It really truly is just the little things we do that matter so much <3

On Saturday, Russ and I went to the visitation of a man who was our Rachel’s high school golf coach. As God would design it, his wife had been our son-in-law Zach’s Kindergarten teacher. Both husband and wife hold dear and treasured memories from both sides of Zach and Rachel’s lives and families. 

We stood in the rather long line and saw many people, young and old, who had come to pay respects to this man that in our estimation is gone far too soon. 

As we passed the table of memorabilia from his life, we saw the typical pictures from his youth, wedding, young family and on through photos of him with their grandchildren. 

There were some framed photos of teams he had played on and teams he had coached and there laying on one of his Cardinal’s shirts was the little glass framed photo of the team Rachel played on under his coaching that is pictured above. 

We have the same one. 

I can’t tell you how it struck me to see those girls with their arms around each other grinning. I took the same photo on my own camera that day. It was the only golf team photo represented. 

While this was deeply touching, I was not prepared for the receiving line. 

The first person we came to was their son. Russ said our names and started to say how we knew them and the son said “Rachel Reimer” and then tears formed in his eyes and he had to turn away for a minute. 

He explained that the last few years of his dad’s coaching had been years he had moved into his young adult life. Pursuing career and family, he had not been able to attend things like he had when he was in college, but he knew that team because his dad would talk about the girls when he would call. 

We started to mention our son-in-law and immediately he remembered his mom having him as a student. 

This same scene was repeated when we spoke with their daughter and his wife. We assured them all that he had a great impact on our daughter and that Zach and his family cherish the blessing that she was his first teacher. 

There are so many things about this I want to say. The thoughts and emotions and revelations all tumble together and I have been deeply moved and humbled by this family. Their son mentioned that his father did not receive a lot of accolades and recognition for his coaching career, but he loved his athletes and cared so much about them. 

The word legacy comes to mind. 

Things like integrity and passion and investing in young lives. Showing up and caring. 

Caring enough to talk about your team to your family. Family that cares about what matters to each person. 

These are treasures that moth and rust won’t destroy. 

While we went to the funeral because this couple had such a positive impact through teaching and coaching in our family’s life, we weren’t prepared for the impact our kids had on theirs. It is a wonder to me to realize how our lives matter to other people.

A few years ago, I got to reconnect with my high school French teacher. I got to tell her how much her positive influence on my life mattered to me. She radiated love of learning and literature and Jesus, grace and elegance and a strong work ethic. And as I reconnected with her, I could see the impact she had on my life.

But she remembered me, too. She remembers my dad being a mentor to her as she was a young teacher and my dad had started the ROTC program in the high school around the same time. Her memories of my dad at a better place and time in his life brought me even more healing in his loss.

Those are also treasures moth and rust cannot destroy. 

With all the thoughts and lessons swirling around I can only pull up one to express to you today. God is so good to put us in community with others. We spend time with people for a season, but the memories become a part of who we are.

You really have no idea how much you, just being you, pouring into what you were called to do, matters to those around you. The give and take of relationships through where we live, learn, work, worship…they matter so much. 

We don’t get it right or feel like we do most of the time, but it is the journey…the walking out day by day, showing up and doing the thing to the best of our ability that day; caring about the people we are spending our time with, making space for failures and celebrating wins, valuing the lives of those who walk beside us…these are the heavenly treasures gained as we go through the earthly motions of living life daily on planet earth. 

God bless you today. 

You matter much. 

The love and care and time you spend on people is precious. 

Now carry on <3