James Did Good.
It's the little moments from these past few days that will stay with me. The glimpses I caught as I was surrounded by so many people gathered together for one purpose: to mourn and grieve the loss of James Bidgood.
The 6 kids of varying ages and families chasing each other through the crowd at the Town Hall reception as the grown-ups talked. The candles sitting in sand on the drink table, the mother consoling her crying daughter, the moose and deer mural on the stage, the beards, the juice boxes.
I'll remember the 3 little girls who had their hair braided to match each other, and how it made 2 of those 3 feel connected to the one who just lost her father.
I'll remember the stories recounted of 10 year old buddies who went camping with relish sandwiches and saw the Northern lights together for the first time.
I'll remember stopping into the Community Care center to find out its second-hand clothing is half off every last 3 days of the month, just to be extra helpful to those who are in need.
That's the kind of place Norwood is, and the whole town is grieving the loss of an important member of the community.
I'll remember what it feels like to cry in a room with 700 other people crying as well. I'll remember the sound of those same people laughing too, at tribute jokes that were made because James would have wanted some laughter at his funeral. He never wanted anyone to suffer.
These things will stay in my mind, but this is not where the story ends.
When a young person dies, it forever alters the lives of all who knew them. It makes the impact of their life that much more significant.
We don't know when our time will be to go, but what we do know is that the time we have now is precious. And were we to all take a page out of James' book, we would treat each other with the utmost respect and love. We would follow our calling and pursue it with passion and belief in ourselves. We would raise people up when they feel down, we would help when help is needed, we would send love out into the world and let it come to us just the same. We would build together, instead of tearing each other down. We would see endless potential in others, and we would help them to see it in themselves. We would live our life to the fullest and be present in each moment.
This is not where the story ends. That book, James' book, will continue to be written by all of us, we who now carry his story in our hearts, and we who will approach our lives a little better because of him.
My salvation lies in your love -Alexi Murdoch,
Katie
The 6 kids of varying ages and families chasing each other through the crowd at the Town Hall reception as the grown-ups talked. The candles sitting in sand on the drink table, the mother consoling her crying daughter, the moose and deer mural on the stage, the beards, the juice boxes.
I'll remember the 3 little girls who had their hair braided to match each other, and how it made 2 of those 3 feel connected to the one who just lost her father.
I'll remember the stories recounted of 10 year old buddies who went camping with relish sandwiches and saw the Northern lights together for the first time.
I'll remember stopping into the Community Care center to find out its second-hand clothing is half off every last 3 days of the month, just to be extra helpful to those who are in need.
That's the kind of place Norwood is, and the whole town is grieving the loss of an important member of the community.
I'll remember what it feels like to cry in a room with 700 other people crying as well. I'll remember the sound of those same people laughing too, at tribute jokes that were made because James would have wanted some laughter at his funeral. He never wanted anyone to suffer.
These things will stay in my mind, but this is not where the story ends.
When a young person dies, it forever alters the lives of all who knew them. It makes the impact of their life that much more significant.
We don't know when our time will be to go, but what we do know is that the time we have now is precious. And were we to all take a page out of James' book, we would treat each other with the utmost respect and love. We would follow our calling and pursue it with passion and belief in ourselves. We would raise people up when they feel down, we would help when help is needed, we would send love out into the world and let it come to us just the same. We would build together, instead of tearing each other down. We would see endless potential in others, and we would help them to see it in themselves. We would live our life to the fullest and be present in each moment.
This is not where the story ends. That book, James' book, will continue to be written by all of us, we who now carry his story in our hearts, and we who will approach our lives a little better because of him.
My salvation lies in your love -Alexi Murdoch,
Katie
That was so moving and beautiful...what a wonderful tribute to James and all that knew and loved him.
ReplyDeleteDonna and Jack
Perfect. As one of those young boys who discovered the Aurora Borealis while peeing over 20 years ago I can tell you that it was a special time. Our lives are filled with a lot of them. However, I must agree, something very incredible happened Friday in our little town. James deserved the celebration he received and I tip my hat to all who attended. I know he would have approved.
ReplyDeleteJason Alexander