Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Tragedy

It bothers me that I took so long to realize that last weekend's tragedy really does affect me.

Two Hope students that would have been sophomores died as a result of an auto collision. Sam Meengs died instantaneously at the crash and his girlfriend, Karen Linder, died after spending about a day on life support at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.

The newspapers and the televisions stations have been all over this story, about funeral arrangements and a memorial service that's supposed to be held in Dimnent Chapel fairly soon.

I guess I didn't really let myself get bothered until this evening when I was talking to Jay. I hadn't heard from him in a while and was glad to talk to him again. He and I both agreed that friendships, especially in college, are difficult things.

Jay: i cant believe im done!
Jay: what?!?!?!
Jay: best feeling ever!
Me: but we will miss you guys next year
Jay: unfortunately, college is like that
Jay: so fast
Jay: just enough time to get to know someone and then its adios
Jay: not fair in my opinion
Jay: brb
Jay: back
Me: welkom
Me: i agree completely with you-that's why i both have absolutely loved my friendships at hope and sort of loathed them in a very bizarre way
Jay: yeah
Me: there are people at hope that i come to love like a brother or sister and then i have the very painful job of saying good-bye

I've told many people that my friends at Hope are a lot different than most of my "friends" from high school. I've come to love close friends from Hope like brothers and sisters. Being a senior is going to be great, but already there's this nagging thought in my mind about the fact that when I graduate, it'll be different. Not only will I bid farewell to the other graduating seniors, but everyone else, too. The faculty and staff. Campus Ministries. The underclassmen who will be left behind. Engedi. Friends I made in the Holland area. That's so many goodbyes. Too many.

Sam and Karen had that, too. No, I didn't know them, but I know that they had those same meaningful relationships and have people who care about them and are going to miss them TERRIBLY. I can still pray for their families and friends. Who can possibly understand their pain except the Holy Spirit?

Currently Listening Stay By Jeremy Camp I Still Believe see related