I’ve experienced death in a very real way three times while on the race. I wrote about the Gypsy funeral we attended in Romania but way before month six was month one in the Philippines and only a week into leaving home. I was sitting on our hostel bed when Wendy got the news that her mother unexpectedly passed away. I can’t explain the feeling of being with someone when they get news that will forever change their lives. It was as if the air was sucked from my lungs and all I could do was simply sit on that bed next to her in silence.
The second time was in Swaziland. Shannon and I had spent four months together and she had become a sister to me. We were sitting at Nisala Safari park when she got the news that her Uncle Dave only had a few days to live.
It was only a month earlier in Mozambique that she found out that he had cancer and the outlook wasn’t good. We had been praying for him and his family but I know how hard it was for Shannon since our communication with home was difficult.
Only a month later she suspected he didn’t have long to live and wrote him a letter from Africa that was eventually read at his funeral. It was in the bathroom at Nisalea game park that I got to know Uncle Dave through Shannon’s tears….
I know his name was Dave.
I know he had been happily married for over 30 years and loved his wife dearly.
I know he owned a car repair shop and was loved by his community.
I know his sons worked in his repair shop.
I know he got to meet his grandkids.
I know he had Santa eyes that sparkled when he smiled.
I know he got to drive a Nascar, a dream of his for years
I know he would watch the video of him racing over and over again
I know he was a leader in a furniture fundraiser through his church
I know he loved Jesus dearly and impacted many people’s lives
I know he was deeply loved by Shannon
I know that I want to live a life as full as he did
I know I want people celebrating my life 1000’s of miles away in an orange grove in Swaziland…
And that is exactly what we did. We took a guitar out into our backyard and as the sun was setting over the Swazi mountains we worshiped God and celebrated Dave’s life. Even though I never got the privilege of meeting Uncle Dave I’m glad I was able to celebrate a life well lived.
