Struck a Chord

His death struck a chord. I guess it’s because Ashton is Nathan’s age, but I also grieved for them. I prayed for the Lord to give them grace, peace, and mercy. 

     One day, I woke around 4 a.m. and prayed for a long time. The kids who went to Nathan’s school came to mind. I prayed they would come to the funeral and hear about Christ and their need for a personal relationship with Jesus. We may never know why Nathan died, but maybe it was for his classmates to hear about Jesus. 

     One night, a friend wrote a note to the family on Facebook. She said, “You raised a young man who completed his godly purpose on this earth in only 18 years. It takes so many of us so many more years to do the same.” 

     What a remarkable statement. It was a lovely tribute and made me cry.

 

 

"Just like that (part II)"

I arrived around 5:00 p.m. Shari stood in the front yard talking to our music minister. We embraced.

     “Can you believe this is happening?” 

     I shook my head. 

     “No.”

     Shari had been through a lot over the years. Her parents had passed away—her brother had prostate cancer. I was quiet and listened as she mentioned Nathan’s actions the day he died and the details of the wreck. Her strength was incredible.

     We went inside and talked. Shari was thankful for the family vacation they had taken last summer. They’d taken a three-week trip and traveled in an RV. Nathan had put together a DVD of their journey and added music. They played the DVD, so I watched part of it. I talked to family members before leaving.

     It was 7:00 p.m. when I left. Paul had already eaten, so I got dinner for Ashton and myself. Of course, I wanted to eat with Ashton after a rough night. Still, I had difficulty sitting at the table without crying. I felt terrible because I could hug Ashton, but Shari could not hug Nathan. I went to the bathroom because I did not want to cry in front of him. I made it through dinner with a tear or two, but I don’t think he noticed.

     I went to bed early to cry—I cried so hard my face hurt.

 UWe don’t know our last day on earth. Are we living as though we are?U

"Just Like That"

 “‘Just Like That’”

The phrase just like that came to mind a few times when my friend Shari’s 18-year-old son, Nathan, was killed in a wreck on August 11, 2013.

I did not know him personally. He was an intelligent kid—talented in technology. He’d helped at church and other places with lights and sound. He graduated high school and would have started college the following week. 

He spent much of the day at church functions the day he died. After taking his girlfriend home that evening, his truck veered into a ditch and hit a culvert. His vehicle overturned, and he suffered fatal injuries. 

Paul told me about his death while I was driving to Aunt June’s. I was near Shari’s house, made a U-turn, and diverted from my plans. Aunt June said it would be okay.

Many people were at their house when I arrived, but his parents were at the funeral home. I briefly stayed because it could be long before they came home—they had many decisions to make.

When I left their house, I went to help Aunt June. She needed me to go to the grocery store. I immediately stopped while passing the flower section—the flowers were stunning. I bought a bouquet for Shari.

I prayed for the Lord to give them grace, peace, and mercy throughout the day. My prayers changed when I returned to their house that afternoon. I prayed for the Lord to provide me with abundant strength.

My new “job”

Uncle Jim and Aunt June had picked out a nice two bedroom apartment at a retirement facility to live in before he passed away.  Ever since Uncle Jim died, Aunt June needs someone to help care for her because she has Parkinson’s disease. 

One of her daughters asked me if I would like to be a part-time caregiver for her.  There are four of us, and I do whatever she needs me to do.  I take her to the grocery store, shopping, and take her dog to the vet. The two things that are especially designated to me are to do her medicines each week and do her hair.  I kinda think it is funny that I do her hair.  I wash it, blow dry it, and curl it.  I was a tomboy when I was younger, and  I don’t think I have ever used a curling iron in my life!