Mourning the death? Or celebrating the life?

Many times in our lives, we are going to be faced with one overwhelming facet of the human life, the shortness of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow. Every day, we go out and expect to be back later that day, or night.

For two people I know, that was simply, untrue. Nathan Vaupel, age 29, was killed last week when he was involved in a head on collision in Indiana. He had led a rich life at his church and school, being easy to like and get along with, and also being the most likely person to end up in a video following one crazy idea or another. Being one of the top people in Highland Park Baptist Church's tv ministry, he also was well liked by his superiors and coworkers.

Horace Smith, my Great Uncle, was killed yesterday in a collision with a truck while crossing the street. While he may have had a bumpy relationship in the past with those around him, he never faltered on one thing: He would never sacrifice the safety of his mother for anything. He counted her as important to protect as the president, and went to great lengths to ensure that she led an enjoyable existence, as limited by age as she might have been. Since he received treatment for his epilepsy, he had undergone a transformation from a person with very few goals in life to someone who wanted to start contributing to the community around him. He was waiting for the time limit the doctors had set on his disability to be lifted so that he could return to work, even if that work was at Wal-Mart.

What far too many people do now is get so bogged down in the death of a friend or loved one that they forget the most important thing that person meant to them in life, the memories and experiences shared with the person. We have all been blessed with the chance to be involved in the life of the people around us. The fact that we grieve for our loved ones is proof that we shared an important connections with them.

I know from experience that this is never easy, but it is doable. And for those of us who know someone who has lost a loved one, we need to be there to help however may be needed.

En el amor interminable de Cristo,
WIlliam "Billy" Sculley