This Afternoon by Katrina Sischo-Hansen on Friday, May 18, 2012 at 11:29pm

Well it is over, today we celebrated the life of Timothy Preston a sweet young man that left us too soon. There was a place to speak about what we remembered about Tim and I was not sure I could do it but I did make it through without breaking up too much. I was reminded how we make a imprint in the lives of other people and for some people they just can't live as "an island unto themselves." Tim showed that today and I know there are more lives out there he touched that we don't even know about.

Below is what I shared to honor Tim and since I did not have the written page with me I condensed it a little bit. But as you read this I pray that if there is a strained relationship in your life, or someone you have not seen in a while that you have wanted to touch base with, someone you need to forgive, or just say, "Hey", to pickup the phone, buy a card, message them, get in your car or say a prayer for them tonight and then connect with them. Life changes so fast mine changed dramatically in a span of two hours. Tim's changed in minuets and the ripples have washed over many of us.

Timothy means, "Honors God", and I know Tim did honor God because I knew Tim's heart. I seen and heard how he honored God in the love he gave his family and friends.

Tragedies like this just have no good explanation and answering why would not change a thing or help relieve our grief.  I suppose I could launch into some theological discourse of what it could me but that would not change anything either. (Breath a sigh of relief)

I have known Tim since he was 3 and there are many things to reflect on. Fishing trips that provided more entertainment than fish, curiosity, meals shared, and birthday parties and one time he showed my son how to get into the apartment upstairs the problem was someone else lived there.

So in situations like this I have to rely on what I already know and what we know is even though Tim’s walk with the Lord has been like Billy’s in The Family Circus when he is chasing a butterfly or going to the bus and has consisted of ups, downs, over, under, around, and that narrow road or go to this wide road and at the end of that twisted and curvy road there was a prodigal, extravagant, lavishing Father in love, mercy and grace waiting for Tim with his arms open wide maybe even running toward Tim to embrace him.

I know nothing has kept him from God’s love; he was sealed with the Holy Spirit after he believed, he has entered into God’s rest, and one day we will meet again. In the meantime Tim has become part of that great cloud of witnesses and is cheering us on to have perseverance as we run our race.

It will take some time but I also believe the God of all comfort will walk with us and as time goes by the why will become less important and the knowing of all God is and has given us will take its place in our hearts.