Just got back from a beautiful memorial service for my dear long-time friend, Bernard DeLoach. What I loved most about the service is everyone dressed casual and mingled like any other social gathering. This made it more about celebrating his life than mourning, exactly as he would want to be remembered. One of his favorite things was eating Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and we all ate ice cream sundaes in his honor. Barney shared his experience with us on Facebook and a blog from the moment he received his diagnosis. And he did it with such humor (called “tumor humor”), grace, and style that his words captured the hearts of hundreds who never even knew him. Never once did I feel like he was complaining or burdening us with his pain. In fact, he functioned so well through it all that I didn’t even see the end coming. It was his steadfast faith in GOD that gave him the strength to live way beyond his prognosis. Early on, Barney and I clashed on some values and didn’t always see eye to eye on the GOD thing. Over the past year, we made a deeper connection and saw that GOD loves and lives within us no matter what. Through his miracles, big and small, he helped me see that GOD doesn’t give us anything we can’t handle, and that there is something real and tangible on the other side, always protecting and watching over us. All I can say is the outpouring of love and respect for this man from all over the world today was UNBELIEVABLE. I think of him every time I hear this song. It’s so timely and fitting, as if it were written just for him. Through love, pain, and every broken bone...this man LIVED to his last breath. And I decided I want to live what is left of my own life through his example. Thank you, my friend. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 02:20:02 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015