Happy Justin Day!
For
those of you who are not familiar with this holiday, Justin Day
commemorates the birthday of my brother Justin who would have turned 27
today had he not had an unfortunate accident involving a mountain and
not listening to his sister almost ten years ago.
Some time ago, I came up with a list of ways to observe Justin Day (see
http://jilliansjourneys.blogspot.com/2007/09/justin-day.html), but this year I got to thinking. Justin Day is essentially a birthday celebration, and birthdays are supposed to be fun.
In light of this new understanding, I have some new suggestions for ways to celebrate Justin Day:
1.
Make a cake or do something else ridiculously indulgent. Life is too
short not to use every excuse to celebrate it, and Justin loved cake.
Once he ate an entire sheet cake by himself. In the name of good
health, I do not recommend such excess, but you get the general idea.
2. Call up or contact any brothers or brother-figures you
have. Brothers are a gift, not to be taken for granted, and life is
short. Show them some love.
3. Encourage a high school
student to be the best they can be. Justin was the person so many of us
loved because so many people invested so much care into him while he
was still young.
4. Reminisce about your own high school years and celebrate
what you were able to do with that time. Tonight, Stephen and I will be
celebrating by looking at and laughing at our terrible high school
student films and writing. Justin prided himself in not taking himself
too seriously, and his birthday is a great time to laugh and celebrate
personal growth.
Right now, I am sitting in the Andrews Library, and for the
first time, I can't help but think about how Justin very well might be
at seminary with me right now were it not for his unfortunate accident.
He loved God and was passionate about the good news. A part of that
good news is that I will see him again. The other good news is that God
is wise; He knew my brother better than I, and did not allow him to fall
without it being of deep, lasting significance.
God has a plan for your life and for mine. Go show a brother some love.
