For those who haven't been following my blog, or have missed some posts, 2014 has been a little rougher on me than usual. Ignoring all my school issues, Mr. B. is the 5th person in my life who has passed this year and the third under the age of 55. A week ago I received a message that threw me for a loop because I thought someone else I knew (who is around Mr. B's age) had passed, but it turned out to be that person's father who was 96 years old. I felt relief that it wasn't someone I knew well who played a small part in my growing up in the church, but still a loss of life is still hard to take. Just as I was getting my bearings straight, I got the news that Mr. B. had passed in a car accident. Let's just say my emotions have been like a roller coaster and I can't even begin to imagine what his wife and kids are going through. Before I get any sadder, I want to remember a man who even though I only knew for four years, had a profound impact on many lives including mine. Kenny Chesney once said "I think we all have somebody in our life that dies young, and it's hard to figure out why, and that can make such an impact that no matter how busy you are and what you're doing in life, it can stop you in your life and change you."
I first met his oldest daughter about seven years ago at a young people's event and saw this young christian full of life and full of Christ. I met her older brother a few years later and then her younger sister a year after that. Each one holds a place in my heart and life and I'm proud to call all three of them friends and even family in Christ. Knowing Mr. B's kids really made me want to meet the man who produced three wonderful children, now lovely adults. I finally got the privilege in the fall of 2010. We were hosting a young people's event by taking the kids paint balling. Mr. B. came with the group from Mansfield and I thought that he was there to drive the kids. Little did I know that this almost 50 something was going to be out on the field shooting and getting shot with paint. For those who haven't played paintball, it requires energy and a certain level of pain endurance because paint balls sting. During the last battle, it was a free for all/every man/woman for themselves. I made an early alliance and used that alliance to pick off three people. Then, I went lone wolf and crept around a corner. As I peered around it, I saw Mr. B. trying to camouflage himself. Being in the heat of the battle, I started firing and didn't stop until I saw his hands come up (which in reality was four shots) and two got him. Later I felt bad and went to apologize for being aggressive. He just laughed said don't worry about it and we introduced ourselves, talked and joked for awhile, before heading back to our respective cities.
As the years rolled on, I saw him on and off at a few church events, but didn't really have any interactions again until July of 2013. His daughter Sarah was hosting a birthday party for her then fiance and now husband Paul at her parent's house in Lexington. Mr. B. was more than happy to open his home to a bunch of college and graduated kids as well as take a handful of us out on his pontoon boat. I believe one of his greatest joys was making others happy and feel welcome. At one point during the event, he asked for some help to carry a grill across the neighborhood because theirs wasn't working. He cracked a few jokes about four strange men "stealing" a grill, but the neighbors knew we were borrowing it. Being a fisherman myself, I was also able to swap some stories with him about our passion.
One of the last times I saw him, was my most memorable of all. He was with us when we went camping for Paul's bachelor party. On our first night, while we were hungry and waiting for the food to arrive, he grabbed his fishing pole, went straight to the creek, and began hauling in little pan-fish to immediately put on the fire. He was hauling them out faster than we could cook them. Throughout the weekend, he was telling us everything about Mohican Park, sharing stories of past trips, and even took us on a nature hike to some of the most spectacular views the place had to offer. I had the opportunity to talk with him a little about life, fishing, his future son-in-law and how he wouldn't allow Paul to call him "Dad" until he officially married his daughter, and so much more.
By the end of the trip, before we all left, he brought us all in a circle to pray for each other, the time we shared, and our lives going forward. He then wanted to acquire everyone's contact info to get the gang back together in the near future.
I saw him three more times after that and each time was as special as the first. He was filled with joy pride, and mirth at his daughter's wedding, he personally thanked me at the labor day conference for writing about Paul and Sarah's wedding and told me I had talent, and he was all smiles and upbeat working at Ashland woods three weeks ago after hours of hard manual labor. That was the last time I saw him.
Even though I knew him for a mere four years, his life impacted mine more than he'll ever know. Just looking at him was an inspiration in its own right. Mr. B. was a man who by my standards had everything he ever wanted. He had a loving wife and three amazing kids, a heart fully for Christ, a life where he embraced the joys more than the pain, a life that impacted so many around him, and took each day as it came, refusing to miss out on the pleasures that came with it.
For me, I want to strive to reach this standard. Sure, I really want to get married, have kids, grandkids, and die in old age. But that's not up to me. That's up to the God who created me, who gave up everything for me, and would do it again and again, and again no matter how many times I would spurn him and walk away. To be able to say I lived for Christ, to have saved people from eternal death, to be someone, like Mr. B., who made an impact on the lives of those around me, would be enough to say I lived life to the fullest. I have zero doubt that the Lord will carry us all through this difficult time. For now the tears may come, but the joy will one day return, knowing Mr. B. lived a happy and full life and is now in the best place anyone could ever be; in the arms of our Savior.
Here's to Brian Brickner, husband, father, friend, uncle, brother, and so much more, and the Christ-filled life he lived, knowing that we will see him again one day. May the grace, mercy, and peace of the Lord be with you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment