A Tribute
What is unconditional love? Unconditional love is a term that means to love someone regardless of their actions or beliefs. All of us try to have unconditional love for those who we care about, whether it is our mate, children, best friend, etc. I always ask myself is my love for my sister, parents, relatives, friends, is truly unconditional. We live in a fallen world, so is there such a person who TRULY has or have shown unconditional love?
I thought about this a lot today. Today was hard for me when I found out a sweet young man I know passed away unexpectedly. I think of Ian when I see or hear the term unconditional love....( yes, I reflect on how our Father in Heaven has unconditional love for his children).
Ian didn't have a mean bone in his body. When he sees you, you know he will give you a hand to shake or open his arms for a hug. He made friends so easily and loved people so much. He never judged you based on how you look, what you think, what you feel, etc. He accepted you for who you are. One time he asked me "what happened to your face?" I smiled at him and told him "God made me special just like he made me special". His response was "I liove you" My heart just was filled with joy when he said that. I know it was very genuine. His smiles can brighten a really dark tunnel. If I had a "blah" day, Ian made it better just by his intoxicating smiles and hugs. If he saw you and wanted to talk to you, he would run up to you, unaware at of his surroundings..... just because he thinks you need a hug.
I've know Ian for a while now. I never really got to know him well until about 5-6 years ago, I signed up to be a "special buddy" for him during Sunday School. I was thrilled to be paired up with him. When I told him the week before the Sunday school assistants started, Ian gave me a big smile and said "I love God too". Yes, his response wasn't really a response I expected but I was happy to hear him say what he did say. I loved sitting beside him in Sunday school as he listened intently on the lesson. If the lead teacher told the class to turn to a certain book in the Bible. Ian would jump in and open up my Bible (as I let him use mine). It was sweet to see him try to find the book of the Bible. When I offered help, he said "no" and would wave his hands. If the reading stopped before he could get to the book, he said "that's okay". One time I remember his lead teacher ask a question (I've since forgot what the question was). He jumped up and said "I know". The teacher listened to see what his response was he said "she knows" (pointing to me); so I guided him what to say.
Even though, Ian had trouble articulating things and sometimes he was hard to understand, he never got frustrated when you couldn't understand him. Ian would "show off" his new "things", especially if it was new clothing. Ian always was a social butterfly. I would talk to his mother, Sue and he would try to get my attention and talk to me as well. I loved how energetic he was and I loved his love for people.
I don't want to say I was extremely close to Ian, but I did have a connection with him. He means so much to me. This morning as I rolled out of my bed, washed up, and getting ready for the day, Ian came into my heart and mind. I was thinking how I haven't seen him for a while at church and how I miss his hugs. (I usually go to the early service so that probably was a reason why I haven't seen much of him lately). It's hard to explain, but I started to have an unsettling feeling in my heart. I wasn't sure why. So, I went on facebook (as everyone does in the morning!) and saw posts on Sue's wall... posts like "sad news", "praying" , Loving you", etc. I then asked a mutual friend and that's when I found out. My heart broke into a million pieces. Teary eyed, but not quit crying. It was a numbing feeling. I will always always hold him close to my heart and he will be greatly missed. However, I can't imagine how he looks now! His body is PERFECTED....He's hugging Jesus right now! So though he will be missed, I'm comforted in knowing he is with Jesus. How bittersweet....oh, so bittersweet.
I can't imagine how his family is feeling right now. As heart broken as I am, I know it's nothing compared to the feelings his family might have. I'm lost as to what to do for this family except to pray....mutual friends, you know exactly what I'm talking about in this note. Friends who don't know this family, I know for sure that you would fall in love with this young man the minute you meet him. Please join me in lifting up this dear family in prayer as we celebrate Ian's life, his love for others and for his God. He is a picture of unconditional love.
Rest in Peace dear friend. Please give Jesus a hug for me..... you will be missed by so many.
I thought about this a lot today. Today was hard for me when I found out a sweet young man I know passed away unexpectedly. I think of Ian when I see or hear the term unconditional love....( yes, I reflect on how our Father in Heaven has unconditional love for his children).
Ian didn't have a mean bone in his body. When he sees you, you know he will give you a hand to shake or open his arms for a hug. He made friends so easily and loved people so much. He never judged you based on how you look, what you think, what you feel, etc. He accepted you for who you are. One time he asked me "what happened to your face?" I smiled at him and told him "God made me special just like he made me special". His response was "I liove you" My heart just was filled with joy when he said that. I know it was very genuine. His smiles can brighten a really dark tunnel. If I had a "blah" day, Ian made it better just by his intoxicating smiles and hugs. If he saw you and wanted to talk to you, he would run up to you, unaware at of his surroundings..... just because he thinks you need a hug.
I've know Ian for a while now. I never really got to know him well until about 5-6 years ago, I signed up to be a "special buddy" for him during Sunday School. I was thrilled to be paired up with him. When I told him the week before the Sunday school assistants started, Ian gave me a big smile and said "I love God too". Yes, his response wasn't really a response I expected but I was happy to hear him say what he did say. I loved sitting beside him in Sunday school as he listened intently on the lesson. If the lead teacher told the class to turn to a certain book in the Bible. Ian would jump in and open up my Bible (as I let him use mine). It was sweet to see him try to find the book of the Bible. When I offered help, he said "no" and would wave his hands. If the reading stopped before he could get to the book, he said "that's okay". One time I remember his lead teacher ask a question (I've since forgot what the question was). He jumped up and said "I know". The teacher listened to see what his response was he said "she knows" (pointing to me); so I guided him what to say.
Even though, Ian had trouble articulating things and sometimes he was hard to understand, he never got frustrated when you couldn't understand him. Ian would "show off" his new "things", especially if it was new clothing. Ian always was a social butterfly. I would talk to his mother, Sue and he would try to get my attention and talk to me as well. I loved how energetic he was and I loved his love for people.
I don't want to say I was extremely close to Ian, but I did have a connection with him. He means so much to me. This morning as I rolled out of my bed, washed up, and getting ready for the day, Ian came into my heart and mind. I was thinking how I haven't seen him for a while at church and how I miss his hugs. (I usually go to the early service so that probably was a reason why I haven't seen much of him lately). It's hard to explain, but I started to have an unsettling feeling in my heart. I wasn't sure why. So, I went on facebook (as everyone does in the morning!) and saw posts on Sue's wall... posts like "sad news", "praying" , Loving you", etc. I then asked a mutual friend and that's when I found out. My heart broke into a million pieces. Teary eyed, but not quit crying. It was a numbing feeling. I will always always hold him close to my heart and he will be greatly missed. However, I can't imagine how he looks now! His body is PERFECTED....He's hugging Jesus right now! So though he will be missed, I'm comforted in knowing he is with Jesus. How bittersweet....oh, so bittersweet.
I can't imagine how his family is feeling right now. As heart broken as I am, I know it's nothing compared to the feelings his family might have. I'm lost as to what to do for this family except to pray....mutual friends, you know exactly what I'm talking about in this note. Friends who don't know this family, I know for sure that you would fall in love with this young man the minute you meet him. Please join me in lifting up this dear family in prayer as we celebrate Ian's life, his love for others and for his God. He is a picture of unconditional love.
Rest in Peace dear friend. Please give Jesus a hug for me..... you will be missed by so many.
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