An All Too Short Life All Too Well Lived

A man whose candle burned far brighter than my own said it first and best.

“I felt my heart strangely warmed.”

John Wesley’s ancient reflection so adequately expresses the way I felt today. 

I attended the dedication of a granite marker and magnolia tree to commemorate the life of a precious young lady named Apryl Foster; who seemingly left us before her time.

“Almost home” sadly describes where she found herself a year ago when she lost her life in a tragic one vehicle accident. Surveillance footage showed Apryl pulling over to assist a homeless person that evening; just prior to the accident. And this restaurant trainer/server/vocalist was known to friends and strangers, alike for her selflessness, and gift of service. 

Her creed was,

“No one too insignificant or unimportant to help or encourage.”

Odd, the commonality of the human experience. 

Molly, a selfless young cousin of mine who volunteered in an orphanage for disabled children, and died in the great Haitian earthquake of 2010. Another young relative who was involved in a one car accident, and though years have passed, Juliana is still recovering. My own daughter who was missing for the same length of time as Apryl. Only to be found safe in the end. Another daughter, Mary, is mentally ill and borderline retarded, and I have grieved the loss of a young life who received something too much like a death sentence. To be fair, not exactly death. But not exactly life. 

I was privileged to create an online memorial page for Apryl shortly after the accident, and over the past year have gained some understanding of, and appreciation for her life; as the result of news reports, and my interaction with her mother, Peggy. 

I would be hard pressed to characterize Apryl’s life any better than one especially poignant paragraph in her obituary:

“Apryl will be remembered for her great sense of humor, her incredible crafting and design abilities, her talented writing skills, and her amazing vocal ability; described by one of her follower's as the “voice of an angel.” But most of all for her radiant smile. Apryl will be remembered for her love and compassion for others and her unwavering allegiance to encourage and help those in need; those (individuals who were fortunate enough to) cross the pathways of her life.”

As my wife and I walked onto the restaurant property today, I immediately noticed Apryl’s mother engaged in conversation with a couple of her friends. To the left was a basket of (her favorite color) yellow ribbons, and as each individual filed in, he or she pinned one to their shirt or dress.

Jean and I had no sooner found a seat than Peggy walked up to where we sat, greeted us, and asked if I was whom she believed me to be. Then the effervescent woman hugged us both, and welcomed us to the event. (I was frankly surprised that she had apparently recognized me from a much younger picture on a media site).

The closest thing to a minor mishap occurred, just prior to the dedication of the tree and marker, as a young lady sat down on one end of an empty bench in front of us. And as the unoccupied side lifted off the ground, and she prepared to “greet” the earth beneath her, I reached out to steady the end closest to me. Thankfully, she regained her balance, and managed to avoid what appeared to be an almost inevitable assault on her dignity.

(A rather minor mishap in the scheme of things, as I once organized a grave marking ceremony for my Revolutionary War 3x great Grandfather, and contracted with a couple of bagpipers to play “Amazing Grace.” Sadly, I can report that their rendition of “Amazing Grace” was only amazing for our inability to distinguish it from “Jingle Bells.”)

The marker and tree dedication commenced, and it was poignant for both its brevity and content. And as each of the individuals selected to participate shared their memories of Apryl, my wife and I found ourselves wiping away tears.

Mrs. Beman reminisced how that in the days following her daughter’s passing, she found herself wondering why God had chosen to take Apryl at the youthful age of 33; when so many others have been granted long, though perhaps unproductive lives. And it occurred to Peggy that Apryl’s work was simply …done. 

And, in turn, it occurred to me that I had never heard the passing of a young person described in that exact manner before. 

 For after all, God has been faithful to remind us that, 

“Before you ever took your first breath, I planned every day of your life.” (Psalm 139:16)

A childhood friend spoke of her love and respect for the dear young lady. And as she concluded her teary reflection, Apryl’s dad stepped forward and wrapped his right arm around her. 

And with this, Rev. Beman proceeded to share some relevant considerations from the Old and New Testaments. 

It seems Apryl had read the Book of Lamentations prior to her death, and made her father aware of having done so. And with this, the good minister reflected on Jeremiah’s well known text from that book of scripture.

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

In trouble or peace, good or bad, sickness or health, life or death

… Great is His faithfulness

As Rev. Beman ended his remarks he quoted what has to be the most succinct biblical description of the manner that any of us have been afforded to approach a just and loving God.

“That if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, …you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

And with this, he encouraged his listeners to speak with him privately, if anyone had taken the opportunity to receive Christ as Savior.

As the ceremony concluded, a young lady sprinkled some of Apryl’s rich Nebraska soil around the base of the young magnolia tree, and her employers pulled a yellow cloth from the granite marker, beneath.

Tree Planted

in Loving Memory of

APRYL FOSTER

Daughter, Friend, Colleague

Apryl's ashes had previously been sprinkled in the beautiful springs near the waterfall at Water Works Park in Tampa Heights; adjacent to the Ulele Restaurant where she was employed, and the tree and marker which now commemorate her life.

And I think the final words of an iconic movie bespeak well the site of her final resting place, and the stone tribute which memorializes a life well-lived.

Eventually,

all things merge into one...

and a river runs through it.

The river was cut

by the world's great flood...

and runs over rocks

from the basement of time.

On some of the rocks

are timeless raindrops.

Under the rocks are the words...

and some of the words are hers.


By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 28. Copyright pending

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