Honoring Ardy

On Friday, David and I had the opportunity to go on a date (thanks to the babysitting services provided by my parents). At the last minute, we decided to make a trip to Taylor. Of course we had to go by Ivanhoe's for ice cream. I had the most amazing strawberry shortcake imaginable while David settled for an old standard...for him, that is (the Trojan II which is a mint chocolate chip shake with cookie dough and a scoop of chocolate ice cream on top). After gorging on ice cream, David and I headed to campus for a walk.

We love taking walks on campus..maybe it's the nostalgia, maybe it's because we always feel grateful when we are there, maybe it's because of the beauty, or maybe it is a combination. Nonetheless, walks on Taylor campus are always a treat. David and I have been having very meaningful discussion regarding how Jesus would want us to give and what that might look like. Walks, especially ones without the kids, always allow us to have good conversations. In fact, most of our dates usually include a walk because of the value of the conversations we have at those times.

This past year, a new prayer chapel was built in the middle of campus. David and I went there for the first time in April. You cannot help but want to pray when you walk in this building. The new prayer chapel was erected to honor the lives of 4 Taylor students and a staff member who died in a terrible accident that occured in April of 2007. Just across the walkway from the pictures of those five individuals are several plaques. The plaques are engraved with names of individuals who Taylor refer to as "The Great Cloud of Witnesses". Recently an extremely important name was added to that list. That name is Ardy Smith.

It is hard to believe that Ardy has been gone for almost 9 years. She too suffered a similar death to those 5 individuals. Ardy was such an amazing woman. Though I am aware that she was not perfect, she sure was pretty close in the opinion of several people. Ardy had a way of making people feel uniquely special a characteristic that was passed down to both David and Danny. She had a beautiful smile and gave the best hugs. It is sad that we will not get to see Ardy interact with most of her grandchildren. Though I do believe that she is getting more time than I ever had with my precious little Zoe.

It was really special to see Ardy's name engraved with so many others who have had such great Christian influence on those with whom they interacted. Ardy will always be remembered. I am forever grateful for the man that she helped raised and influenced to such a great degree. I thank God and Ardy for David's passion for Jesus and for his ability to make people feel special (something that I am often the recipient of)!