Have you ever had a person who touched your life in such a way that it was life changing?  I have had several people in my life who have done this but there was one person in particular that left a huge impact for me.  Most of you would not even know who this person is or even have ever met her.  Let me tell you a little about her and what made her different.

She was born to the Wilson family over in the continent of Africa….while she was a very young girl, her parents, my in-laws became missionaries.  She grew up on the mission field learning how to serve others, love people who many might not love and in doing this she found her love of children.  Eventually she moved to New Jersey and her life continued in serving others and teaching children.  Annette loved crafts and enjoyed being with her family and helping her mom with setting the Sunday table for the guests, family and missionaries that would come to “The Sunday Meal”, as they said in the family.

I came on the picture when Annette was a grown woman and living in NJ.  She moved here with her parents and 3 brothers to set up home here.  I met Annette and her brother Graeme at a “College and Career” event at church and from there Annette and I became good friends and later her brother Graeme became my husband.

There is not a week that does not go by that I do not see a craft, a little something in a store, a bible verse or just a thought that brings me back to the Memory of this special lady.

Annette passed away at the age of 41 but left a legacy to many and I am one of the many!  Annette’s last days were spent at a children’s camp where she was a counselor to them, a friend, a mentor and someone they could feel safe with and share their hearts.  Annette was on top of a green grassy hill, sitting in the sunshine, and under a large tree.  I can just picture her sitting there with her beautiful full red hair blowing in the breeze that day as she taught 5 or 6 young girls how to do needle work.  All of a sudden she had a very painful headache and went to the infirmary for some meds and the rest is history.  In that short moment in time….Annette passed from the green grass to the streets of gold. Needless to say shock was the term we all used and these young girls were left wondering where Miss Annette went.

I share this with you because the last moment of time of what always stays with me.  Annette took the time from her schedule first of all to spend time at a camp to teach a counsel.  She took the time to sit with young girls and listen to their stories and hearts.  She took the time to teach a craft that is a lost art of many of us.  She took the time to invest in a life.

Annette will always remain my sister-in-law that passed away suddenly…..but she will always be the woman who left a lifelong memory of being there for others, being there to serve in places that I might not necessarily want to serve, being a woman who taught me to remember that children were a gift that the Lord sent us and that He said let the little children come unto me!

Thank you …Annette for this lifelong lesson that you taught me.  I am still here carrying on your work of teaching children in our kids program at church and carrying on your lesson of investing in others’ lives.

Take up the challenge and carry on the touch of a life lesson that someone taught you or showed you.  Don’t let their life and memories fade away.

Let me know what the torch is that you are carrying on….how are you investing in other lives?  I would so love to hear from you!

Lynn A.C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother