An Unforgettable Memory

            *Ring* *Ring* "Lloyd's Electric, Lloyd here."  As I look back on the years since he passed away, I picture him by the gray desk that he so often occupied when he wasn't on a service call.   The desk is covered with papers and phone numbers, beckoning for someone to sort through all the bills and checks.  As he works diligently, scribbling down messages and notes, his work is interrupted by an anxious customer, desiring his assistance.  When he picks up the phone, he answers with his unforgettable greeting, anticipating their request.  His voice low and rough, yet friendly, he assures them that he will be with them as quickly as possible.  He grabs his jacket and heads for the big truck, set out to do the job that he does best.

            I sit in his big chair behind the desk with a book in my hand.  When I glance around, I take in the peace that fills the room and remember the man who slipped away from me like sand through my fingers.  As I think of that dreadful day, quiet teardrops begin to make their way down my cheeks, hitting his desk with a small splatter; wondering why that day had to happen at all.  The time passes slowly and I remember the shock that absorbed my body.            

            It was a cool day in October, the slight breeze rustling the leaves.  The trees were preparing for winter, sending a warm and friendly goodbye with their radiant and bright colors.  As my sisters and I enjoyed our day at what seemed like our second home, Dad walked in and brought us into the office.  We wondered what was going on as he left us for a brief moment only to return after a few minutes with a sorrowful expression and bloodshot eyes.  The words that spilled out of his mouth left us with the feeling that we were in a nightmare.  He told us what had happened; everyone stood still, not knowing what to say or do.  As reality set in, Whitney took a seat on Dad's lap, crying in his arms as she realized what was going on.  

"But he was going to take us fishing, Dad."           

His reply assured me that he would take me fishing someday.  I know that it wasn't important, but it seemed so at the time.  I probably felt the need to say something to lighten the mood, but nothing was going to lift anyone’s spirits anytime soon.  It took me a while to fully grasp the realness of the situation, but as the pastor came and relatives filed in, what used to be a blur became very clear- Grandpa was gone and wasn’t going to come back. 

            Over the next few days, I slowly began to put my life together again, following my regular routine.  This time, however, there was a piece of me that was missing and I knew I wasn’t going to find it.  The very last time I got to see him was at the funeral and as I looked at his lifeless body, I wanted so desperately to ask him, “Why did you have to go?” 

I longed to tell him that I loved him, but I knew that I wouldn’t get any response.  After the service, I sat under a small tent on a steel chair.  My sisters and I took our turns picking out a flower from his casket and received a purple ribbon with the word “Grandpa” on it.  It was as if we were able to have something that served as a remembrance of him; something we could take before he was finally lowered into the ground.  But like all flowers, my precious rose didn’t live forever.  It eventually wilted and died, leaving me with only memories.

            Though I know he is no longer present with me, the memory of his love and compassion remains imprinted on my heart forever.  He has impacted me greatly; his kindness and gentleness reminds me to love my neighbors and put others first.  Though I desperately wish that he was with me right now, I can't help but wonder what my life would be like if Grandpa had never even stepped foot in it.  I learned that you can, in fact, influence those around you by your words and actions.  Today, a little over seven years since Grandpa’s death, I still have people telling me of what a great man he was- brave, generous, loving, kind, and many other things.  He has taught me so much even though he was only with me for a short period of my life.

            So as I sit here in his chair, I wipe away my tears and pray for a change of heart; a heart that will impact the world like my Grandpa did.  I get up and head out the door, flicking the lights out as I go.  I walk to the car and take a seat next to my Grandma.  As I glance her way, I begin to admire her for the way she handled his passing.  She knew that her husband was in a better place and stayed strong in her faith.  While driving on the gravel road, I pray for the same strength that she has, the strength to move on and remain thankful to God. 

The car slows as we reach our destination.  I grab my flowers and head up the hill to his final resting place.  Laying down the flowers and holding back the tears, I tell him that I love him.  The wind blows through my hair as I sit and reminisce about his memory.  It’s time to go and I leave the cemetery, realizing just how much he changed my life.  Finally I smile, knowing that he is in the right place and that when I get to heaven, I will get to see his face once again.                 

The Death of Christ

            Almost a month ago, we celebrated Good Friday- the day that Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  Easter Sunday was also a day of remembrance; one that made us stop and think about his resurrection from the dead.  We took the time to remember what Jesus Christ did for us in order for us to obtain eternal life.  Most of us are blessed to know that Jesus did, in fact, die for us to take God’s punishment and on the third day, rose from the dead.  However, some have the misfortune of being led to believe that this is a myth.  There are different misconceptions floating around and upon learning about a few of them, I found this one rather interesting; not because it is easy to believe, but quite the opposite.  In fact, there are many aspects of the death of Jesus that clearly show that this theory is, well, a little off.  Though we are sure that Jesus died, people who agree with this belief, know Jesus to be one that never really died but merely fainted and was revived by the coolness of the tomb that he was buried in.  This idea is often referred to as the “Swoon Theory.”

