sydney

i first met her two decembers ago, at my church's women's christmas party, which she was hosting at her home. i knew her name from the church bulletin, and from the pastors giving us updates on her condition - a tumor had been discovered in her brain the year before - but this was the first time i was actually meeting her.

i didn't even realize who she was at first... the person to which i was being introduced looked like a model, tall and thin with a glowing, olive complexion. i don't remember exactly what she was wearing, but i do remember thinking, i've seen this girl at church before - but this can't be 'sydney'... this girl is dressed too stylishly, and looks too cute to be sick.

we started talking, and she mentioned she'd noticed me in the congregation during the summer because i was super-pregnant (and apparently looking uncomfortable) - she told me she worried that day that i might go into labor during the service. wait, you noticed me?! you had been worried about me? 

then, almost as if she could sense my shock and uneasiness of being noticed, she quickly asked "ok, so is that your real hair color??" i laughed out loud, and said "no way, dude!" and then told her what i use. 

it was a short introduction, and besides seeing each other in passing at church, we really didn't get to know each other much further than that... but meeting her that evening two and a half years ago has always stayed with me. i never understood why, until this past thursday, when i was at her funeral.

as i sat and listened to family and friends speak of sydney's love of Jesus, and how that love trickled down into her relationships with others, and her genuine interest in building those relationships, i realized that when i met her two decembers ago, i was seeing her in action - she was making a connection with me. she was bypassing the normal "hi, what's your name and what do you do" greeting, and going straight for a personal connection. i also realized that's the exact opposite of what i do - i tend to keep it light and on the surface when first meeting someone, and often after meeting them several times later (after all, what if the person really doesn't like me??)... i'm thankful sydney was so personable with me that night. i'm thankful she loved Jesus so deeply that she felt confident in loving and pursuing others. i pray i learn to do the same. 

it was incredibly sad to mourn the loss of this beautiful wife, mom, daughter and friend, because she will be so deeply missed.... but oh how wonderfully joyous it was to celebrate not only her life, but that she has been made new, and is with her Lord and Savior. 

i took this photograph a couple of months ago, and thought of two people: my sweet friend carrie, and because of this post on carrie's blog, sydney.