Between Good Friday and Easter of this year, a sweet young woman from my church, the daughter of a dear friend, went home to be with Jesus. She fought a week-long battle with complications from the flu that infected her heart. And yet her heart shines brightly even still.

Last week at a celebration of her life, hundreds of people packed the auditorium of her high school. It was literally standing room only, with close to 25 people in each of the entryways.

Nina loved and was loved. She loved because she knew that she was loved by Jesus. She would have loved how clearly the Gospel was preached in remembrance of her.

I wrote this poem for her parents, who said it was okay to post it here.

NINA

Nina, with her heart of gold
will be forever missed
Stories of her grace be told
her love will ever persist

Immanuel has called her home
before we were all through
Watching as this earth she roamed
her dreams to still come true

Never will she be forgot
her memory kept alive
All the music that she brought
will continue and thrive

Although she is no longer here
and tears our eyes now stain
We know the Lord holds her near
so we’ll see her once again