Not Just Another Day

Yesterday afternoon we received the news that Tyler Sheets had died in an automobile accident. Tyler is the 19-year-old son of our dear friends Kyle and Bernita. Within an hour a group of us were on the road to Muleshoe, TX. We had to be there. We got home at 2:00 today and we'll be going back in the morning.

This family mean more to us than just friends. Our lives are uniquely entwined in ways we cannot describe or explain. Today, on Max's birthday, we cannot help but remember that their son, Landon prayed Max into this world. He was 5 years old and he prayed for us to have a baby every single day long after the rest of us had given up asking God for a miracle.

The day Tyler was born we were all there in the birthing room with Bernita and Kyle. We (well the men anyway) were watching the basketball playoff games and anxiously awaiting the birth of this child number 5. Geoff was a little nervous about the whole process so he did what he could to entertain the older kids by taking them on wheelchair rides. Then after he got them all rowdy he threatened them with warnings that the nurses would be doling out shots if they didn't mind their manners. The kids loved it. The nurses didn't. When Tyler was born he had the chord wrapped around his neck 3 times. It was very tense for a few minutes and then all was well and there was cause for great celebration! And then guys got back to the basketball game. I remember we ordered pizza. Yes, pizza to be delivered to the birthing room. When the delivery guy came he asked us what was going on up here. We told him Bernita had just had a baby about an hour ago. I'll never forget the look on his face when he looked over at her and she smiled and waved at him. He was gone in a flash. We just laughed and passed the pizza. In case you hadn't figured it out yet, Bernita and Kyle are fascinating and wonderful people - full of life and love. As are each of their 10 children. Each is unique in their own abilities and gifts but the same in their hearts for each other and for all of us - those on the edge - completely enveloped yet looking in. This family and Tyler in particular exude the gifts of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. He was a quiet, kind, funny, loving, peaceful, gentle young man. He was humble and loved. I could go on and on with stories of this family and who they are and what they mean to us but like I said this relationship is indescribable in it's depths.

A terrible thought occurred to me today. Did I mention that Tyler was one of 10 children? Kyle and Bernita will never be able to count to 10 again. Please keep this family in your prayers. And don't forget to celebrate with your kids. They are so worth celebrating.