Written by Misty Bowers – We lost a voice we have heard on the radio for years bringing joy and laughter to so many. We lost a friend, husband, father, son, brother. Many of us knew Brian Wade through so many of his community activities. Most all who knew him have been touched by the kindness of his heart, a listening ear, an encouraging word, a contagious smile.

I had the privilege of working with and for Brian and calling him a friend for close to 15 years. We talked about our families, our kids, our jobs.  We joked, laughed and, at times, commiserated. I was honored to call him a friend. But, that was Brian. Everyone who met him was his friend. Everyone who met him remembered him, liked him, loved him.

As I sat in the memorial service listening to friends and family tell stories – some I had heard, others I hadn’t – it became overwhelmingly apparent that in his few short years, Brian had impacted everyone he had met. He very quietly and unassumingly left footprints of Jesus wherever he went. Self-sacrificing. Serving. Caring. These were all words used to describe him. And they were not just words someone strained to come up with so they had something nice to say. Time and time again, story after story. These were the words that were repeated. This is how he will be remembered.

He never shared everything he did. His actions were felt only by the one on the receiving end of his kindness. He didn’t talk about his charitable deeds, his thoughtful acts. He just did them never expecting to receive anything in return or to hear any accolades. It was who he was.

I can’t make sense of the fact that he’s gone, but I rest in knowing that he is with the Lord he loved and served. He did more to share the love of Jesus in his 42 short years than many of us will in our entire lifetime. And even in his passing, he is still encouraging and inspiring us all to a higher standard of serving and loving. Like he did. Like Jesus did. He left an indelible mark on his world, on our world, but none of it was done for his own notoriety or fame.

Brian was a runner and no stranger to dedication, hard work and consistency. It was yet another way he inspired those of us who knew him. So, I think it is apt to say that he has fought the good fight. He has finished the race. He has kept the faith. Even though this race felt more like a sprint than the marathons he was used to, the crown he has received far outshines any medals he has ever won.

For those of us left behind, I pray we follow Brian’s example: self-sacrificing, serving, caring. And, please, take every opportunity to tell those special people how special they are, how they have impacted your life, influenced you, made a difference. Life is too short.