A Final Lesson from Teacher John Buriff

John and one of his great-grandchildren

When Brian arrived in Oregon last week to see his dad one final time, he asked him what lesson he asked him to imagine he was back in his High School classroom and teaching one final lesson to his students.  Here is what he had to say.     

Ok class, this is the last lesson that I can offer you. 

First let me say that you are all great students. I have learned over the years that many of you have excelled and applied yourselves and ended up in a good position in life and work. I have fond memories of our time together at Red Bluff High School. I could name so many of you individually who demonstrated an eagerness to learn. It was your eagerness and thirst to learn that made teaching so special for me. 

My final lesson that I can impart is this: The life you live and every day you live it is important. The decisions you made years ago have made a big difference in who you are today. And the decisions you make today will make a big difference in who you are tomorrow. 

Most importantly invest as much energy into your spiritual life and faith in God as you do in matters of this physical life. Life will never be smooth and when things upset and challenge you, learn to find peace and to be forgiving. 

Again I am proud of each of you may students. I can agree with 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that I have fought the fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith. And now there is in store for me that crown of righteousness, which the Lord, my righteous Judge, will award me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing. 

--- John Buriff 

John

As I write this, my father-in-law is being transported to a hospice facility.  Brian is in the ambulance with him.  Once he arrives at the facility, family will line the h

all creating a welcoming party for him.  There are no plans for a funeral or memorial service but rather a celebration of life while he is still here with us.  Tonight, family will gather in his room and share memories and laughter, and I'm sure more than a few tears. 

I spoke with him yesterday to say "goodbye".  He was weak but he was very coherent and made it clear that he didn't want a sad goodbye but a celebration that he will be entering his eternal home with his Savior and those who have passed on before and he genuinely hoped that all those he is leaving behind will join him there one day. 

I thanked him for raising an amazing man for me to marry.  He said he was so very proud of all of his kids and grand kids and that he felt he was leaving things in good hands.  He has ten grandsons and almost every one of them has chosen a career path of service.  Some are in ministry.  One made a career of the Military.  Some are firefighters and one served as a police officer.  All of them are men who are leaders and compassionate, responsible individuals.  John had an awful lot to do with that.

I remember when Brian and I were newly married and were visiting his parents home for a while.  John was a high school science teacher and students would show up at the house for him to help them with their studies.  I was impressed.  What teacher does that?   That small act told me much about the man who had raised my husband.    Years later John serviced as a teacher in a mission school in Grand Cayman Island.  Whatever he was doing, he found a way to serve others and the legacy of service and giving continues on through each of his children and grand children.

His is certainly a life worth celebrating, but I do have to say that our hearts are heavy.  He will be missed. and our world will be dimmer in his absence.

Round and Round We Go

How is your new year going?   Ours is .... different... busy.... the same... yet different.  That makes total sense, right? 

This week has been weird.  I had nothing at all on my schedule except an NRA Range Safety Officer Course I'm teaching all day Saturday followed by a Meet the Instructor Event at the range Saturday evening.  And yet, it seems there are not enough hours to catch up on all that needs to be done. 

I'm still working my way through a stack of paperwork.  I still have one video left to record and upload for the ISD program for TWAW Shooting Chapters.  Every day there is something to do for 88 Tactical.  And then there are the normal things of life - errands that  need to be ran, the gym, church, cooking dinner, laundry, and a smattering of marketing stuff to do. 

I have made some changes this year.  I'm choosing to let some things ride a while and focusing more on taking care of me.  I do think that accounts for the less time to do other things and while it seems I'm backed up even with "time off".  Maybe I just had no idea how busy I was before??  My job is one that is unpredictable.  Yes, there are classes that I teach that are scheduled well in advance but at any time my phone may ring and change my day entirely. 

I'm the kind of person that likes to get things taken care of immediately, mainly so that I don't forget to do them.  My boss doesn't expect an immediate action, but I do it to keep stuff off my desk.  That has made it hard to get any sort of routine going.  That has changed this year.  Its important to have a solid foundation in life.  Faith, family, and yes, self-care, all will keep me grounded.

Well, enough about me.  How are you holding up in this wild ride of life?