The congregation was small, and it was composed of mainly older people. Our "job" would be helping with the bus ministry that went throughout the neighborhood and projects. The bus ministry brought many children and teenagers to worship from a world where few knew much about God or Jesus. I never will forget one of the children -- Harvey! When we were talking about the birth of Jesus, a statement was made about Jesus being the "king". Harvey innocently asked, "Like Elvis?"
One of the first families that we met at Eastview was the Bradley family -- Allen, Mary, Kelly, Mary Beth and Chuck. They were an awesome young family, and they would become such an important part of our ministry time there. Their oldest daughter, Kelly, was an amazing young woman. As a 7th grader, when we met her, she was confident, outgoing and beautiful. Her long, blonde tresses fit her perfectly. She immediately became "one of my girls," so excited to help in the planning and details of my upcoming wedding. She was all about bringing a busload of inner city kids and other church friends to that wedding a few months later. She was almost as excited about my wedding day as I was.
As life happened, we left Eastview, and we began other chapters of our lives. We kept in contact with the Bradleys for a while, learning that Kelly was a David Lipscomb High School, and then college, and the law school. Our paths didn't intersect often, but the love for them never left our hearts.
With the invention of facebook, Mary and I reconnected. It was a great experience getting back into each other's lives -- and the talk of getting together for dinner just to talk about old times. Again, as life happened, that never occurred. Mary passed away suddenly about three years ago. During Mary's service and visitation, Kelly and I again reconnected. Messages back and forth on Facebook again, trying to offer encouragement to her after Mary's death. Again -- plans to get together for dinner -- soon. We all do this -- we plan to do things; plan to make things right; plan to spend more time with those we love.
Well, life happened again last week. Kelly, dealing with health issues for a long time, simply went to sleep. She simply did not wake up. Her body, her spirit and her mind -- just tired. So today, friends and family will meet to celebrate her life. They will celebrate her spirit. They will celebrate her smile. They will celebrate the love that she has for Eric, and her two precious sons. They will celebrate the love she has for her daddy, Allen, and the loss she felt constantly for her mother, Mary. They will celebrate the extremely close relationship and care she has for her sister, Mary Beth. They will celebrate the love she has for her little brother, Chuck. They will celebrate the love she has for everyone she meets. They will mourn the fact that Kelly is no longer here, but they will celebrate the fact that she remains -- in all of our hearts. Her sweet little boy told someone this week, that although his mommy is gone, she is still here in his heart. How true. That love never goes away, and we know that it is just a temporary separation.
So today, I could not be with her friends and family for her memorial service because of other commitments; but I wanted to stop for just a moment and remember Kelly -- that beautiful, little girl who captured my heart so many years ago. Yes, life happened, but anyone who knew Kelly will never forget her. Kelly's life happened -- and we are the better for it. Heaven is only brighter today, with her light, energy and enthusiasm there. She will always be that young, beautiful girl in my mind, and I will always love her dearly!
Prayers and love to all of the Bradley/Clark family from the Sweets.
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