Some People . . .

Some people come into our lives, and our lives are never the same.  There are some people that we meet in life that we never forget.  Although our paths do not cross often, and our lives are not closely entwined, the spirit of friendship remains.  Shared laughs, shared heartaches, good times, sad times – all of these things make up the journey of life that we all travel daily.  In today's world of social media, lives are able to cross more frequently.  Old friendships are renewed, and paths often re-cross.

The older that I get, the more I realize that very little in this life is the result of chance.  As you realize that you are now further into that earthly journey, sometimes it is with heartfelt amazement that you look back over the roads taken.  Roads that somehow you found yourself on – not really certain how that even happened.  Lipscomb University was such an important part of my life.  Thinking it would be basically grade “13,” after graduating from high school across campus, it was so much more.  Life long friends and relationships; common ideals and beliefs; new thoughts and processes as we all entered adulthood and learned to stand on our own.  Of course, my greatest treasure there was finding my best friend, my soul mate, with whom I have now spent almost thirty years of marriage. 

Jeff, hailing from North Carolina, was and is the best thing that I received from my years at Lipscomb.  All of the friends and family that I found through him have truly blessed my life.  So many of those worlds have intertwined and co-mingled through all of those years.   Jeff’s friends and family from Carolina Bible Camp have been such a blessing in our lives.  Those bonds of childhood into young adult hood into (now) more mature adulthood transcend the miles – and even life. 

Our association and life partnering with families with children with special needs have also been such a blessing in our lives.  This is not part of life’s journey that we would have necessarily chosen.  This is another one of those areas of life, where there are few answers to the resounding questions, “Why?” or “Why us?”  For whatever reason, we were chosen to parent a child that will never fully be independent in this life.  Katie will always depend on us or others for some of the simplest things that many of us take for granted.  Many would see that as such a burden, and there are days when Jeff and I are discouraged and ask those questions.  This is where the support of other families in similar situations gives us strength to continue. 

Such a family has been the Woodhouse family in Raleigh, NC.  Barry was a long-time friend of Jeff’s from CBC.  I met Barry at LU.  Barry’s outgoing personality and hilarious attitude on life drew you to him the moment you met him.  His precious wife, Paula, has always complimented Barry in such a remarkable way.  Parents of three beautiful daughters, Barry and Paula have shown us the true example of true Christ-like spirits.  One of their beautiful daughters was born with some special needs.  Barry and Paula have tirelessly worked as advocates throughout her life.  Barry has spoken across the country on subjects, revolving around the special needs community.  They began a tremendous special needs ministry at the Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh, NC.  They have been astute in showing the love of Christ, to some of God’s children who need it the very most.  

Barry, at age 53, passed away suddenly a few days ago, following a massive heart attack.  Why?  Why Barry?  Why was such a dear, Godly man taken away from his family?  Why will he never realize how truly special he was?  Why will Barry’s daughters – especially Melissa – never fully understand all of the “whys” associated with a life gone much too soon?  A celebration of Barry's life was held today in North Carolina.  I can only imagine that there were many wonderful stories of Barry's impact, of Barry's attitude, of Barry's love for God, his family and life.  I can only imagine that there were tears shed -- not for Barry -- but for those who will have to live out the remaining days of this life without him.  No, Barry finished his race.  His prize is won.

Life is really like a mist.  We are here, but for a short while.  We need to use that time wisely.  It’s not about making the most money or climbing the corporate ladder.  Sure those things are part of it, but those things should not dictate the direction of our lives.  We need to live by honoring Jesus in our lives – every day and every way.  We need to let people know that they are important – all people – from society’s elite to society’s cast-outs.  We – and they—are all God’s children.  None of us are more important than anyone else. 

Some people come into our lives, and our lives are never the same.  Some people are only with us for a season, but they are all with us for a reason.  We don’t know what tomorrow holds.  Will we even have a tomorrow, here on earth?  We need to make every day count.  Starting today . . . in honor of Barry!