'” Well, there was nothing too hard for Tammy. No matter what joy people found in making her the target of their humor, she wouldn’t fall for it. No matter what illness was given her to battle, she’d conquer it. No matter what betrayals came her way, she forgave them. No matter what sick heart came to her for love, she gave it. When I left her in June and we gave each other a final hug, she spoke a blessing for my mom to keep her safe after my dad just passed away. I tried to return the blessing, asking Jesus to keep our Tammy safe, but He was tapping me on the shoulder saying, “It’s already being done. It’s time for her to go.”

I’m sure she left this earth wearing her high-heeled lucite slippers, rings on all her fingers, and not a lash out of place. She was dressed in her favorite St. John knit and ready to be collected by God’s car and driver. She probably laughed the whole way up the golden staircase, waving to all. We will wave now, one hand holding a Diet Coke, the other squinting through our lashes into the sunshine, where we can see Tammy, sitting next to God, having the time of her life.

– Alicia Gargaro, producer, Tammy Faye: Death Defying