We Will Remember...A Tribute

Ah, it is one of my favorite kind of days, easing into the day. For the first time in about a week I don't have anyplace that I have to be. I may head to the grocery store in a little bit but I kind of doubt it. I'm sitting here at the computer with my coffee that I just made from my new French press. It's a little strong but it is good. Last week I stopped at the Bayou Bend Museum shop and got some Southern Pecan and Cinnamon coffee. It is delicious! Buddy has been a fixture on my lap these past few days. She is on my lap right now purring and vying for my attention. Of course I would love to think that she is doing this out of pure or purr love for me, but my common sense tells me she is just trying to stay warm. Well, maybe just for a little while, I will live in fantasy land and believe she cannot get enough of me.

Last night was such a memorable and special evening. Not because the Auburn Tigers had a last second win and that was very exciting, no it was a night to remember a friend who has been organizing heaven and the angels to process in an orderly processional for the past five years. Peggy read about a man who honored his friend who had passed on before him by inviting a few others to go and eat ice cream on his grave to celebrate his life. Now Peggy, she is one smart cookie seeing that she graduated from Baylor University, knew that eating homemade banana ice cream on a cold and blustery January day was not the way to honor this friend. Instead, she came up with a brilliant idea of hosting a small gathering of this loved one's friends and making their friend's favorite dishes for dinner. First I must expose the rumor that Peggy can't cook. She fixed a delicious dinner of chicken enchiladas, Mexican salad, frozen fruit salad but never got the recipe right on the lime ice tea. Everything was so enjoyable, I don't think one person missed the ice tea. For dessert there was the famous chocolate cake and home made banana ice cream. If you were still hungry and no one was, there were Snickers,Heath Bars, and queso and chips to help the hunger subside. Another first for Peggy, I believe this is the only time I have seen burnt orange and UT decorations in her home. WHOOP! (if non Aggies aren't supposed to do that I am truly sorry but as I am married to a LSU graduate, I'm not sorry about the Cotton Bowl) I mean sic em bears...

We settled ourselves in front of the TV to watch some videos from days gone by...but since none of us are very technological, we remembered and reminisced until we got to the part we had waited to see. What a fun way to pass the time. Peggy had made a trivia game about our friend's life. Then the stories came and I will never forget the impact of this friend's life on others and upon me. The stories covered all gamuts of life, trips, etiquette, adventures, camp shenanigans, choir, and well, just life. Many of those gathered have known our friend for years and even known her before she came to Houston when her husband was called to First Baptist. The evening reminded of the old hymn, "sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life." We were remembering and singing those words of life that she had imparted, generously poured out and graced our lives with.

I came late to know this friend and except for the fact that Peggy wanted me there, I doubt I would have been involved if anyone else had planned this fun and honoring affair. So I consider myself fortunate. Yesterday, as I thought about our friend, her life, and the moments that stood out for me, I could not help but think this. Although I didn't know her as well as the others there, I really did know her. Her life and legacy, her ideals, thoughts, graciousness, and love is being lived out by her friends and family. It is true, you can tell a lot about a person by the friends they keep. Just looking around the semi circle last night confirmed that thought. Here were people who had shared loss, joy, plans, fun...just had shared everything life had given them or thrown at them. Friendships of thirty and forty plus years. Many today can't even count on one hand the number of good, close friends they have. This is the one thing I'm concerned about for the younger generations, making friends and keeping them for a lifetime. Many consider friendship a luxury and something they don't have any time for. Make time! I love Facebook and email, texting and whatever other social media that is offered, but nothing is like face to face time and walking through joy and not so joyful times together. God knits and weaves lives together, always has. Look at David and Jonathan, Ananias and Sapphira (oops, not a good example),Paul and Silas, Peter and John Mark and Jesus with Peter, John and Andrew. That is some mighty good company to keep and to be influenced by. I think our beloved friend followed that example and pathway.

I Corinthians 16:16 The Message

I want you to honor and look up to people like that: companions and workers who show us how to do it, giving us something to aspire to.

Thank you friend, thank you Trevelyn Ray. Your life did and is still showing and being an example to those of us who remain behind but look forward to that day when we are all back together, with each other but more importantly with the Lord.