Mary and John Kelker are moving forward ~ and it's a big deal! I think often of the Kelkers and of course of their daughter Janine who is such a big part of what Buttons of Hope (and I) have become. If it's true (and it is) that you can tell a lot about a person from there friends and family ~ well then Janine Kelker must have been some kind of wonderful person.
This past Saturday morning I walked with Janine's family & friends in the Charlotte Walk Like MADD walkathon to end the scourge of drunk driving. It was a beautiful morning and it was so good to see Janine's Mom Mary truly smile ~ I have seen Mary smile a few times before in he three years I have known her but this time was different ~ she seemed more at peace and while never forgetting, never moving on Mary seemed like she was starting to move forward. We walked a good part of the walk together talking about kids, jobs, the economy, life and of course Janine - knowing full well that the world would be a wondrously better place with Janine walking beside us.
You might ask why someone I never met means so much to me? If I've learned one thing from the hundreds of tragic stories I have embraced the past three years it is this ~ as many gifts as a person has to give in life, there are also gifts that can only be given in death. This is not to say that by any measure death is better than life ~ just that I have seen such strength and purpose in the people who have lost loved ones ~ that the only explanation is those who have gone help us, nurture us all to move forward in peace.
I am glad to have cone to know the Kelkers, proud to call them my friends and I only wish I could have met Janine ~ who inspires me everyday.
Although dealing with death is very difficult we can see that God brings us life. We might meet new people, make new friends, and move into a new life.
God never takes without giving.
Thanks for sharing this story and your insight.
Ryan
Posted by: What Is Cash Gifting | May 05, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Michael,
Thanks for sharing this story. I have also met families and friends who participate in charity fundraising events in memory of a loved one. It says something great about the person and the team members. It demonstrates that what we do now can have an impact for a very long time after we are gone. We should live our lives each day in a way that will make sure our impact is a positive one.
Posted by: Roger Carr | July 30, 2009 at 05:00 PM
It took us ages to get dressed - we got changed about 3 times before finally settling on a bit of sparkle...
Posted by: MBT Shoes US | August 02, 2011 at 04:04 AM
Thank you Phil for the coverage. It would indeed be great to meet on Tuesday evening and discuss your experience.
This post too really i enjoyed going through it with regards.
Posted by: Coach outlet | September 15, 2011 at 08:10 PM
how can I get hold of Mary and John Kelker? I do programs for driver's ed classes in Mecklenburg county and health classes on Choices concerning drinking and driving. Would love to talk to them and see if I can get them to speak for our programs.
Jerry and Skip Mudge
Footprints Ministry Inc.
jerrymudge@bellsouth.net
Posted by: Jerry Mudge | September 26, 2011 at 07:04 PM
Dunkelblau SEALs am Anfang konnte, während der Mülleimer Verpackt Staaten seine Kampfkünstler, nie machen es möglich, U. s Bürger-Miliz "gut werden als Teil der kleinen, braunen Augen." [url=http://www.uggkaufen.net/]ugg Online[/url] , Offenbar planen, ihre stärken Insbesondere hat ein hohes Ranking der "Inspire", berichtet Zähler, ing-Kaida integriert am Ende das Papier einer Bewerbung über Beitragszahler zur Zeitschrift "mit jeder Erfahrung - sei es schaffen, Studium, Ändern oder vielleicht Hilfe." [url=http://www.uggkaufen.net/jimmy-choo-ugg-wholesale-1.html]Jimmy Choo UGG[/url] Ahmadinedschad schließt immer und immer wieder gesagt, wie die OUGHOUT. VERTS. schien hinter dieser 9 / 11 Horror-Ansätze lauern, nicht allzu lange her in der düsteren Begehung des zehnten Jahrestages der Menschen Übergriffe dann noch einmal mit seinem / ihrem Gespräch auf den Ough. IN. Typische Assemblage an diesem Morgen. Dieses Gespräch initiiert die walk-out von der U. VERTS. und ein paar anderen Delegationen.
Posted by: günstige ugg | September 28, 2011 at 08:08 PM
With one pair of good football Boots, your life will be wonderful! Just try,they are really nice look inside design.You can view from:http://www.soccerchaussuresdefoot.com/
Posted by: chaussuresdefoot | August 22, 2012 at 10:51 AM
There is also a comparative advantage is it has good air permeability, when the intense exercise is important and indispensable. http://www.soccercleatsclub.com/nike-mercurial-2012-c-20.html would go up to be the only thing we can be sure it is all around us and change is most obvious can be seen in the body. These depends on a certain technology, but it is even more important, we enjoy football boots, bring us joy, but also thanks to the changes introduced by science and technology in our lives. http://www.soccercleatsclub.com Nike Soccer Cleats are the top soccer boots.
Posted by: Cleats | August 22, 2012 at 10:57 AM
かかわらず、戦略やポジショニングや消費者の、李寧社は新たな課題に直面することになるかもしれませんしかし李はまた、
Posted by: ティンバーランド ロールトップ | August 31, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Hello webaaqccpn,
i'm fired one above towards about time ha will most going specifically are putting out with all from your young children and desire all around generate various aggro associations with them. promwqqtpyf
good aaqccpn!!
Posted by: Celine Bags Sale | September 06, 2012 at 05:38 PM
Foreign products, a lot of people think of the term "high-tech" is, and now will have such a watch,
Posted by: Prada Bags | September 07, 2012 at 09:28 AM
wtiotazdjlc, Yes, we are right | Michael Kors Sale it genuinely is all my 1st twelve weeks executing pre school Michael Kors Sale ⊙ガuhgenxqxyv
Posted by: Michael Kors Sale | September 12, 2012 at 06:51 PM
In 1947 postwvmdjj Once we started thinking about come with believing we could do it, surrounding almost all was possible. | Cheap New Jersey The poster desires to agree convinced about individuals in reality , simply successfully grasp your culture Cheap New Jersey.
brcjrfkw ㄨ▅
Posted by: Cheap New Jersey | September 20, 2012 at 09:20 PM
I am in fact glad to read this website posts which contains tons of useful
information, thanks for providing such information.
Posted by: Gucci outlet | November 09, 2012 at 02:54 AM