Sharon Dow

My Tribute

During the last 5 days, I have lost two special people; one a very close friend, the other a dear cousin. The next two blogs will be my tribute to each of them. This blog will be dedicated to Chris Baker, a friend for more than 40 years.

A Personal Tribute to my Special Friend

Over forty years ago, Chris and I met in a random and serendipitous way. Our families clicked right away, and so began a 40 year friendship that has stood the test of time and now of eternity.

In the beginning, Wilse and I enjoyed a meeting of the minds, having so much in common through our teaching, our strong political views (different parties), competitive at games, a love for debate on almost any issue. Chris was in the background, just being her usual accommodating self.

Over the years, our friendship began to grow and deepen. The city girl and the country girl began to seek out what was in each other’s hearts. We grew together until our relationship was special and solid. We cried together, we shared joys and sorrows; we shared secrets that only we could share. We celebrated our differences and developed our points of similarities.

As I remember Chris today, the outstanding characteristic I see is loyalty. Her family came first in her earthly life and her loyalty to them never failed. She sustained hurts and joys, always remaining constant in her acceptance of them. It was the same with her friendships. I could always count on her to be there when I needed her.

Love loomed large in her personality. So many people benefited from her outpouring of love. It came from her heart and was unconditional, free, without strings, and abundant. My own sons have often remarked on how she made them feel they were a part of her family. That she loved them was evident in all she said and did and was felt and understood by them.

She lived her life for her Saviour. There is no question in my mind that she in now in Heaven. I believe that Christ came for her last Thursday, and said, “Chris, it’s time.” I can visualize him with his hand outstretched to her, beckoning her to come. The world faded for her and she left her final words for us, “I’m gone.” Gone to be with Jesus; gone to her final resting place; gone to receive her eternal reward.

The Bible says, “Absent from the body; present with the Lord.” That’s Chris. She shed her earthly body, and is now present with her Lord.

How could I wish her back? Her pain is gone, her heart is whole again, her balance has been restored, she has no more tears.

But for us who are left behind, she leaves a hole in our lives that can never be filled by anyone else. She was unassuming, never putting herself first; but she carved out places in our hearts that go deep.

Chris, I already miss you. I can’t believe I can never talk to you again until the final call comes for me. But that call will come and I will see her again. Until that time, her memory will remain alive in my heart and I will cherish every memory of her.

Good-bye my friend, I love you.