Yesterday, I attended the most beautiful Celebration of Life Service for two of the most beautiful servants of Jesus: Erwin and Othelia Cartrite from Sunray, my hometown. They had been married for 62 years and were married in the Sunray Baptist Church....the very church that we celebrated their lives in yesterday. Two people who lived their entire lives loving each other, their daughters and family and the community of Sunray. I was blessed to receive their special love as well.
Their youngest daughter, Celesta "Red", and I were the same age. We began Kindergarten together and graduated together. While growing up in my dysfunctional home, I found their functional home as a sweet safe haven. Erwin and Othelia would pick me up for church on Sunday mornings many days and I spent many nights at their house as well. Despite all their unconditional love and acceptance, I still ventured away from Jesus during my adult life as I rebelled and acted out my anger from life's circumstances.
Many years went by where I didn't come to Sunray much because of the sad memories left in my heart. But anytime I saw Erwin and Othelia, it was as if no time had passed at all. Erwin still cut up with me, joked around and Othelia still loved on me just as a mother would.
In August of last year, I had a book signing at Hastings here in Amarillo one Saturday afternoon. Lo and behold who do I see standing before me? Erwin Cartrite!!! He was by himself that day, which was very unusual since he and Othelia went just about everywhere together. He drove to Amarillo that day just to come see me and buy a few of my books. I couldn't believe it! I'm not even sure how he found out I was having a book signing that day. But it didn't matter, I was so delighted to see him. We visited and joked around as was common with Erwin and he bought several copies of my book that day. He had some specific people he wanted to give one to. My heart was delighted to see him.
A month or so later, I was asked to speak in Sunray at the Baptist Church for the Women's Fall Kick-off banquet in October. Wow, what an honor to be asked to speak at this event. I felt I was finally ready to return to the town where it all started for me, give my testimony of hope and love on the women of that sweet church. As the day approached, my heart became more and more excited to go "home" with hope in my heart instead of sad memories. (See previous post "Coming Full Circle")
Sheryl Cartrite Winegarner and her sweet Mom, Othelia were my biggest fans in the audience. What an absolute delight to see them that night and love on them and also receive their love as well. There's a reason Sheryl got the nick name "Mama Sheryl"....she has the kind of love for others that only a mother has....and her love never runs out. Hmm? I wonder where she got that?? :)
That night, Sheryl and I said we should get together sometime at her parent's house....have lunch and a red velvet cake! (Othelia is quite famous for her red velvet cake....one of my favorites)....We didn't set a date, but it sure sounded like a great idea!
Weeks went by and we decided on December 3rd....Gary was going to be out of town and I could drive to Sunray and spend the afternoon with Sheryl and her parents. We'd eat a great lunch because they are such great cooks! So, we did it. Sheryl's husband, Coach Winegarner, came as well, which was another surprise! I hadn't seen him in many years! Coach was one of my favorite coaches from high school and a sure blast from the past as well! We had enchilada casserole that was out of this world that Sheryl made and red velvet cake as well! Delicious!!!
After lunch, we sat around in the living room of Erwin and Othelia's house, where I'd sat many a time before, and we visited and visited and visited about everything and anything! Mrs. Rogers, my 8th grade English teacher joined us as well and we laughed out loud til our sides were hurting!
We laughed so hard out there on the driveway at Erwin's photography abilities I thought I might pee in my pants!! He was absolutely hilarious! We finally got some pics and I got on my way home to Amarillo with a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon across my face! What a day! Yes, what a day it was to remember.
Just a few weeks later, Othelia was diagnosed with brain cancer and the prognosis wasn't good. I couldn't believe it. In early January, she was admitted to BSA for dehydration and I went up to see her. Celesta was in town from Minneapolis and I hadn't seen her in such a long time. It was so good to catch up with her, yet, I knew her heart was breaking for her mom. Erwin was still his ornery self and kept us all in stitches! Every person that walked through Othelia's door got met with this: "Did you know she wrote a book?" Erwin was my biggest fan and promoter of the book, to the point I turned red when he said it over and over! Deep down, I was delighted that he was proud of me. It felt good to have him so proud.
Othelia got released to a rehab in Dumas and later went on home. Not long after she got home, Celesta sent me a text that said her mom had regressed and seemed ready to let go. It was all happening so fast, I was in disbelief! In the meantime, Erwin had a minor prostate surgery scheduled for the 21st. Now this is a man who never drank a drop of alcohol nor touched tobacco in his entire life! (oh how I wish I could say that as well.)
After the surgery, Erwin's blood pressure dropped drastically and he suffered a massive heart attack. The doctors and nurses worked desperately to save him, but the damage was too extensive. In a second, Erwin was gone from this earth. What? What just happened here? That was a Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, Othelia is barely hanging on for her life and two days later, she passes and is now in the arms of Jesus and Erwin once again. Bittersweet, huh? 62 years together on earth. Eternity in Heaven. A love story like no other.
But wait, there's more! Celesta's husband, Scott, had never given his life to Jesus. This worried Othelia as she talked about her concerns when I was at her house in December. This was a burden on her heart and had become a burden on my heart as well. Yet, God in all His splendor and glory made all things good for those who love the Lord! The night before Erwin and Othelia's celebration of life service, Scott gave his life to the Lord and accepted Jesus as his Savior!!!
In God's world, ALL things work together for good! ALL THINGS! Sure, we are sad to lose Erwin and Othelia from this physical world...but it's just a small window of time compared to our eternal lives we'll spend with them and Jesus....but it is all worth it to have ONE life saved from hell and condemnation! As believers, THAT is what it's all about! Sharing the Good News of Jesus with those who are lost so they can spend eternity in Heaven!!! Erwin and Othelia are dancing with the angels and celebrating the new life of their son-in-law Scott! I bet they wouldn't have it any other way than how it all worked out this week. I certainly wouldn't either.
"God our Savior. . .wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
I Timothy 2:3-4
