Sunday, July 24, 2011

SHE MADE A DIFFERENCE

I read an article several months ago about a man who had been found, I think by a postal worker. The gentleman had been dead almost a month.
What bothered me the most about this man was the fact that no one missed him for a month? I wondered at the time how alone he must have felt. People obviously weren't checking on him if no one realized he had died a month before.
My girlfriend Debbie and I were able to attend a memorial service yesterday for Shirley Furr. She would have been 98 on August 1.
I never had the opportunity to meet this lady. I've only know about her through her family. And yesterday, from many friends who came to celebrate her life.
This incredible lady wrote the program for her service. She picked out the scripture as well as the songs we were to sing.
One of the questions Pastor Breylinger asked us to think about was, "who will step to the plate now?"
She was a teacher and after her "retirement" she co-founded the Avon Park Community Child Development Center and served as President of the Center's Board of Directors until 1995.

According to most who knew her she was out spoken. Everyone knew her thoughts. She was a devout Christian and advocate for children.
What a legacy she has left.
And by contrast, I'm wondering about the gentleman at the beginning of this story. What legacy did he leave?
What legacy will I leave?
Rest now Shirley, I know where you are. And I know the Master is saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

6 comments:

Carol Ann said...

Lovely post. So many people pass through our lives on a daily basis, leaving an imprint or not. I hope as I continue through this journey on earth that I leave a legacy of love behind. Thanks for the thought provoking reading.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol Ann,
You have left not a thumb print, but an entire "hand-print" on my heart! I miss you my friend.
Hugs
Katt

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

The man may have died alone, but God's angels were there to greet him.

Lovely post, Katt. Truly touching.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy,
I think what touched my heart so was the fact that no one realized he had died for a month. Then it was a postal worker, not a friend or family member. What a lonely life he must have led. Don't know why, but I thought about that man for months after reading his story.
Hugs to you my friend
Katt

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Strange I didn't see his life that way. I saw a man who enjoyed his alone time. He was content with the solitude. I've no way of knowing, of course, but I do know many people like him who enjoy the peace and quiet.

When our son Jack passed away in 1991, what gave me strength was hearing the story of a woman who lost all 4 of her children in a house fire. I decided if that woman could survive such tragedy, then I owed it to her to survive ours.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Joy,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
I am one of those people who enjoys solitude and peace.
Hugs and blessings to you my sweet friend.
Love you
Katt