Thursday, May 28, 2020
IN DEEP TRIBUTE & AFFECTION FOR THE LIFE of LORRAINE (LAURIE) SNYDER):
The First Testament of our Bible speaks of those faithful who have lived a long life as one who died "full of years." I take this as meaning far more and deeper than longevity but rather wisdom. I have known Lorraine for well over three decades, but time alone cannot measure the impact she has left upon me for the better, chiefly through our house church. Among those whom I love over my years in this movement & who have impacted upon me, Laurie stands tall as the greatest among the great. I smile, as I remember, that Lorraine intimidated me like no other in our house community; she seemed so stern. How wrong I was! Behind that seemingly tough demeanor (which she reserved for the injustices she confronted boldly), was a caring and loving sister. Lorraine walked with me through the most dishonest & turbulent period of my life, when my marriage was becoming unglued and remained by my side as stability returned. My only sibling is an older sister (by three years named Judy), and yet Lorraine became my older sister, always available in good times and bad. I remember a ceremony, organized by her family, to honor her life when a grandson (I believe) told of how he stood up in a high school class to proudly declare that his grandma had been arrested. I could repeat her Christ-like actions for those vulnerable & voiceless of our society in the name of the Jesus she followed faithfully & lovingly, but I see in the formal obituary that the family has named them well. You and Fred always gave me physical space at you home where I could crash, and I thank God that I received two blessed visits with you this year, where we laughed, reminisced and where you offered me that appropriate wisdom I needed to hear about a yet unresolved reconciliation in my own life. Sister Lorraine, I love you and will miss you so very much. You have left an indelible stamp on my very being. Across the Jordan you are now, embraced by our common Christ "where death and sorrow will be no more."
