Without a Word_ How a Boy's Unspoken Love Changed Everything - Jill Kelly [92]
I still have so much to learn, but your life caused me to evaluate mine and to decide how I want to live it. You encouraged me to claim my faith as my own and to wholly and completely surrender my life to Jesus Christ. Losing you broke my heart, but I have watched God mend it and bring healing to my life. Thank you for loving me enough to challenge me to be more like Jesus. Hunter, thank you for teaching me how to live. I’ll see you soon, bud. Soon and very soon.
Cassie
(A dear friend and nanny)
A memory is a picture in your mind. I have a beautiful memory of some very quiet moments with Hunter. These moments were on Good Friday two years ago (2003). It was between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m., the hours Jesus was on the cross. I had the privilege of being able to read to Hunter about the Easter story. He was on his mat in the living room, and I sat down right next to him. As I read to him and held his hand, I felt a sense of peace like I had never felt before. It was very, very quiet. Only Hunter and I were home at the time.
I remember telling him about how, when I was a child, we read the Easter story on Good Friday between 12:00 and 3:00 p.m. and then went to church to ring the bell thirty-three times. This was at 3:00 p.m. when Jesus said, “It is finished,” and died. The thirty-three times symbolized how long He lived here on earth.
I remember telling Hunter how much Jesus loves him and how much He loves each and every one of us, and how this “darkest day in all the world” was only temporary. As we talked, he listened. Hunter’s gentle spirit filled the room and filled my heart. His precious, precious breathing filled my ears like the most beautiful music I had ever heard. It was as though Hunter wanted to tell me, “Oh, Ellen—I know that darkest day was only temporary. The miracle of Jesus rising from the dead on Easter was just one of the many continuous miracles of life. He gave His all for us and still does this today.” And Hunter told me with his sweet eyes that it’s always going to be okay.
I’m so thankful that I have these Good Friday moments to treasure forever. God gave me the beautiful privilege of sharing so many moments with you, Hunter.
Love,
Ellen
(Hunter’s RN)
I have so many wonderful memories of Hunter. It was very difficult to pick just one to share. I finally decided to recall the first lesson I taught him. Although it wasn’t the first time we had met, it was our first official day as student/teacher. I can remember him sitting so proudly in his chair, wrapped in his Scooby Doo blanket and wearing his Buffalo Bills hat. He welcomed me with a look I shall never forget. It was a look of a child who had a desire to learn.
We worked outside on the deck and I taught him about apples. We read a book about Johnny Appleseed, cut an apple in half to make star prints with paint, and made a mobile of an apple as it was being eaten out of foam. At the end of the lesson Hunter used a highlighter to trace his name with assistance, and then on his own he drew a picture. During the entire lesson, he was so interested in hearing everything I had to say. I could tell with each sentence that he was eager to hear more. Hunter was so cooperative and so willing to allow hand-over-hand assistance. He was so determined to complete each task I gave him.
Hunter really seemed to enjoy our time together that day, as did I. I knew it was a match made in heaven. I thank God so often for the honor of being handpicked by Him to be Hunter’s second-grade teacher. I shall always and forever treasure my time with him. Although Hunter was the “student” and I was the “teacher,” many times I left your home feeling like I was the student. Your