            Along with going against what the Bible says, this assumption doesn’t agree at all with medical science.  When Jesus was crucified, his body was in the most terrible condition, it could be considered insanity to think that he could have survived.  Before his death, he was beaten… scratch that… he was scourged.  The whip that crossed his back 39 times contained tiny bits of metal or glass that were meant to rip through the skin.  These beatings were so severe, his muscles were in shreds and his skeleton was clearly visible.  The crown of thorns that was placed on his head was able to tear through a scalp.  Many people died from this torture alone.

            So, as you can see, his body was already severely damaged even before he was on the cross.  When he was hung on the cross, the nails went through his wrist; this action dislocated his shoulders and demolished his median nerve.  Destroying this nerve resulted in extreme pain and an immediate inability to move the arm.  As he hung there, he had to use the nails in his feet to support him in order to avoid suffocation.  His blood drained from the wounds on his body, making his heartbeat more rapidly with every passing second.  With his heart pumping faster, he struggled to gasp air, adding to his pain.  Since his body was losing so much blood in a short amount of time, he was in need of water to produce more blood.  His body was so low on blood that there was a very miniscule amount of oxygen left in him.  This lack of oxygen caused his heart to burst, filling his chest with liquid.  When the soldier pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water flowed out of his body.  This separation of the blood and water signified that his heart had indeed stopped working.

            There is much more evidence that Jesus had, in fact, died; there were a great amount of witnesses that proclaimed his death.  Also, when he was buried, his body was tightly wrapped in cloth and the stone that closed the tomb was too large for any one man to open by himself.  Now, because Jesus is also 100% God, he would have been capable of doing all these things that would have allowed him to save himself, but to pay for our punishment, his death was necessary.

            Some argue that the Romans could have been mistaken when pronouncing the end of Jesus Christ.  There have been some instances in which slow and shallow heartbeats have been mistaken for death- this very well could have happened.  However, the conditions of Jesus’ body clearly show that his destruction was for sure.  Not to mention that the Bible tells us that he did pass away. 

            Though Easter is the time in which we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, we are to celebrate the Easter story every day of our lives.  Because he did, in fact, die for us and rise again, he overcame death.  Through this victory we can have life… life everlasting.

Whitney

            One night, during Christmas break, my sisters and I were watching a movie. We started it very late so our parents were in bed by the time the movie was over. After the movie was done, Nicole proceeded to go to bed while Whitney and I brushed our teeth. When I was finished brushing my teeth, Whitney asked me how first semester was going. I explained to her the troubles I was facing and our little chit-chat turned into a conversation that probably lasted over an hour. I asked her how Letourneau was treating her and she told me of the problems she was having. We laughed and cried as we shared our recent school experiences. I said to her “We’ve been standing in the bathroom for nearly an hour and we’re both teary-eyed.” I think I was surprised with myself because I don’t normally express my emotions in the same manner we did that night. Afterwards, she simply told me “Natalie, this is what sisters do.”

        Shortly after she said that to me, I realized that she was absolutely right. Not only were we able to be honest with each other about what we had been facing, we had the opportunity to encourage one another. I know this experience was good for me and I think it would be safe to say that Whitney would agree with me. We hadn’t seen each other in almost four months and to be honest, I don’t know that anyone else would have been able to understand what I had told Whitney. I had bottled up my emotions for so long and when I talked with her, I knew I would be able to spill them all out. Most of all, she was willing to listen to me and I was willing to listen to her and I think that we both greatly appreciated one another for that.

            I know that Whitney will always be there for me when I need someone, but not only is she a great friend who supports me, she is an excellent role model. She always did well in her studies at school and as I watched her go through high school, I learned that grades were important to her. Seeing her excel in so many areas made me want to be like that. She was a good student and tried her best in everything that she did. When I saw how she studied and made school one of her top priorities, I realized that God's will for me right now is to be a good student. My job is to go to school and learn more about the world that he created. I must honor and glorify him while I am doing the job that I was cut out to do. 

            Another thing that she taught me was that life isn't always going to be easy and that in all things we need to have faith that God will guide us. Whitney endured some hard times during high school and I know that sometimes she felt like giving up, but she never gave up. She put her trust in God and persevered through it. 

            Throughout our lives, I have watched Whitney make some accomplishments. Before her senior year in high school, she went to all-state band. She had the opportunity to play in Duluth and Orchestra Hall in the Twin Cities along with students from all over the state. She was valedictorian in her class and maintained a 4.0 throughout junior high and high school. She has obtained many scholarships for college and was named to the president's list at Letourneau University. She has gotten her private pilot's license and has even taken me for a few rides.  Through all of these achievements, Whitney taught me to never give up and to chase after my

dreams.           

            Sometimes I can’t help but marvel at what a genius our Creator is. I don’t know what I would do without Whitney; I don't know what I would do without any of my family. All I know is that God put Whitney in my life for a reason and that I am incredibly grateful for her presence in my life. So I dedicate this essay and the time and effort that went into it to celebrate my sister.  I hope that everyone can experience the joy of Whitney as I do; for she truly is a magnificent part of God's creation.