Over the weekend I learned a guy I knew in college had passed away. He was only thirty years old! I could not believe someone my age could die of natural causes. It brought me to a state of realization of how precious life is. How you can be going about your life then snap, it’s over. Although I relish in the fact that he is home with our Savior, it hits me how unfair it seems. He was starting life, did not have a chance to start a family.
It also brought memories of the first time the death of a young friend happened in my life. I only have a couple of memories of her. I remember when I first met her. We were in grade school. She was a new girl; I was playing with a group of my friends and noticed her standing by her self seeming totally lost. I walked over to her and asked if she wanted to come and play with me and my friends. She shyly said no, she would rather play where she was. I asked her if she wanted to jump rope with me. She smiled and eagerly said yes. So we played jump rope and tether ball.
I remember she was a sweet and shy girl. She would not initiate conversations, but once you started talking to her she opened up. I also remember inviting her to a slumber birthday party of mine. I remember making sure she felt included, I liked my new friend.
One day I remember my mom explaining to me that she had gone to the hospital for she had an asthma attack. Mom also told me her heart had stopped and she went to Heaven. I did not know how to react, kids my age don’t die! Some time later I remember my mom and I driving up to this little girl’s house. Her mom was having a garage sell. She was selling all of the little girl’s stuff. I could not believe it. I kept asking myself why was her mom was getting rid of my friend’s stuff? I felt it was so wrong, that stuff belonged to my friend. I remember the mother coming up to the car holding a tissue for she had been crying. The mother gave me the little girl’s coat, saying my friend would want me to have it, that I was a good friend to her daughter.
After my mom and I drove off, I told my mom I didn’t want the coat that we needed to take it back because my friend was going to need her coat. My mom explained to me that the little girl was no longer here that she was with our Savior. I remember feeling so sad wondering why God would take my friend. As years went by I didn’t think of this little girl too often, until one day I found the coat. I couldn’t remember were it came from. My mom reminded me that it came from my little friend that died. Of course as an adult I realized that the coat was a reminder of my friend. My refusal to wear it, yet not letting my mom get rid of it, was my way of dealing with the pain.
It’s funny how I relate these deaths to one and another. They both were people who were in different phases of my life. They were friends who I mourned their deaths. Wondering why they were taken so young. Now that I am older I know that God has a plan, and for some unknown reason their deaths are part of His plan. My two precious friedns are happy for they are home with Him. It those of us left behind who grieve, for we miss them so much.
I think this has reminded me to stop focusing on the negative aspects of my life and start “Counting my Blessings.” We need to use our God given talents to achieve our dreams and goals that He has laid out for us. For God gave us these talents to serve His purpose. We need to act now, for as with my two friends, it can be over tomorrow. Whether it is death or the Rapture, we need to act today, for tomorrow may be to late.
In His name,
Karen.
This blog entry is dedicated to the loving memories of Shane and Christie.
