Remembering A Friend

Today I remember a friend who passed away seven years ago. That day will forever be etched on my mind—the day we found out that Kevin had passed away. I watched as those closest to him and to me took it all in. Kevin was a fairly new friend of mine back then so while I was hurting so much over what had happened, I couldn't begin to imagine how much pain my friends were experiencing. As the years have gone by, I have tried not thinking about that day because it would hurt too much, but now as I think back on it all I am filled more with the wonderful memories I have of him. 

Because of the many great friends we had in common, Kevin and I had just started getting to know each other. He was a bit shy, but very funny once he finally started opening up a bit around me. We used to get into these car-tagging wars that were pretty entertaining. I wish I had pictures of the different things we wrote on each other's cars, but I'm not sure I took as many pictures back then as I do now. One time, I think he even left me a card on my car. It was a Harry Potter birthday card with the birthday part scratched out and Thursday written in—Happy Thursday! (I'm pretty sure it was Kevin who gave me that but it might have also been Alicia. She'll have to correct me if I'm wrong. They both knew how much I loved Harry Potter—still do!) Kevin even signed my yearbook multiple years as Harry Potter. I had to give him a hard time about it for a while so he would actually sign my yearbook as himself, but I did love having a Harry Potter signature in my yearbook. If only my school was as cool as Hogwarts! :)

I remember the week before his accident jamming to "Gold digger" in Ryan's car on our way to see either Step Up or Talladega Nights. I think we actually saw both of those movies that week. The guys all left the theater after Step Up yelling, "Skinny's dead, Skinny's dead"—a part of the movie they found entertaining. 

I wish I had another picture of Kevin to post, but unfortunately this is the only one I could find at my new apartment. Most of my old high school pictures are at my parents' house on their computer. But this was the thing to do back then—taking feet pictures—so I guess it's appropriate. This was one of the nights before his accident when we all went to McDonald's and hung out. It was a lot of fun! 

Kevin, you are still sorely missed. You were a sweet, funny, caring guy. I miss our car-tagging wars, going to movies, jammin' in the car, and hearing your jokes (I still remember the one you made up just for me). I hope you are rockin' it out up in heaven. Know that your family is prayed for by me so much! I know they miss you most of all. 

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And here I would like to share the passage of Scripture that got me through this tough time. It reminded me that God is still good and He has a plan. God still loves us. Even when we're hurting and may not understand why something has happened, God is still there. This passage gave me hope. It helped me see beyond what was happening to the hope we have in Him.

"Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth,' for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

-Revelation 21:1-4

If you are going through something similar right now, I hope you will take some comfort in knowing that this world isn't all there is. God has made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. And one day we will be with God in heaven and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. That is such a beautiful picture of what we as believers have to look forward to. I pray that you would accept His gift as well and take comfort in knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. There are a lot of bad things that happen in this world that we don't always understand because we live in a broken world, but in the midst of it all, God is still good, all the time. 

 The Dill

8-12-89   8-21-06