When I think
of Mrs. Williams, who recently went on to be with the Lord this year, I can’t help but
also think of Mr. Williams (affectionately called Speed by some) , who
transitioned in 2015, and how their
relationship was summed up through my experience
with them as a child. As I think back now, I know it was the Lord. It had to have been the love of Jesus Christ that made me feel so
good after each visit to their home in the town we both resided located in Linden,
New Jersey.
As a child,
you don’t really know what experiences will impact you in the ways that they do
until you find yourself reflecting on them as an adult. You then begin to understand how they helped
shaped you or have influenced you in some way or another. Something so seemingly small could be the most
significant which is why I believe all adults have a mature obligation to exhibit healthy behaviors in the presence
of all children as well as showing them
love and kindness. This can not only help them get through a day, but –
so too – can make a positive difference
in their lives.
Every time I visited the Williams’ home because of my childhood friendship with their
youngest daughter, Shirley, I felt love and such a warm welcoming spirit from them. It was
a love that not only exuded from them, but also from all three of their children. It was electrifying.
Mr. Williams
may be outside in the driveway looking
into the open hood of a car but never too busy to greet me with a smile like I
made his day just by showing up. Mrs.
Williams may have just finished churning her homemade ice cream – which was so
good – but was always ready to let me have a nice size portion of it. I never knew you could make ice cream at home
and thought it could only be bought in a store. I was blown away that you could make your own
ice cream. Shirley recently told me that
it was her Aunt Emma’s recipe; but nevertheless, Mrs. Williams put her foot in it! Of course, not literally! It was
better than any store-bought ice cream I have ever had to this day and so lip
licking indescribably good!
I don’t know why, but I imagine Mr. and Mrs.
Williams as the young couple I witnessed in the movie “The Notebook.” I suppose it was the love felt between the
two movie actors on screen as well as the love felt when in the presence of Mr.
and Mrs. Williams.
I realize
now that it had to have been Mr. and
Mrs. Williams’ love for God which was the guiding post in how they lived their lives. They both served faithfully in the church
they attended in Newark, New Jersey - Mr.
Williams as a deacon and Mrs. Williams a
deaconess - . and undoubtedly their love
and understanding of Jesus Christ and what He did on Calvary’s Cross is what helped
them be an example of who He was.
I’m sorry I
didn’t get an opportunity to interact more with Mr. and Mrs. Williams as an
adult, but so grateful to God that the Williams family was a part of my life. It
was something about that family that made me feel good. I will cherish those childhood memories shared with them and thank God for
the experience and impact it has made on my life.
Yetta N.A.
PMB 1097
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
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