Gary Norman: Steady Eddie; Always

For the last twenty-five years, Gary Norman has had a place in our lives.  This started when Sheri and I tried Amway.  Gary was in our up-line.  He traveled to Roosevelt to help us a few times.  He and his brother (my brother-in-law) Mark had a significant role in our deciding to move to California.  We have now been living here for almost 21 years.  During that time we have had numerous parties with Mark and Dianna, Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, summer barbecue and others mixed in.  Gary's family would be there, and some other times other of Mark's family when they lived in the Bay Area.  We would usually go to Mark and Dianna's for these.  We would have exchange party before Christmas, would do Easter egg hunts with them, and have Thanksgiving dinner.  Gary would often bring something from the garden, or homemade jam.  Angie would make jell-o eggs.  Often I would find myself with Gary and Mark in the sitting room after dinner, and Sheri would be with Angie and Dianna.
Gary passed away unexpectedly this past.  Mark presented the eulogy.  The word he used to describe Gary was steady.  That is how I also saw him; steady.  Gary was consistent.  He was prepared, so he didn't have be be excitable at the last second.  He had a calm peaceful presence about him.  Mark used a scripture to describe his brother,
Mathew 25: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

The Bishop also spoke and summarized Gary's life with the word always.  He indicated that Gary was always ready to serve in all ways needed to get the job done.  

I have always thought of Gary being my elder, even though he is not.  Maybe that was from Amway days.  However one thing is for sure; my life has been blessed by knowing him and his example.