How I Know Keith

Let me tell you about Keith.

I went to visit an old friend, B, in southern Oregon back in March. She and I hadn't seen each other in years. The last time I saw her JM was a year old and she was pregnant with her third child. That child is five now. It was great to see her.

Her husband, T, is a contractor. He also has a soft spot in his heart for people who need a step up in the world. When I visited last March, Keith was working for T. From what I heard from B, Keith is young. Early 20's. No father in his life, and mother who can't stop the nasty criticism. She specializes in finding ways to insult Keith.

Well, Keith has lived on his own since his early teens. He has also struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol for most of his life. T hired him in hopes of giving Keith that step up. I think Keith looked at T as that father he never had. T has that gentle man's spirit about him. He's pretty funny, mostly quiet, and has known the Lord most of his life, so he has wisdom. Keith never had that. His relationship with God has been new, and already tested by the addiction. T and B invested their hearts and souls, home and family into Keith.

When I met Keith, he offered to detail my minivan for $50.00. I saw what he had done to T and B's car, and said absolutely. He took four hours to pull all the seats out, shampoo the carpets, Armor All all the surfaces, fished out about 100 crusty french fries, then started on the exterior. When I walked outside about half way through the project, it looked like Sanford and Son on the driveway. Every nook and cranny of my van got a working over, and I felt like I had a new car.

Best $50.00 I have spent in a long time.

The next time I saw Keith was in August. He had a few hard knocks with T. He almost lost his job because that addiction was creeping in and he was making bad decisions. Many people were questioning T why he was giving Keith another chance. I got to see Keith and chat with him about the weather in August. I also got to meet Nolan, a friend of Keith's and another employee of T's. Another hard knock case, plus he has a six year old son that he is trying to keep up the child support payments on.

I saw Keith about 10 days or so ago. I was in southern Oregon again for some candle parties. This time I had our small sedan. He offered to detail it, and buff the snickers out of it. I was shocked to see how much he was able to buff out the key marks someone at a grocery store had left for me. He detailed the car while I watched kids in the front yard. If you look at the pictures below, BH on the hippity hop--that is where we were, with Keith behind us.

That was a hectic afternoon. We almost locked the keys to the car in the trunk. I got to meet Keith's girlfriend, who helped with the Armor All. Then I had to rush off to a candle party. I arrived at Tracy's house. Tracy was impressed by the car, and said she might be calling B so she can have some work done. My hubbie asked me "Who's car is that in the driveway?" Joking about how great of a job Keith did.

I got to talk to B a bit about Keith a little bit on that visit only ten days ago. Keith was really trying hard to make it good with his girlfriend. He wanted to marry her someday. She comes from an almost rougher background that he does. But two broken souls, trying to love God, and make their way in the world together, keep their addictions at bay, and not let the past ruin their futures. It's the stuff of Hollywood. They were incredibly cute together.

God has other plans. I got an email from B this afternoon. Keith, Nolan and another friend were killed in a car accident early this morning. Click here for the news regarding that.

B and I talked/cried on the phone. She has her kids at home with her today, and she has to keep a happy face. I am off to a meeting I am conducting, and can't have makeup running down my face. So much to talk about and agree on--thank the Lord above that Keith had his relationship with God in place. B seemed to be wondering if he was high when it happened. Her pastor brought up a good point--it doesn't matter. How many of us are in "sin" while driving a car, whether it is drugs, swearing at the car next to us, speeding, etc. We also are concerned for Keith's girlfriend. Please please pray for her. She is so fragile right now. Such a baby Christian, with so little support from family. Pray the newfound church family she has found will be what she needs. She is so young! Keith was so young! Nolan was so young! Nolan has a young child. T no longer has a workforce for his business. So much loss in one moment.

We also agreed, he is free. No more pounding his head against the wall of his addiction. B and I agreed, of all the people we have known in our lifetimes--Keith worked harder than anyone we know to beat it, and worked at it minute by minute. Now, he is enjoying the golden streets of heaven, addiction free, ready to do the work the Lord has set for him not on this earth. For that, I am happy beyond belief for Keith.

I came home tonight looking at the interior of my car. Knowing Keith's hands have touched almost every surface with care and precision. Knowing he has buffed the exterior watching every angle to make sure it was smooth as silk. It felt like he was all around me.

I would give in a second to take the place of these young people that I have lost in the last month. Jessica who had so many gifts about to be given to this world. Keith about to take the next steps in adulthood. They have so much to offer! So much ahead of them.

I can't take many more emails like the ones I have gotten in recent weeks.