This morning I opened facebook to read that a High School classmate has passed away. My heart is heavy. I hadn’t seen Mark in many, many years. When Heather and I first got married, Mark lived in the apartment below ours. We’d often see him in the parking lot and wave as we walked by. We were in High School when the first pair of Air Jordans hit the stores. For fun, our entire gym class decorated our shoes to create our own “Air Whatevers.” Mark had a pair of knockoff “City Wings” made by Pony. He colored his and called them “City Woods.” They were, by far, the best in our gym class. It’s funny what you remember. We laughed that day, but today, it hurts.
Today it hurts because a wife is without a husband and children are without their dad. Today it hurts because the dreadful disease of cancer could not be cured. Today it hurts because a classmate, someone my age, has left us all too soon. Today it hurts for all those friends that are close to him that walked this journey by his side. This is not how this is supposed to be. This was never in our mind when we made our own Air Jordans. This was never on our mind when we’d pass and wave in the parking lot.
The statement I’m about to make probably breaks theological rules. I’m not even sure of the verse that supports it. The truth is that today it hurts. Today I looked for something to cling to. Today I needed for something to make the memory of Mark and all those I know (and don’t) that have left us too soon at the hands of a dreadful disease make sense. So this is where I landed. This is what I hope and in many ways, believe.
There is coming a day, when those that “lost their fight” to cancer will return. They will return with their Savior and King. They will return as warriors complete, whole and strong. It will be a day when all that doesn’t feel right will be made right. The score will be settled. Cancer, sin and evil will finally meet their match. Victory will be claimed and restoration of all that has been lost will be complete. This gives me hope.
But today….it hurts.
Aaron,
I Am So Sorry For The Loss Of One You Loved And Held Dear. May The God Of ALL Peace And Comfort Rest Upon You, As You Walk Through This Difficult Time And Have To Wonder Why…It Is Never A Place Where We Want To Be When We Have To Go And Say Our Final Earthly Goodbyes…Because “GOODBYE” Seems So Final…But If You Could Walk Past Mark’s Casket And Know That What You See Was Just His Earthly Home, Kind Of Like A Bird’s Cage…And God Came Along And Opened The Door And Set Him Free. This Can Be A Time Where You Can Just Say…See Ya Later My Friend…And Godspeed On Your Journey To That Better Place.
I Know That You And Heather Will Be A Beacon Of God’s Love To Mark’s Wife And Children As You Go And Pay Your Loving And Caring Respects To Mark And Support Them During This Difficult Time In Their Lives.
Our Prayers Are With You…Know That We Dearly Love You And Heather And Your Family. Again, I Am So Sorry For The Loss Of Your Friend Mark. I Pray That Jesus Will Fill You With His Love And Compassion For You As Your Heart Has Been Broken Over The Loss Of Someone Special.
Thank you BJ. I didn’t know Mark as well as many others did. I knew him in High School but haven’t had contact with him. I’ve been following the developments on facebook. Anytime someone passes of this horrible disease it brings back memories of those close to me that have also lost their battle. Thank you for your prayers. I know Mark is healed and whole now. My prayers go out to his family and those closest to him. Hard days ahead for them all.