The crash on I-40 in eastern Tennessee on October 2 involved the bus from my childhood church, Front Street Baptist in Statesville, N.C. My aunt and uncle were on that bus, as were 16 other friends I have known for many years. Six of them died that day; my family survived. Truly the most tragic day I have ever known.
Of course, the humanity that ensues after something like that is as encouraging as the event is tragic. The Red Cross, donations, hospital staff, first responders, EVERYONE has been a gift from God with their presence and their help. Just as the horror is unspeakable, so was the kindness of thousands. I have no more words for any of it.
I attended the special service the following Sunday morning at Front Street. This is where Joby-the-grieving-for-his-childhood-church collided with Joby-the-professional-musician. I felt the sincerity among the congregation; I felt their pain, and I felt their support and their unwillingness to allow this horror to slow them down in their mission. But their MUSIC has changed from what I once knew. Out of respect for the congregation's grief, I'll not go further into that right now. But when a person like me enters into such a space for the first time in a while, he acknowledges ALL his thoughts and emotions, not just the ones everyone else has at the time. It was an enlightening moment.
But no matter. It's a new day, and for the first time since the unexpected death of my father in 2003, I have a renewed zeal for living life before I die. Some things are important, and others are not.
Nunc dimittis:
Barbara Morrison
Randy Morrison
Cloyce Matheny
Marsha McLelland
Brenda Smith
John Wright