life's lessons - c/- Andy Atkinson

It's funny how such a tragic event such as an unexpected death can really put everything into perspective. Whether you're the person's best friend, or they're someone you'd met years ago but gotten to know better in the last couple of years. It's amazing how someone can have such a huge impact on you, not only through their life, but also through their death.
Today I went to the funeral of Andy Atkinson ... a guy who lived against many obstacles, setbacks, illness, but lived a fuller life than most of us who are well and living a "normal" life. He impacted people wherever he went, and it was evident by the fact there were probably close to 1500 people at the funeral today. He'd battled illness with chrones disease since the age of 13, yet ironically it was a fun jump into a river off a bridge that took his life.
As it was mentioned at the funeral, he jumped into the air as the centre of attention and God reached out his hand to catch him. We might not understand why he had to go now, it doesn't seem right, or fair. It helps to know without a doubt where he has gone, and to know that at least someone (God) has the bigger picture. But it doesn't make it easier to get your head around the whole situation. A 22 year old who'd gotten his health back to a great level, had his latest business venture take off like a fire, and put a little bit.... no actually a lot.... of his personality and charisma into every situation. Andy shone not only as an entrepeneur, an adventure seeker, a true friend to those he was close to, a people lover, but most of all as a constant reflection of who God had created him to be. He loved God with all his heart, and even his diary entry the day before his death showed his hearts cry for people who needed his help and God's help. He had a heart after God's purpose for his life, and even through his illness at the lowest points, he showed strength in his faith which has been a lesson to all those around him. Any of us who weren't that close to him during the worst of his sickness heard many stories today of a young man who was so determined not to let his circumstances control who he was or how he lived. He pushed life to its limits, rather than allowing life to limit him, and he's an inspiration to us all.
It's been a wake up call to me today...I've already been thinking alot lately about not living a life of mediocrity, but today it became so much clearer. Andy reminded me, even through his funeral that God has so many plans for each of us, but we have to have our eyes in the right direction to see where we should be going. He showed me that nothing is impossible ... or at least that you can't say it is until you've given it a try. He wasn't afraid to try new things, in fact he lived his life on a constant of new inventions, ideas, friends, he never stopped doing what he loved. He loved anything that took him closer to people, and allowed him to impact their life and show them what was important in his life. His faith reminded me to check my own heart and my focus in life, to keep focussed on what's real to me, on what means the most to me, and the people around me. I don't doubt for a minute that Andy is with God now, with no pain or suffering from the symptoms of crones which would have come back at some stage. He's having the most awesome fun ever, where he can't hurt himself doing so, and can do as many flips as he wants!

Whatever Andy did he did it to reach people... he was infectious in the best of ways, and I have the utmost respect for him for that. He may be gone, but never forgotten, and has left many lessons in my heart through his life and his death, a lot more than what I've talked about here. I pray for his family, especially his twin brother Dave. I can't imagine the pain of losing someone so close. But I know God is watching over them all, and I know Andy's smiling down thinking how cool it was that his hearst got a police escort out of the church carpark today If you knew him you'd smile at that. If you knew him you'd smile even just at the thought of the person he was.

RIP Andy ... see you in eternity. I know you're up there partying in heaven, who though heaven could get any more fun, but now you're there it'll be awesome!! just wish you hadn't gone so soon.