This morning was my last day in Colorado for a little while. I really wanted to spend the morning on top of a mountain with God before heading back to Austin. I decided it was too far of a drive so I ended up at the Columbine Memorial. I graduated from Columbine 32 years ago so it has a special place in my heart.
When I arrived at the park I had a little bit of a hike to get to the memorial. When I got there I was completely alone. Soon a man from Atlanta came and was paying his respects. As I walked through the memorial I was overwhelmed again by the number of people that suffered loss that day. I went through the memorial reading tribute after tribute of the people that lost their lives. I was especially moved by the memorial of Kyle Albert Velasquez which read,
"A young man, who as a child struggled with developmental delays and learning disabilities. He knew his limitations, yet wanted to be like every other kid. He was just beginning to really like who he was. Kyle taught those who loved him so much about unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, perseverance, and acceptance. He was a true friend to those who chose to take the time to know him. He loved his brother Daniel, the family cats, ice cream, pizza, and riding his bike. He spent his time at home with his family watching sports with dad and going to the library with mom. Kyle had been a student at Columbine only three months and was just beginning to spread his wings. The world around him was beginning to open up for a young boy who had struggled through school and life. But, through all his delays and difficulties, he always smiled, forgave, and saw the GOOD in those around him.
Kyle was and is very much loved. He will always be missed and never forgotten."
I was so moved by his story that I started writing it down to share with you. As I was writing, I looked to my left and a young man with Down Syndrome was suddenly by my side. He extended his hand to me and introduced himself as "Chris." He said, "I have come to pay my respects. Then his eyes started to water and he said, "Kids should not have to deal with this. It is wrong." I introduced myself to him and then he started introducing me to some of his friends who had followed him in. I shook their hands and got to know them a little bit. Chris shared a little bit about his life with me and that he serves at his church as an usher.
I shared with Chris about our ministry and that we were hoping to provide training in March for the Denver area. Then he and his coach started sharing all kinds of churches for me to contact that would be interested.
Just as quickly as Chris had appeared, he was quickly gone. My eyes kept watering up as I thought about all the ways God had gone before me. I looked at Kyle's memorial again and the things people had left out of love by the memorials. There were ribbons, bracelets, kerchiefs, and Bibles. I wanted to leave something for Kyle, but wasn't sure what. I looked down at the Bible I was holding and saw the beautiful bookmark that one of my students had made to raise money for a wheelchair for a child that needed one. I tucked Suzy's bookmark underneath the ribbon and knew that Suzy would be pleased. It represented Suzy's love and compassion, as well as all of her classmates.
The Columbine Memorial is full of pain and sorrow, but it also represents life and how we shouldn't take it for granted. So many of the quotes there are beautiful, but I would like to close with this one,
"Rather than a loss of innocence, I've got to hope that something like this encourages us to be better people."
I feel like God blessed me with two angels today, Kyle and Chris. I am so grateful.
