I found out today that an old friend had passed away. I was deeply saddened by his passing yes, but more saddened by the fact that I learned that he had cancer & had been sick in the hospital for some time. I could point fingers at this person or that, saying why didn't you tell me, but really, where would that get me now. I don't know why I didn't know, but wish I had. I would have sent him a card, written him a note, and visited him in the hospital. The inner torment of things we don't know until its too late.
He was my Sunday School teacher, my AWANA leader, and my friend. Every time I saw him he would tell this story about how as a kid me & my friend Tina had taken his shoes at this one event & hidden them in the mail box because we said they were so smelly. Its so silly to write, and a pretty ridiculous thing to do, something my 4 year old son would do now. He actually once told C that story, that his mommy had stolen his shoes once. That was probably the last time I saw him. Im sad because I hope he wasn't alone...I hope people told him that he had blessed their lives. I should have. His children lived far away, one was a missionary I believe, and I never knew his wife. He always seemed so sad & lonely in the later years after he stopped working with kids due to terrible, meddling, busy-bodied gossips. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but it was true. I don't think he ever got over that. It changed him. I wish now I could have told him thank you.
So perhaps it may be silly & a bit lame & far too late, but I will write my thanks here... Thank you Mr. Olmsted. Thank you for being the man of God & wonderful teacher that you were. You blessed the lives of so many, young & old, but young especially. "Thank you for giving to the Lord...I am so glad you gave."
No comments:
Post a Comment