Live with Passion

I need to share this personal note with you and I hope you understand:

It has been a truely amazing week around here. Tuesday I received this beautifully awesome card from a fellow SU demo, convention buddy, and friend Maria G. in Florida.

Before I could get a TY email off; yesterday I learned of a tragic accidental shooting death of a young 24 y.o. friend who has grown up with my boys. Our two families have shared many wonderful times together and walked through the shadows, following the death of their mom, my best friend, three years ago, and now this tragedy befalls them. I praise and thank the Lord that they are a family of strong faith and hold them each up to Him for comfort and guidance.

The message on this card is so unbelieveably timely and a gentle reminder that we do indeed need to ‘live with passion’, and Keller Verett’s life exemplified that passion. He did when he spent two months in Africa with Light the Fire ministries, helping in the poorest African villages to bring music and encouragement to the children. He did when he stood with his three best friends and was awarded the Eagle Scout rank. He lived with passion as he drove a school bus to earn money for college. He lived with passion these last several years as a certified EMT helping other families in times of crisis or in the kindness of transporting an elderly loved one to a place of rest and healing. He lived with passion as he worked his way through Texas A & M graduating last month with his BS. Yes, he lived with passion as he was planning on what to do next, he just didn’t know that ‘next’ meant eternity.

I will never be able to see those words and not remember the wonderful, brief life that Keller Verett has lived. Our families will gather with so many others on Saturday to remember the wonderful passionate life that Keller has lived and celebrate his entry into eternity.