Remembrance

This weekend we went to the 26th Memorial Day, Armuchee Bluegrass Festival. Being Memorial Day and a time for remembrance, it brought to mind many friends we have met and the ones we have lost over the years.

But this year we have the pleasure to spend time with some wonderful friends that are like second parents to us. We played music with them for many years but they moved back to Kentucky to be close to their family and grandchildren and we only see them a couple times a year now. They inspire me. He is 85 and she is 81 and drove six hours from Kentucky to Armuchee. They still play music every day and he can still fiddle all those wonderful fiddle tunes I remember so well. They have had health problems, and faced the loss of their beloved daughter much to early. Yet they continue on. They face their pain and acknowledge it but do not let it define them. They have a wonderful family back in Kentucky and revel in their lives and shared the joy they have in the wonderful things happening with grandchildren and great grandchildren. I long to emulate them and live life to the fullest.

They are quick to point out that relying on God to provide their strength and get them through the valleys of life. It was wonderful to see them and to share the weekend with them. They were sad when they left but assured us they would be back in September for the Labor Day festival.

A precious memory I will treasure for a very long time, was when Carl met a man wearing a gold chain with an image of Christ. Carl walked up and said "I see we have a mutual friend." Then he proceeded to explain he loves Christ and depends on Him to make it through each day. At 85 years old he is full of life and wants to make sure others knows the Saviour he loves. What's my
excuse for not doing the same?