Bobby-Echo Living

Yesterday one of my dearest, long-time friends had to bury her Daddy.  He was kind, funny, Godly, friendly.  He was just about whatever you would want to be called.  I do not remember ever hearing anyone say anything bad about Bobby. He was a long time preacher, unashamed to proclaim the word of God.  

He loved his family desperately.  There are four athletic children in that family and now athletic grandchildren.  Along with their mom, Bobby was his children's and grandchildren's biggest cheerleader. I would venture to say that he spent as much time on a bleacher as he did in a recliner or a pulpit.  If he had one playing or coaching, he and Nancy were there.

He had the most precious laugh and he laughed a lot. I like those kinds of people.  The world is a little less sweet because there is no longer a Bobby Marks living among us. Amidst the hatefulness of this time in our world, with evil abounding and causing divisions to be even deeper than before, we need more Bobbys in this world; kind people with big hugs and strong faith.

Funerals always put me in a reflective mood.  I always wonder how I will be remembered.  Some say these kinds of thoughts are of no consequence and wasteful because you'll be gone and never know what was said about you. I disagree.  What is said about you is a reflection of the love you shared while on God's big blue planet.  If you were loved and you loved in return, your love will echo through time.

If you've read my first novel you know that the phrase "A life well lived is a sacred echo" is very important in my life and in that book.  When I think of of Bobby he indeed had a life well lived and his sacred echo will reverberate for many years to come.  His love for his family will echo through time.  His love of sports will continue its echo through his children and grandchildren.  His faith will certainly continue its blessed, sacred echo.

So I do wonder whenever I slip into theses reflective moods after a loss, how will I be remembered?  I believe its worth our time to ponder these things.