For Good

I believe everyone's life and death hold a purpose. Today we said goodbye to Brenton Smith, a young man who graduated from Skyline High School two years ago and who left a lasting impression on his classmates and teachers, especially Jeff - his choir director. We spent several hours at a funeral and graveside service contemplating the meaning of his existence and his passing. We listened (and wept) as 40 choir kids sang "Because I knew you, I have been changed for good." We were touched by the strength of Brenton's father and the grace of his family who thanked each person for the support and love offered them. We heard testimonials about Brenton's patience and kindness - lessons he imparted to friends and family members. His death - in his sleep just two days after his 20th birthday - left many questions with seemingly no answers. Perhaps, though, the sudden taking of such a bright young man is God's reminder to the rest of us that life is precious, that we should not dwell on the mundane, trivial, meaningless things so much as focus on what is important - family, friends, leaving the world a better place than we found it. Perhaps, too, his passing is a reminder that life is fragile and uncertain, that no one is guaranteed tomorrow so we should make something of today. With these thoughts weighing on our minds and hearts, Jeff and I hurried home to our own bright star and counted our blessings that all is well with the ones we hold most dear even as we grieved for Brenton's parents. What we did with the rest of the day - where we went, what we had for dinner - is irrelevant. Only the fact that we did it together is of any consequence at all.