Date: 8/25/2009
<br>Author: Devin Pickard
<br>Title: Mrs. Peanut Butter
<br><br>Do you remember a few weeks ago I made mention that I wished I had recorded all the baptisms, weddings, and funerals that I had been privileged to take part in?  Well, just a couple of days after that bulletin went out, some kind soul anonymously provided me with a journal to keep track of all those events.  Do you know that in just that short time since, I have already logged in 6 names ..... 2 for baptisms and 4 for funerals.  It seems the older I get, the more I realize that life is just a revolving door toward death for us all.<br><br><br>The latest entry into my journal was not one that was unexpected.  As we all know, death for some comes as a thief in the night  and the blink of an eye straight out of nowhere.  It is unexpected and unprepared for.  For others though, death is expected, catches no one off guard, and is almost ushered in as welcome relief.  Such was the case recently for our wonderful sister in Christ, Claudine Haynes.  Death came as no surprise last Wednesday to Ms. Claudine or any of those who were so diligent and faithful to be by her side the last several weeks of her life.  Those who knew Claudine best said that she spent a great deal of her life being a caretaker to so many ..... whether it was friend, family or neighbor.  The last days of her life were spent as the “care-take-ee” rather than the caretaker ..... and trust me, there was no shortage of those who were willing to stay round the clock if need be.  Call it  karma, call it “what comes around goes around”, call it payback ..... call it what you want.  Claudine was always there for everyone else, it then finally came time for everyone else to be there for Claudine.<br><br><br>Claudine Haynes will be remembered for a whole bunch of stuff.  She will be remembered as a “card sender extraordinaire”.  During her illness, she would be quick to point out the stack of cards sent to her.  As big as that stack was though, I know it couldn't compare with the hundreds she had sent out over the years.  She will be remembered for her love of “bulletin folding Wednesdays”, and her equal love of those ladies she shared those   Wednesdays with.  She will be remembered for her love of that back pew in the auditorium at Fairfield, and again, her equal love for all the folks on the surrounding pews.  I suppose she will mostly just be remembered for being a fine southern, Christian lady.  She lived by the golden rule and was a good Samaritan to many.  In short, as a follower of Jesus, she walked her talk.<br><br><br>Claudine and I had at least one thing in common ..... as long as there were peanut butter and crackers somewhere near, we were good to go.  I have no doubt where Claudine has gone ..... and I'm glad.  Now I know there will be peanut butter and crackers already there when I arrive :)<br><br>Go the extra mile - Devin           <br>