The older I get (and I'm not that old yet) the quicker time goes by. Five years ago I was attending my soon-to-be (at the time) sister-in-law, Kerry's, Bachelorette party. We were having a fun night with her college friends and had enjoyed some ice cream from a marble-slab type place when I received a phone call from my mom. My good childhood friend had been in a car accident and was at the hospital. Things weren't looking good. Kerry and I got in the car and she drove us back to Claremore. I had a CD in the car of some worship songs and I just remember over and over replaying the song by Casting Crowns, Praise You in the Storm. I sang and worshipped and cried as I wondered of the fate of my dear friend Lacy. She was only 19 years old, one year older than me. My mom didn't want me to go to the hospital that night even though I wanted to be there. She was probably right. It had only been three years since my cousin, Trevor, died in a car accident and being there at the hospital when they pronounced his death was very difficult to deal with. I arrived home and tried to get some sleep, all the while praying for Lacy and her family.
The next morning I got a phone call from Nathan. Lacy, Nathan, and I had grown up together in church and in school. Our parents were good friends and I was blessed to have so many fun memories of all of us together. It was so hard to hear from Nathan that Lacy had died. I don't think we said more than a few words on the phone, but just listened to each other grieve. I spent the next several days at Lacy's house with her parents and my best friend, Jessica, and her family. We gathered pictures of our sweet friend. Her infectious smile and fiery red hair in each photo was hard to resist. A true beauty. So many memories of birthday parties and sleep overs and boy talk. I will always remember Lacy as the young, vibrant, honest girl that she was while she lived on earth. I will never forget the way my life has been blessed from having her in it. Remembering Lacy helps me to treat each relationship with the utmost care.
Dear friend, I know you are in a much better place. What a beautiful legacy you have left in my heart. I do so hope my baby girl will have a friend like you.
