Ever since I heard the news yesterday about Heath's murder, I keep having flashbacks to hearing about Carter's death, Kent's death, seeing Bubba on the floor of the Trading Post... so many young men, taken from this world. I was driving down the road yesterday to Charlie's house when I found out that Heath was dead... and appropriately enough, the song "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry came on... it goes something like this "if I die young, bury me in silence, lay me down on a bed of roses, sink me in the river, at night, send me away with the words of a love song..." and while the best memories I have of Heath are from long, long ago - I know that I always considered him a friend, even if it had been months since we had seen or talked. I remember two years ago, hearing him on 99.3, for the CMN telethon. My kids, at Veritas, donated some money to the telethon and two of them got to talk to Heath on air. He made such a big deal out of them - he was just that way; he made a big deal out of everybody... like, he was always happy to see everyone and just live. And the way he played music, man... I remember the first time I heard him at Flip Flops. It was way after Alpha Chi, and after college even, after Heath had come back from Texas... he played with such joy, and sang...
Anyway. My heart hurts for the Jackson family and my stomach aches from Heath's sensless death. And I can't help but pray for the man who killed him. I pray that he is found, and brought to justice, but I also pray that he finds his way to the Lord. I think thats what Heath would have wanted - not that I know that for sure - but Heath didn't strike me as the kind of guy to hold a grudge. Even against the man who murdered him. I think thats the ultimate forgiveness.
Heath's legacy will always live on - just look at how many people are posting memorials on his facebook page. You can tell alot about a man by the kind of memorial he leaves behind, and Heath was one of the better ones.
Rest in Peace, Heath. We will miss hearing your voice, watching you play... but I know that you are singing and playing the guitar for Jesus, and that you are experiencing the greatest reward.
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