I have taken a LONG sabbatical from blogging. I’m not sure if I was just too busy with work, life, or the lack of inspiration to write, but today I’ve had emotions that motivated a longing to express recent thoughts.
Tragically, yesterday morning, a friend died in a car wreck. She was healthy, active, and full of life. And then she was gone...I’ve known Channing for years but only really got to know her recently in the past year or two. Though Channing was not one of my closest friends, her death has impacted me in a way I never would have thought possible. But that was the thing about Channing, she touched everyones life she came into contact with. She had a whimsical essence that made everyone love her. I went through the dictionary trying to think/find the right word to describe her. And yet, in a book filled with 80,000 words, I still could not find a word to aptly describe the wonderful woman she was. She was energetic and passionate about life, her son (one of the best mothers I may know - he was her heart and soul), her husband (who she'd loved since grade school), family and friends, and her work. She displayed a seemingly endless wellspring of inspiration that could barely be contained, and therefore she radiated those qualities throughout her brief but unforgettable journey.
The premature death of a young promising person always shocks us. It almost makes us slip into a depressive mood. When I first heard the news I felt so sad for all those who loved her. I felt sick about everything she will miss and everyone who will miss her. My thoughts went to Rigby (her husband), who now has to do everything alone at the same time as he is grieving for his wife. Tristan (her son), to whom understanding will come slowly and will likely pierce his dad’s heart over and over asking about her, without meaning to. Who will grow up without a mom to guide him through the things we rely on moms for. Then the thought crossed my mind that he is so young, he might not even remember her much later in life - which saddens me even more. Her mother, who never imagined she would be faced with the death of her child prior to her own. That’s only suppose to happen in movies like Steel Magnolias, not in real life. Her sister, who relied on her sense of reason and words of wisdom. Her friends, who pick up the phone and realize she’s not just a call away anymore... The premature death of a young promising person also makes us philosophical, making us aware of the transitory nature of the earthly happenings. Though the feeling of detachment does not stay with us for long, it still manages to evoke sensitivity that makes us come face to face with the reality of our own vain pursuits in life. I reflected on the suddenness and unpredictability of her death and how alarming it was. It starts to make you think about how lucky you are and how not to take one day for granted.
As I sit here writing with my heavy heart this quote came to my mind: “Everyone leaves footprints in your memory, but the ones that leave footprints in your heart are the ones you will truly remember”. I then started to consider the characteristics of people who touch your heart or as I think of it “change your world”, I am sure that is exactly what Channing Rodgers did: She changed the world for all who knew her.
I’m asking all that read this to please remember Channing’s family in your prayers - not just today or this week, but in future prayer as well. This family has a long road of healing to go, but they have one beautiful special Angel watching and helping above. We should remember her forever, love daily, forgive and forget, and give give give... pay it forward and do something good for someone in Channing's memory.
