By
Judy Hensley 11/13/12
Have
you heard the expression of something that we have seen or experienced being
‘etched on our mind’s eye’? I have and I
have a couple of new scenes there that I’d like to share with you. I don’t have real pictures of these times, so
you will have to follow here and see if you can also see why I would want to
keep these scenes in my mind’s eye.
Most
of the pictures in my mind’s eye are there because I have in most cases urged
myself to keep them as a special memory.
Some things in my mind’s eye are pictures and others are like mini-video
clips.
Some things in my mind’s eye are:
the memory of one night standing on the beach watching a storm out at sea with
my boyfriend at the time; him hugging me and life feeling so perfect. (and YES, just so you will know, I married
him). Another one is the day my daughter
first laughed out loud, and I stood there and cried and prayed that God would
bless her life with happiness; and one that is not so happy to recall is the
immense feeling of helplessness and littleness I felt as I watched on a TV
screen at my workplace the terrorist attacks on New York City, the Pentagon and
flight that crashed in Pennsylvania as events unfolded on a day in September
2001. There are others, but I think you
get the picture.
Recently another event with two
parts has been added to my mind’s eye.
They are related to the passing of my friend Richard Vines. Richard is one of those kinds of friends
everyone should have. He was near in age
to my dad, and I have been friends with his two daughters since we were in
elementary school. We also attended
Antioch Baptist Church many years recently with Richard. He had been retired about 10 years now and
his health was deteriorating in recent years due to problems with his
lungs. Many times I looked at him and
could tell he didn’t feel well but he would come on and eat with us all after
church. He loved his family, his
church, his friends, and he was always there when you needed him. He was a good listener and an honest
advisor.
A couple of weeks ago, he faced his
last battle with his health. He was in
intensive care about a week when doctors told his family they had done all they
could do to help Richard. This did not
surprise me and I was not totally upset at this because I knew Richard had a
future in a better place and he was ready to depart this world and spend the
rest of time with his Savior and Father in heaven. His
family honored his wish and did not prolong his life by artificial means.
My husband and I were privileged to
be in the room along with his daughters, his sons-in-laws, and several other
family and friends as Richard peacefully slipped from this world into the arms
of God. I had never been in the place
when one was dying and you knew it would be in a short time span. Being at Richard’s bedside was an event that
will forever be in my mind’s eye. I
cannot describe the peace and comfort that I felt being there among those
people who shared the same hope and faith that Richard did. One man prayed, some of us held hands, his
daughters stood with such courage and honor for their dad at that time. It was hard and easy at the same time for
me. It was such a sweet spirit to feel. Several times during the 40 or so minutes I was
there someone would start humming a hymn and the rest would soon pick up and
sing. How can those who love one so much
handle such times with such calmness? I
only know one wa,y and that is through the mercy and love of God the
Father. I stayed as long as I could but
just could not bear to see him take his last breath. Within 10 minutes of me leaving, his family
and friends trickled back into the waiting room. Although we knew he was in a better place it
is still hard to hold back emotions that overwhelm one at times like that. But I left the hospital trying to smile
because I knew my friend was not hurting anymore, he had run a good race and had
finished it well. I can only pray I
might do the same someday.
The second part of this mind eye
memory occurs as I sat in the church for Richard’s memorial service. I will never forget looking over and seeing Richard’s
grand-daughter, Briley Kate who is 13 years old, stand and raise her arms in
praise to her Lord and the Lord of her grandfather as she sang along with a
trio singing a gospel song. I know she did that in honor and worship to
her God, but I sat there and thought “what a great legacy Richard has left with
his family and those of us who called him friend!” One thing Briley knows and
rejoices freely about is WHO always watched over her granddad, and WHO is
watching over him now. And I think that
is something worth remembering. Thank
you Briley for being grateful for these things about your grandfather and for
the God he served well. He was a great
man and I pray the memories of him in your heart will always bring you
joy! We will miss him, but he is going
to be living it up until we can see him again one day if we believe God’s
promises and seek HIS love while we live here on the earth.
Richard Vines Obituary--Johnson
City Press online(not complete)
“I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all
who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 NIV
Richard
Smith Vines, 75, Johnson City, entered into rest, Monday, October 22, 2012, at
the Johnson City Medical Center.
Richard
was a native of Jonesborough and a resident of Johnson City.
He was a
son of the late Scott and Kate Henley Vines.
Richard
installed carpet for many years and later became a salesman for Salem Carpet,
Winco Tile and finally retired from John Barretta Tile in Knoxville, TN, where
he became part of the Barretta family.
Once he
moved back to Johnson City, he became a very active member of Antioch Baptist
Church, where he served as Trustee, Sunday School Director and as a member of
the Pastor Search Committee.
He was
known as “the hospital man,” always seeming to be the first person to visit or
call anyone admitted to the hospital, often even before even the pastor knew,
Richard had already visited with the sick. When he no longer had the lung
capacity to walk into the hospital, he would have someone take him to visit
with a wheelchair and once he had his own power chair, there was no stopping
him. If he felt well enough, he was there on his own, in his wheelchair. He was
known as a prayer warrior and encourager to anyone he knew. Everyone will miss
his yearly phone calls to them to wish them happy birthday and happy
anniversary. He never missed any opportunity to encourage others.
He loved
those special friends who would just drop by to visit and seek advice from his
life and wisdom as well.
Richard
was a wonderful father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend to all who knew
him.
Richard
enjoyed the Gaither Trio and attended their Homecoming in Johnson City.
He was
an avid Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.
Survivors
include two daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy Rowe and husband, Andy,
Jonesborough, and Tina Lyle and husband, Alan, Rome, Italy; three precious
grandchildren, Owen and Briley Rowe, Jonesborough, and Rebecca Lyle, Rome,
Italy; a special friend, who was like a son, Tim Taylor and wife Teresa; one
special cousin, Jean Henderson and her husband, Jim, Cleveland, TN; many
nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; also many special friends within his
church
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