Goodbye to Friends

       It seems as if this the season to be saying goodbye to the people I know and love. Heaven must be in need of some amazing people. First, to my Friend Corbyn Lowe who I shared a small childhood friendship at the camps we'd see each other at. Corbyn was full of energy, kind of like my sister Sarah. He wore a smile that lit anyone's face up and played as hard as any boy could. He never took it easy one me when we were kids, challenged me to do things, and made sure I knew he liked me. Corbyn became an actor as he got older and was really good. He recently got in touch with me on Facebook and we talked a little bit about our lives and the changes that have taken place sense we had last seen each other. To say the least of his last days on earth, it was to my knowledge that he was bullied and has been bullied most of his childhood. There is only so much abuse one can take from another, before it becomes so unbearable that you can't even live with yourself. So to all those reading this post, please remember that words have meaning, they have power, they effect those around you who hear them, words can build us up and encourage us, but they can also tear us apart. Do not let your words tear a person apart, and the next time you speak, think twice about what you are saying to the human in front of you. There is never an appropriate reason to take your own life, no matter how hard it is, but this young man with so much potential, saw no more use of his life. Fair well to you my friend and thank you for being apart of my life for a short time.
       To the man who thankfully had a longer life on this earth, however died of sickness. He battled sickness for most of his life. I first met this man and his wife at my church, Community Bible Chapel. Although I was not too close to this man, he had a major impact on my life in ways I cannot explain in a blog post. Without him, I would not be where I am today. Fair well and thanks you sir for playing such a huge role in my life. May you rest in peace, without suffering or pain at the right hand of your Lord and Savoir.
        To my distant young friend who died in a car accident. Although I did not know you in person, I heard much about you, and our parents love each other. I heard of all the things you had been successful in and all the goals you had still yet to achieve. You are now with God, enjoying piece and comfort from your Creator.
         To My Ski trip instructor and friend who lived a fairly long and active life, in the mountains of Colorado. I met Clint at Winter Park Colorado, where I quickly got know him and spend lots of time with him, as he and another man were my Ski instructors. For 4 days of skiing down mountains and doing things I was always told I couldn't, Clint was apart of my great accomplishment! I learned that even after leaving Colorado, he took interest in my life and all the many other accomplishments I had yet to do, as did many other instructors at Winter Park. He would truly enjoy receiving emails from me, as I would try to send him updates on a monthly basis. In return, he'd send me images of the beautiful mountains in Colorado and update me on the things him and his wife had done. By the grace of God I was invited back again to the ski trip, where I got to have Clint again as my ski instructor. Emails have continued to be sent back and forth on updates of each others lives. However, it was the last email I sent which he never saw. I was informed that two months prior, Clint passed away due to cardiac arrest after on of his biking trips, where as his wife said it best, "surrounded by gorgeous fall colors and outstanding temperatures." I'm grieved to know that I will not see this man on earth again and he will not have the pleasure of reading my emails. I am put to ease knowing that he is with his Creator, with no pains of this world, and enjoying the beauty that Heaven holds, which is greater than here on earth. I will continue to send updates to his email, knowing that his wife will be there to read every word I write, as she truly enjoyed hearing the updates Clint use to share with her! Thank you for being apart of my life for a short time and my condolences to your family.

Clint and I.

So to all those out there, who have or about to spend time with family over the holidays, please treasure every moment you have with them, hold them tight and "make every Heartbeat count!!"-Clint's Wife Julie.

Erika M.