Kristi Sherwood Crum was raised in Mesa, Arizona where she continues to reside today. Kristi became friends with Tricia when they were juniors at Mesa High School. They sang together in the “Superstitions” madrigal choir, served together on the seminary council and joined the drill team together. They had a great group of friends that enjoyed all the wonderful experiences of youth – snowball dances, seminary, road shows, school musicals etc.
On Valentines Day 34 years ago, Kristi married a wonderful man Phil Sherwood and they raised four beautiful children. Phil served as the Bishop of their ward. From his wonderful example of giving, Kristi later wrote a book entitled The Little Stream.
Kristi & Phil with their children and grandchildren
In 2002, their daughter Hillary had just been called to serve a mission. Then as if it came from out of the blue, Phil became ill. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. All of a sudden, their lives changed and would never be the same again. Four days after her dad was diagnosed with cancer, Hillary left on her mission.
Phil’s illness was a terrible blow to the family. He had always been a vibrant and healthy man dedicated to serve others in any way he could. His illness quickly progressed and his abilities were challenged.
Kristi & Phil in 2003, three months before he passed away
Six weeks before Hillary was scheduled to come home from her mission, her mother, Kristi, went to the temple to seek the Lord’s inspiration. Kristi felt impressed to ask Hillary’s mission president to extend an early release to Hillary so she could see her father whose health was quickly deteriorating. Hillary came home and visited her dad in the hospital. They had a sweet reunion. Then the very next day, Phil passed away. Sorrow swept over the family, through the ward and among their friends. Tricia, a good friend of the family, was asked to sing at the funeral, a song that Kristi had written called “Be Still.”
As Kristi moved forward with her life, she met another wonderful man, Richard Crum, who had also lost his spouse to cancer. Kristi and Richard married and their family became ten children and 24 grandchildren.
Kristy & Richard's wedding with their grandchildren. Kristi, Richard, Clayton, and Afton.
In the Spring of 2009, Kristi began having health problems of her own. It started with excruciating pain in her back and legs. She thought perhaps that she had pinched a sciatic nerve. Then one day the pain was so intense that she couldn’t move at all. Richard called the paramedics and she was taken to the hospital. The doctor discovered that a tumor in her vertebrae had burst. Three surgeries later, she had 18 steel rods in her back to compensate for the problem. However, the doctors told her that the tumor did not originate there so they worked hard to find the source of the problem. Then the unimaginable news came. Kristi was diagnosed with lung cancer, the very same illness that had taken the life of her husband, Phil, six years earlier.
Although she was stunned with this diagnosis, she felt a certain peace and comfort in her soul from having experienced this illness with Phil. But the news was nevertheless, devastating to her family and loved ones. “That was a sad day,” Kristi says. “I could also sense Phil’s sadness beyond the veil. But I knew Heavenly Father wouldn’t give me something I couldn’t do. I’m not the only one this has happened to and so, I will endure it well.”
Recently, Richard was laid off from his job. Kristi’s medical bills and living expenses are soaring higher each day. This is what prompted the making of A Simple Gift of Love. When Kristi learned that Tricia was making a CD for her benefit, she cried. She is thankful for the sacrifice and love that is being shown to her through the making of this CD and to all who have rallied to support her.
Last Updated (Monday, 02 November 2009 11:05)