Someone I know needs to know this..............
Friend, I don't know who you are but I do know that He will love you!
Praying for you now,
Julie
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Dealing with Death
This past Thursday an angel of the Lord came to Rupp Arena. The angel came to the men’s restroom on what is known here as the purple concourse. The angel came for one of the Lord’s own, His servant Julian Palmer. Julian started working for Lexington Center just shortly after dirt (the beginning of Rupp time). His smile and laughter graced the halls of this establishment for nearly 30 years before he decided to retire. After his retirement, Julian continued to work here for the local union group that moves in and rigs concerts. So, we’ve had the great pleasure of continuing our relationship with Julian.
Julian got up Thursday morning, like so many others, and headed to downtown Lexington. He came in, laughing, smiling and just being the wonderful man we’ve all known and loved for so long. Julian didn’t know this would be the day the Lord would call for him. He went to work just like he always did, but this day was different, this day he wasn’t feeling well so he excused himself and went to the restroom. I think the guys have determined that Joseph was the last one to see Julian alive as he walked away.
RJ was the first to notice that Julian hadn’t returned. He radioed Mike asking him to check the restroom and make sure Julian was okay. Mike went to the restroom on purple and there he found Julian’s body. The angel had already taken Julian Home. Something inside Mike knew this, but it didn’t stop him from trying to revive the man he so dearly loved. The man who had been one of his best friends for so many years. Mike radioed for help and soon there were others there trying desperately to find life in their friend. They worked hard, taking turns trying to push life back into the chest of the man they cared so deeply for. But the angel had already come for Julian, so all of their work couldn’t make a difference.
The EMT’s finally arrived and took over, loading Julian’s body onto a stretcher and whisking him away to the hospital where surely the doctors could bring life back. But the angel had already come for Julian. Julian was already Home.
The last good-byes were said to Julian at his funeral on Monday. What a beautiful, honoring service it was. I have always known that Julian was a Christ follower, but I had no clue how devoted he was to his Lord. Julian was a gentle giant - not big in physical terms, but a giant for the Lord. I know as Julian arrived in heaven and stretched out his arms to hug his Father the Lord was saying to him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
The offices and hallways of Lexington Center are now filled with sorrow and tears. Men crying, trying desperately to get those last images of their beloved friend out of their heads. Somehow, life will get back to normal here. Somehow, these men will smile and laugh again. They have beautiful memories of a wonderful man to help them along the way. They will survive, but these hallways will never hear Julian’s laughter again. He will never walk through that back door with that huge smile on his face. He will be missed for years to come. He will be loved until these men draw their last breath.
My heart breaks for Mike, RJ, Joseph, Jimmy and so many others. Please join me in praying for everyone here at Rupp as we begin to heal.
Praising Him through this storm,
Julie
Julian got up Thursday morning, like so many others, and headed to downtown Lexington. He came in, laughing, smiling and just being the wonderful man we’ve all known and loved for so long. Julian didn’t know this would be the day the Lord would call for him. He went to work just like he always did, but this day was different, this day he wasn’t feeling well so he excused himself and went to the restroom. I think the guys have determined that Joseph was the last one to see Julian alive as he walked away.
RJ was the first to notice that Julian hadn’t returned. He radioed Mike asking him to check the restroom and make sure Julian was okay. Mike went to the restroom on purple and there he found Julian’s body. The angel had already taken Julian Home. Something inside Mike knew this, but it didn’t stop him from trying to revive the man he so dearly loved. The man who had been one of his best friends for so many years. Mike radioed for help and soon there were others there trying desperately to find life in their friend. They worked hard, taking turns trying to push life back into the chest of the man they cared so deeply for. But the angel had already come for Julian, so all of their work couldn’t make a difference.
The EMT’s finally arrived and took over, loading Julian’s body onto a stretcher and whisking him away to the hospital where surely the doctors could bring life back. But the angel had already come for Julian. Julian was already Home.
The last good-byes were said to Julian at his funeral on Monday. What a beautiful, honoring service it was. I have always known that Julian was a Christ follower, but I had no clue how devoted he was to his Lord. Julian was a gentle giant - not big in physical terms, but a giant for the Lord. I know as Julian arrived in heaven and stretched out his arms to hug his Father the Lord was saying to him, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
The offices and hallways of Lexington Center are now filled with sorrow and tears. Men crying, trying desperately to get those last images of their beloved friend out of their heads. Somehow, life will get back to normal here. Somehow, these men will smile and laugh again. They have beautiful memories of a wonderful man to help them along the way. They will survive, but these hallways will never hear Julian’s laughter again. He will never walk through that back door with that huge smile on his face. He will be missed for years to come. He will be loved until these men draw their last breath.
My heart breaks for Mike, RJ, Joseph, Jimmy and so many others. Please join me in praying for everyone here at Rupp as we begin to heal.
Praising Him through this storm,
Julie
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