Death

I know this is a dismal post but isn't it all around us?

In June we hosted our 2nd annual MarDo Stay-cation which includes having our family at our house (MarDo) for the weekend. We basically play, eat, fellowship and just be. Several days before the weekend a former Caldwell student Justin Sharp, and good friend and classmate of the girls, took his life. Saturday of our Stay-cation was spent traveling to his funeral. It was a sad day.

Friday, September 28 we all safely arrived at Topsail Beach for a family beach trip. Saturday morning I'm checking my email and discovered our friend Keith Pruitt from Asheville took his life on Thursday night. His wife was a mentor for our girls when they lived in Gboro, and our fondness for them has remained over many years. The impact of his death is great.

32 years ago on October 30, my dad took his life. I will never forget the day nor the emotions that followed. Death is so final. It leaves a wake and a lifetime of questions for the survivors.

My thoughts go out to my friend Chris and her children as they bury their husband and father today. This side of heaven we don't know or can fathom the pain that drives a person to this act. We want to understand yet we most likely won't. It becomes a mark in our life.

I do know from my own walk that God will use this event, this loss for his glory. May God meet my friends during this sad and dark time. May their be glimmers of light and hope around the corner.