Wow. This is the second memorial tribute in a row here on this blog. You'd think I had nothing better to do all day than read the obituaries!

I read in the paper that a schoolmate of mine passed away. He was a year ahead of me in school, and our paths only crossed for a few months in my junior year.

We both tried out for the spring musical "Fiddler on the Roof." Denny wanted so, so badly to get the part of Motel, the suitor of Tevye's oldest daughter. He went "all out" at the audition, singing Motel's song "Miracle of Miracles." He got that part, and I got the part of one of the other daughters.

One day at lunch, he sat across from me. I had bought my lunch; he showed up with a brown paper bag and a thermos. With a string hanging down the outside. Curious, I waited while he opened it up, pulled on the string, and pulled out two hot dogs, steaming from their boiling-water bath.

As he continued to prepare his lunch, he started talking to me about JESUS. Now, it being 1972, the Jesus Freaks were out in force. I politely let him state his case, then responded that I didn't see the need to embrace the new Jesus thing.

You see, we were Catholic (it was a Catholic high school), and, well, I told him I already believed all that stuff. I felt privileged to pray to the Father, and didn't see the need to add Jesus to the mix. It went, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and that to me meant that the Father was most important.

I made a new commitment to the Lord in 1975, that made a great change in my life. I still believe that I was saved in third grade, at my Confirmation, where I made a public pronouncement of my desire to follow the Lord my whole life. As a matter of fact, when I "got saved" in 1975 (tho' I really don't use that term to describe that encounter), nothing really changed in my relationship with Jesus. Outward things changed--reading my Bible, praying often, lifestyle changes. But I think that the changes were a result of God saying to me, in effect, "now you're grownup--it's Time To Get Serious."

I have not seen Denny Kite since his graduation, 37 years ago. But I have thought of him often through the years, witnessing to me over two hot-dogs-on-a-string. I rejoice with his family today, knowing he is worshipping the Lord, face to face. He faithfully witnessed of the "hope that was in him," and I thank God for that.

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Posted by Pinky Marie

I remember this name very vividly, Barbie Heart. But I do not recall anyone at the School talking about Jesus in the 1960's when I attended. We were still very, very Catholic and that was all we thought there was to life. It wasn't until much later when you told me of your encounter with "Jesus" that I'd ever heard such talk. And while it took me another 8 years to understand what it was you told me, I see this marvelous chain linking all the many hearts along the way to introduce us to Him in a new and personal way. And for this, I too thank Denny Kite.

"Sunrise, sunset...one season following another...laden with happiness and tears."

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