Dear Editor:

The atmosphere was one of controlled seriousness at Zannie Murphy’s Celebration of Life and Benefit September 18. Friendliness, openness, smiles, tears, and love for Zannie and each other prevailed. If you were not there, you truly missed this good time for a man who has brought much happiness to many Selma residents for years.

It was a wonderful get together with great food, music and friends — just the way Zannie likes to live. Our thanks to the planners, organizers, and all who donated their time, talents and resources. Special thanks to Jerry Hatfield and Debbie Tillery for hosting this event. What a perfect place to have it!

Seriousness was in the realization for some of us that this might be the last time we see this old friend alive. All ages were there: including some old enough to be our parents, a few youngsters and teens. Everywhere there seemed to be wistfulness on faces of those 50-plus in years, a wondering at how we got to be this age with bodies diseased or failing us in some ways. I dare say no one there in that age group, no matter how fit, could say they felt as young physically as once upon a time…. But, that notwithstanding, our minds, thankfully feel eternally young and ready to take on the next challenge in life.

Zannie has certainly done a good job of that. His spirit, his courage, his love of life ever ongoing. His body, they say, wearing out fast; his mind sharp as ever and caring still.

I knew Zannie in passing during high school in the 60s, not well at all. It is great to meet him again now, hear and see his faith in the Lord Jesus! You know, Zannie, you would have made a great apostle, one of the 12 following Jesus around loving Him and teaching others of Him. In fact, I’m not so sure you’re not a modern day one!

Looking at life and death issues always brings to mind a poem sent me when my dad died 32 years ago. Author unknown, the little card said, “Life is eternal and love is immortal, and death is only an horizon, and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.” Announcement of Zannie’s diseased state has given us a chance to stop and reflect on friendship, life and its worth, eternity and how we should live. Our lives don’t come with warrantees unless we hand them over to the One who made us. Even then, being in a fallen world, our mortal bodies will fade away like the grass and flowers wither and fall in Isaiah 40:8. As this passage also says, the “word of our God stands forever.” God’s Word is the only thing that is lasting. So, we must find how to live for the eternal like our friend Zannie is doing. We should live each day looking toward eternity because, like Zannie, we may not be given time to have a celebration.

Go on to heaven, brother, get with those gone before and start organizing for the biggest class reunion ever! We’ll do our best to follow. What a charge you have left with us – not to feel sorry for you but to live so we will be in heaven, too!

Contributions can be made to the Zannie Murphy Medical Fund at Marion Bank and Trust, Selma, Alabama 36701. For further updates and pictures, see Friends of Zannie on Facebook.

Gail Box Ingram

Valley Grande