Shall We Gather at the River?

Goodbye to Innocence

We buried Clarissa Menchaca today.  I say "we" advisedly, for since our son was a passenger in the car when she was taken from us, our lives are inextricably linked with the Aguirre/Menchaca families and shall remain so forevermore.

Clarissa was only thirty, beautiful, a loving mother, and in the full flower of young womanhood.  Having graduated from the Christian Womens Job Corps, she was well on the way to a brighter life and future for herself and her children.  Clarissa was not perfect.  She made mistakes but tried to do her best.  The Bible tells us that all of us sin and fall short of the glory of God, not just some people.  That is why none of us is in a position to cast the first stone.

Innocence is lost and knowledge of the reality of life is gained.  As I sat in the chapel and looked at the many twentysomethings and thirtysomethings who were her friends and relatives, I knew that another hole had appeared in their armor of indestructibility.  Though she was not the first of their number to be claimed by disease and accident, her loss brought continued emphasis on the fact that bad things do not happen only to other people.  They can happen to you too.

Pastor David Danielson's comforting message of salvation reminded us all that Clarissa is in a better place, praising God continuously around the throne of His Grace.  By accepting Him into her life on Earth, she gained Life Eternal.  We are invited to do so as well.

Shall we gather at the river

Where bright angel feet have trod

Where the crystal tide forever

Flows by the throne of God.

Contributions for the support of her children are being accepted at Wells-Fargo bank.  Donations may be made to the Children of Clarissa Menchaca.