I just wanted to write a little about a young man named Sean. Sean was a fun, bright star that always brought laughter to all around him. One of my first memories of him was when he was in the Jr. High group. We were making videos that were parodying the "Real World" and he played a boy named "Winky." That name stuck. We called him that from then on. He was small and in fact was fired from his first job at Subway because he was too small. He would be a boy who was a distraction to a youth group, but would keep the leaders laughing, so we couldn't ever really be mad at him. I remember playing "Parappa the Rapper" at his house and we'd laugh and laugh. He was one of those boys in the youth group that was always friends with girls and since I was a girls small group leader, he was always around. I loved hanging out with that group.
On Monday, Sean passed away unexpectedly. He was truly loved by all and that is apparent if you just look on his Facebook page at all the goodbye messages. He will definitely be missed by all who knew him.
I'm sorry we weren't as close in recent years, but I always felt a connection with him and that entire class. They have always been a good group of students, now adults, and I've loved to watch them grow.
For me... this has been one of the hardest things to wrap my mind around. As a fellow youth worker noted, it's so hard to outlive students. There are times, where nothing can prepare you for dealing with this. Even-though we weren't as close as we once were, I know that I always loved him as one of my kids. I ache at the thought of him being gone. Sometimes people ask me why I chose youth ministry over teaching Jr. High in public schools and it's because it's a much more intimate relationship with the students. I love them so much and I want to be a part of their lives--not just see them in the classroom but also in their lives, with their friends, family, their ups and downs. I want to know who they TRULY are. This has been so apparent these last couple days. That even-though we weren't close, it's so clear in my heart that I still cared deeply for him and I never stopped thinking and praying for him. And maybe it's through this loss that I know that these kids are not just mine in the two years they are in my youth group--I consider them my kids their whole lives. I pray that they all know this.
Lord,
I pray you be with the Riedl family. Be with Sean's brothers and help them to know that we all love them. Be with those who are morning the loss of their friend. Lord I also pray that you be with all my kids, everywhere, let them know that I love them no matter what! Thank you for being in control of our lives, for Lord we could not do this without you carrying us through the rough patches of our lives.
AMEN.
