Alone, at the Bottom of the World (part 16)

Stuart Eyre

1999

There was one well-wisher on the reception deck of SS Australis (1973), whom I would see again. Stuart - or as the Trio pronounced it, Stew-ert. He had shared with us that year about his love-dislike relationship with the United States. But by the time we Americans had left New Zealand, his attitude toward the States had become all love. And Stuart wanted to see it.

He will come into our story in future posts, but for now it is enough to say:

He visited two of us from the Trio in Oregon, getting to know my brother's family and taking part in campus life for a time. He came to the rescue of my little sister in Nevada, taking her to the Winter Formal when her date had to cancel.  He stayed with my sister's family in California, ministering with them and getting to know more of Life's essentials, and no one wanted him to leave.

But after several months, Stuart left to participate in a ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ, in Fiji (for which he had to cut his hair! oh, the pain of it all, poor thing!).

We heard from Stuart when he completed the ministry in Fiji; when he finished University; when he became a teacher; when he became engaged and married Helen. And sadly, we heard from him when Helen passed away from cancer in the 1980's. They had two daughters.

1999

It was 25 years later, and still dark when the phone rang at our home in Hawaii. It took me a while to find the phone, but when the message came through I wished it hadn't. 

It was about Stuart. I finally comprehended that he had suffered a massive heart attack, and passed away that night. It was a shocking event, unexpected in a man still in his 40's. He was a vibrant and effective teacher and a wonderful and loving father to his girls. No one could believe it. No one wanted to believe it.

The Trio each knew themselves to be blessed in having known this loyal man. We had not known him as a teacher, or a University grad, or even as a family man. For us, he was that young guy who had been a great song writer with heart. Who had been the strong support of his family as a kid who didn't really know how; he only knew it needed to be done.

So, we said more goodbyes, this time from afar. We will forever miss Stuart - friend, teacher, brother, father, husband, faithful sharer of the Truth.

And it wasn't a final goodbye, either; for death is not a finality.

And I hope to see you along the Way.

God bless.