Every once in awhile someone crosses your path and you are forever changed by the time spent with that person. For me, one of those people was Dean Core. Dean started out as a part of my life because he was the dad of one of my closests friends in the world, but it wasn't long before he was much more than just Leona's dad...he was my friend. I have been blessed in the last 7 years to sit and talk with Dean countless times about life. I have laughed at his stories of the past and he has listened to me share with him my experiences around the world. Each time I would come back from a trip, he would have all kinds of questions about what I did and what the people were like.Dean was the kind of person who actually took an interest in the person he was talking to. When he asked you a question, it wasn't just to be polite, but he really wanted to know. He cared about people and he knew how to make you feel important. I never left Dean's presence without feeling like I mattered and that he genuinely loved me.
One of the things I have heard frequently about Dean is that he never had a negative thing to say about anyone. It was true. I can't remember hearing one critical thing from him. I'm pretty sure there are not too many people in this world that could have that said about them. I know it wouldn't be me. What a challenge that is for me to live a life of such graciousness that no one remembers me ever saying a negative thing about anyone. And this was just one of the many amazing qualities that was embodied in this wonderful man.
Unfortunately for those of us still here, the earthly life of Dean Core came to an end at 9:00am on Wednesday, April, 1, 2009. For Dean, his real life, the one he was designed and created to live for eternity, has just begun. He now knows fully what he could only imagine just a few short hours ago. He is finally in the presence of the One he served faithfully throughout his life.
Although we have been left with an empty place in our hearts, we also have an awesome legacy that has been left for those of us who knew and loved him. His life is a challenge to me to be a person who is an encouragement to others, to speak words of love and to be quick to see the best in others.
Thank you Dean for your faithful life following your Lord and Savior. Thanks for changing my life through the gift of your friendship. Whether you knew it or not....You were the kind we read about my friend. I miss you already.
2 comments:
Wow, thanks for this note on grandpa. Made me cry. What a great thought that Grandpa is enjoying the first full week of his "real life" the life God created him for. To spend eternity not on earth, but with Him in heaven. Thanks for this thought. I agree with you that his life challenges me to not speak negatively about anyone. What a great guy... we will miss him for sure.
I read this note that you wrote a while back. Thank you for doing this. I was blessed to have such an amazing father. I can only try to be like him, especially with not speaking a neg thing. I have fallen way short of that.
Thanks for your beautiful words of love, your thougths, your thought of him starting his Life, when for us here on earth, it was over. I long to see him someday, and so wait with anticipation not just to see him, but to be with Jesus, and Dad.
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