Jumpa Lagi, Naomi

This past week a graduate or ours, Naomi Tami (Class of 2008), passed away suddenly from heart failure. Each year Dalat has former community members pass away, but this one hits home a little harder as Naomi’s presence is still felt around campus through students and staff who knew her and still remember her. It is hard to say goodbye to someone who is so young, but as believers in Christ we do have hope that we will see her again.

I had the opportunity to get to know Naomi as a sponsor for the class of 2008. If there is one word I would use to describe Naomi it would be “spunky.” Though she was small in stature, Naomi had a huge impact on whatever she got involved in. I know that she had many strong friendships that have carried on long past graduation. She will be sorely missed by so many.

As the news of her passing sunk in this week, I reflected on how fragile life is and I end this week with one of my favorite quotes from Max Lucado,

When you are in the final days of your life, what will you want? Will you hug that college degree in the walnut frame? Will you ask to be carried to the garage so you can sit in your car? Will you find comfort in rereading your financial statement? Of course not. What will matter then will be people. If relationships will matter most then, shouldn’t they matter most now?

I know for Naomi that this statement was something she lived out in her life. Her time on this earth was one filled with deep and caring relationships and this will ultimately be her legacy.

Jumpa lagi, Naomi.