Dear Sukij,
I have been awakened numerous times over the past few nights with thoughts and prayers for you on my mind. Once again tonight I awoke thinking of you traveling back to Thailand – I can vividly picture the trip (thru Tokyo?) with you as I have made the trip to Bangkok twice in the past three years to visit missionaries. (Laurence will be going again in December.)
The sudden shock and surprise of your news has given way to a deep sense of connectedness and calm that I cannot explain.
There are happy memories that have flooded back from over the years. Pictures of Columbia Union College days. Days of deep faith and special friendship shared with you. I still find great joy and meaning in recounting the faith building days of Calculus, Physics for Engineers, Computer Science classes and Biochemistry. I remember one day in particular when all seemed grim and I cowered under the weight of an unknown test result. I met you in a downstairs hallway near the old "computer science headquarters" of the admin building where you read my nonverbal burden and then spoke words of comfort to me. You asked me what the worst possible outcome I felt would be and then after facing this possibility placed it in a lifetime perspective... somehow even the poorest grade faded in significance after you helped me see it in that light and in so doing hope arose within me to carry on.
Then there were the numerous fun outings that you Genny, Charles and I went on. These memories of concerts, walks along Sligo creek, picnics, games, my Thanksgiving at your Uncle's home or just good old surprises for each other are the bright spots in the CUC years for me … Remember the meal David prepared for us out of his closet in his rented room? Coming from an immigrant family myself where close friendships outside of our immediate family were few and far between these friendships were the primer for my course in developing relational ties.
What I enjoyed about our friendship was the way you challenged me mentally and spiritually. I always knew when we met that there would be books to share, ideas to communicate & discuss, and a deeply shared sense of God's presence in our daily lives. This tie through the transitions of life for me was so meaningful... off to Walla Walla, on to Medical School and even through the faith testing years of Residency I knew you were there and our visits together seemed to weave a silken thread of friendship thru the sometimes coarse and broken fabrics of transition.
There were summer trips down to DC / Takoma Park with walks along the towpath and the visit to the little cottage on the bay - you treated me to that delicious meal (I never knew fish could taste so good!). I wonder what that little tree looks like that we planted in front of the cottage those many years ago - what a thoughtful gift you chose. Your days of early employment at the U of Maryland proved how much God had blessed you in knowledge as well as giftedness to work with and inspire those you worked with. You sure amazed me as you showed me the main telephone exchange (please excuse the simplistic terms) that you had invested so many hours and hours of thought and energy to bring to birth. I dimly remember that this brought you in contact with AT&T and their leadership. God was opening the doors for you to impact others with His Love.
Thank you for the many meaningful cards you chose and messages you wrote for birthdays or just to lift the soul. I still have them all tucked away and read them again and again.
Of course there was the fly fishing trip we took down the Green River. What a gift! What a gorge-ous trip! You drew out of me a spontaneous side I had set aside and it was so good to connect with you and life again. To remember that friendships could outlast the years and span over the changes of time. Catching (and releasing) those beautiful fish was truly amazing --- even if it did rain on us and our tents it didn't spoil our trip. Those guides sure knew their river, when & where to flip the flies and how to coach freshman anglers. I still have tucked away the beautifully tied flies that we used that trip. I pulled them out and marveled over them with my kids.
You were there when it came time for me to buy my first computer giving me counsel and setting me on a path for life. I remember the momentous decision it was for me. I waited till I had paid off all of my medical school loans and then with my next Rural Health check I purchased "Lappy" my 520c - the Apple of my eye. How could I know that the 5 grand that I plunked down would be the most expensive computer in all my life but the door to so much more. It was on this little Lappy that I learned to e-mail. Here I communicated with my friends and layed the solid foundation of a love affair with Apple delights. Not only did I court my future husband across the thousands of miles over CompuServe connections--- but I fatefully tempted him with the apple and once he took his first bite he too was smitten with this new love. (I don’t know if I like the whole analogy … but you understand) Now he eagerly awaits Steve Jobs periodic “updates”. He dreams of the day when he can retire his road weary Palm Treo for a sleek new iphone. And He loves me all the more for my introducing him to the apple.
Your presence at my wedding was a true honor. Thank you for coming and bringing your warm love and attention with you. Mom reminded me of your care for Geraldine my Loma Linda friend. Your attention to those who many a time would be set aside sets you apart as so special. I remember those last night jitters that fluttered in my belly. Between having to settle all the floating details, calm the settling truth behind the dreams, and bridge the many different relational gaps I still had to grow through – your presence – a friend from over the years who had seen all those in between times and still loved me with such a deep love – your presence and shoulder was a true comfort.
And so when you requested a chance to say goodbye I felt a deep sense of personal value. Valued as a friend. The amazing quality of friendship that reaches out to others to think of others even in your seeming time of intense personal crisis testifies to the depth of love you know. You have allowed God to move deeply within and I am privileged to be one of the recipients of His Love thru you his servant.
And now He is calling you back to Himself. I must say there is sorrow in the temporary parting but this is only evidence that we were created for more – for life eternal. I know when you awake on that great “getting up mornin” you will be looking into the kind face of your Savior and accepting His welcome. May His smile bring peace to the corners of your soul and light to your eyes in these days of your earthly journey.
You have been a true friend Sukij and I will count you as a priceless treasure for now and for eternity.
Come Lord Jesus come.
Your sister in Him always,
Lois
