4Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
“Here Mrs. Coconut!” that was the exuberant greeting I received from my second grade student, Cassie. Of course, Mrs. Coconut is not really my name, she just called me by whatever scent cologne she whiffed when she ran into the room. Cassie was giving me an Easter gift, though Easter was the previous week she kept forgetting to bring it to school. Each day I told her it was not necessary to give me an Easter gift, each day she told me it was! She was a very persistent girl, and with good reason, I found out later.
This was ‘Grandparent’s Day’ in our little Christian school. My 10 students were participating in a military tune and were able to skip the uniform in lieu military garb. Cassie stood in front of me with her camo pants and shirt, and the bag she wanted me to open right then! I pleaded with her that we had to get into the chapel, assembly would soon begin. She persisted. I gave in! Later I knew what the rush was about.
In my multi-colored shiny bag (she told me the bag came from her brothers birthday party the week before) were items that she insisted on pulling out and explaining to me. First was a pen, (she got the pen from her step-dad’s desk). She gave me the pen because, as she observed, I always lost mine. Next was a beautiful ripe grapefruit. “I know you are diabetic so I did not want to give you chocolate.” Came the explanation. She plunged her small hand into the large bag again and retrieved a small package of pink marshmallow chicks. Several we already gone. She explained, “I wanted you to have a little sweet, but not too much!” Of course, these came right out of her own Easter basket. Next, her own devotional book. I knew it was hers because her name was in it, scribbles from younger siblings dotted the pages, and her own notes as well. I insisted that I could not take her devotional. Of course, in her brutally honest way, she told me she had read it several times and was done with it. Last, but certainly not least, came a suncatcher that she made. It featured clouds, sun and rainbow. “Mrs. Coconut, you should always be looking into the heavens,” came that explanation.
I thanked her, hugged her, and we walked together into the rest of the day that would stand still in time! The children performed beautifully, and were given the option of going home with their parents, or staying with their class-mates. Cassie could not decide. I told her I could not make that decision for her, she would have fun either way. After some very careful debating in her curly Hawaiian head, she opted to go home. She hugged and kissed me, and left. Five minutes later she returned. I thought she might have changed her mind, she just wanted another hug, kiss, and an I love you Mrs. Coconut. That was the last glimpse I had of the effervescent Cassandra alive.
On the way home their van with four children and two parents was rear-ended leaving both Cassie and her step-dad…brain dead. Nadine, Cassie’s Mom, and Cassie’s 3 siblings survived with minor injuries.
Cassie always seemed to be living at a more intense altitude than the rest of us. She would be singing to people when they were sad. She really loved Jesus and would share her faith with others very freely. Grasping more mature truths of forgiveness, she would apologize with hugs if she felt she hurt you. She had a beautiful purpose in this world, and apparently she was able to fulfill it more quickly than most of us.
When I arrived home from the hospital on that cruel sunny day, I saw the bag my husband brought in from the car. The one Cassie gave me. The five gifts she gave me spoke to me than, and 21 years later, they still do.
First, a pen. Our mode of communicating love, truth, knowledge. How will people know about Jesus if we don’t tell them?
Next, her devotional book. I finally looked at the prophetic title; “God Wants ALL of Me.” He sure did, and got her that day!
Third, the grapefruit. She was well aquainted with the bitter parts of our lives. She wanted me to understand that also. And the marshmallows, well, sometimes you just need some sweet. That was Cassie. Her smile and raspy voice filled a room with joy.
Finally, the suncatcher gave us a glimpse of where she was headed, and where we should we be planning to go.
When I gave her life some thought today, again, I pondered, a race car and a horse and buggy can both be going to the same destination. Obviously, the race car will get there first. Cassie wanted all her class-mates, teachers, family and friends to reach destination Heaven. She just got there first. She always loved being first!
Barbara J Wickel
Donna, that was beautifully said. I miss her so much but my comfort is in knowing where she is. I bet she is leading the choir and giving Jesus orders.