A Simple Life
February 19th, 2008“…today of all days, it is brought home to me: It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life” - J.R.R. Tolkien.
No two things bring people together quite like weddings and funerals. Such was the case for me today as I had the unhappy occasion of attending the funeral of an old high school friend. It was bitter sweet really. On the one hand we were all saddened by the unexpected loss of a good man cut down in the prime of life. On the other hand it was great to reconnect with old friends, faces from my past so young in my memory now altered by the reality of the years.
One of the most amazing things about this funeral in particular was the crowd of people that showed up to mourn this man’s passing. The viewing was supposed to be last night from 6:00 until 9:00. I arrived at the funeral home around 6:45 traveling in from out of town. By then the line was already out the door and around the corner of the building. We stood in line in the cold for a full hour before entering. Once inside it was at least another hour and a half before we reached the family. We left the funeral home around 10:00 and the line remaining was still at least another hour. According to the funeral director it was by far the largest gathering that they had seen in the history of the funeral home.
About 1,100 people attended the funeral service today. With so many mourners one would think that the deceased must have been someone of great important. Surely he had some great accomplishment or contribution attributed to his name. But that was not the legacy of this man. He wasn’t eloquent or showy. He never held an office. In fact he never did anything in his entire life that would draw attention to himself. Rusty Snyder was simply a man who loved God and loved people and in so doing brought honor to the Lord.
As we reminisced about Rusty’s life, what a blessing it was to recall all of the kids whose lives he had influenced coaching soccer or softball or basketball. What an encouragement it was to rejoice in his 28 years of children’s ministry as an AWANA Sparks leader. How awesome it was to remember the love he had for his family, his lovely wife and three daughters. As I said it was bitter sweet. For while we were saddened by our loss, it was such an encouragement to be reunited with old friends and acquaintances reliving precious memories. May we be so fortunate as to leave behind such a legacy of the power of God wholly demonstrated in a simple life.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am
[...] The Salty Peanut Gallery wrote an interesting post today on A Simple Life
Here’s a quick excerpt
As we reminisced about Rusty’s life, what a blessing it was to recall all of the kids whose lives he had influenced coaching soccer or softball or basketball [...]
February 20th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Thanks, Don, for those timely remarks.
I’ve linked them on my blog.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Don,
Thank you for honoring my brother with your words here. As much as I hated the reasons, it really was nice to connect with some old friends. And for the record, your infectious smile has somehow managed to get bigger and brighter through the years. Keep smiling. We need it.
Mike
February 21st, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Mike,
It was an honor for me to share your brother’s testimony. Thanks for stopping by. I’ve missed you my friend. The reason for the smile is that you always seem to know how to make me laugh. I’m so glad we got the chance to reconnect this week, even for just a few moments. I’ll be praying for God’s comfort for you and your family. Good luck with your book. I’m gonna read it and tell you how I like it. I know it’ll be good.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Don,
Your words are so true. Thanks.
MB
February 21st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
You’re welcome, Mary Beth. I was hoping you’d stop by.
February 22nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Don,
A touching tribute, and one that reveals to us all what is important — touching people, individually, one at a time.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Don. I haven’t chatted with you or Byron or any of you guys for years. That’s definitely been my loss.
And to Rusty’s family, my prayers are with you. I cannot imagine the grief and sense of loss you are feeling. Rusty was a good, good man.
John
February 24th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Thank you Don, for your kind words about Rusty. It was a “bitter/sweet” time for many of us. It was so good to see Sherry and the girls at Shenandoah today. They are a testimony to us all in their strong faith. Rusty sat an excellent example for them to follow.
God bless
Barbara Shelor
February 25th, 2008 at 10:58 am
John and Barbara,
You’re so welcome. John it’s been too long, man. Great to hear from you after all these years. Barbara, I’m so glad I got to see you, Mary Beth, Donna and David. It was just like old times. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the events of last week. Hope all is well. Blessings to you all.