We Do Not Remember Days, We Remember Moments

Do you remember where you were when?

JFK was shot
First successful heart transplant
First walk on the moon
Challenger blew up
Princess Diana died in a car crash
Plane crashed into the Pentagon
Twin towers fell
Mother Teresa died
Vatican elected Pope Benedict XVI
When a child dear to you was born?
When you lost someone you loved?

Who influenced you to be who you are today? Did you lose someone close to you? Did you take time to grieve them? I did. Here is my incomplete and saddly increasing list of people who influenced me that have now gone to be with Jesus:

Mark Brady - My father; who had been unresponsive for three days, yet hours before he died, he mouthed every word to "Amazing Grace" as it was sang to him at his bedside by his Sister-In-Law. He taught me how to have faith and to stand for your beliefs, no matter what.

Carlene Brady - My mother - who taught me how to live, how to love, how to laugh, how to pout, and how to die without fear.

Justin Kaylor - Friend of mine from school that was killed in a car wreck.

Brandon Collier - One of my closest friends from growing up. He was killed in a car wreck. I still remember the gold bracelet he wore in his casket.

Robin Revis - My cousin, whom everyone ridiculed for her lifestyle being a homosexual. She was killed in a carwreck in high school.

Jeff Revis - Robin's father, who grieved himself to death after losing Robin.

LeBron Maynerd - My next door neighbor who threw himself in front of a train and killed himself.

Brenda Freels - Neighbor murdered by someone close to her.

Julia Haywood - A dear friend of my sisters. A lovely woman who fought courageously and battled cancer and lost the battle a few years ago.

Mike Farr - My childhood pastor who just passed this week.

Mary Bob Clinton - A close family friend who passed unexpectedly while my mom was out of town. I remember waiting on my mom to fly in from Texas at the funeral home. She was one of my mom's dearest friends and I'm sure they've been gib gabbing since my mom got to heaven.

Nancy Stockdale - Girl Scout leader/mentor from my childhood. Passed unexpectedly from a horsing accident. I had so many "firsts" with her. She'll be forever in my heart.

Hazel Brady - My grandmother who was eccentric, a little silly, and loved to aggravate the grandkids by spitting her teeth out at them. 

S. H. Brady - My grandfather who I wish I had more memories of. I remember he had a great sense of humor and always smelled like freshly cut grass and chewing tobacco.

Billy Phillips - My uncle who had a heart of gold and loved me whole heartedly.

Sue Tate - My great aunt who sewed me a quilt when I was a child, that I will cherish forever.

Pamela Gallaher - Girl from high school who had mono and was not treated and her spleen ruputured. I'll always remember her smile - it was alway so sincere.

Larry Kindred - The husband of a dear friend of my mother's. He was someone extremely tender hearted and genuinely kind.

Maria Harrison - My best friend's mother, who fought breast cancer with every ounce of her body and passed away far too young.

I am writing this entry with a newspaper article in mind. Feel free to read it: They Quietly Serve