My friend, Kim Mothershead

Kim Vance Mothershead died this week at the age of 53.   She has been a friend since she was a student, she was in my Sunday School Class when she married, and we have been long-term friends.  I normally go to the visitation or the funeral service but I went to both for Kim.   At the visitation, I stood in line for over two hours and the church this morning was packed.   It was a time of sadness at her passing but rejoicing in her life.

The Southeast Missourian called me for an interview about her and I said these things:  I described her as a person of joy and added:  "Anytime you were with her the world would be lighter and brighter" and then I summed up her contributions as:  "The intensity of her interest was such that in whatever she did, she was not content to be ordinary."

One of the ironic parts of all of the people who came to either service or visitation was how many talked about what a valued friend she was.   When she spied you anywhere, she made you feel that it was a thrill to her to see you.  She made the experience and the day brighter just by her presence.

Friendship is a wonderful thing.  I love my friends.  I love it when they tell me that I have played a special part in their life.   It makes life meaningful and makes me so grateful for the experiences that have been mine.  

I think of the love between David and Jonathan in the Bible and all the relationships that jump from its pages.  I learned the verse "A friend loveth at all times" and have said that often to Harriett Goodin and Rosalie Oliver when we have been peeved with each other,  pointing out that that verse came from Scripture.

Kim and I were kindred spirits and we did love at all times.   I shall miss her joy but I will seek to be a part of her joy constantly.  I hope that someone feels "that the world was lighter and brighter when I was there."  Help me, Lord, to be a more caring friend to those along the way.  RIP Kim Vance Mothershead.