FINISHING STRONG - A TRIBUTE TO ROGER

There's something BIG to be said about friends who have lived a life which was honourable, generous, full of faith and hope, admirable in word and deed, and then who suffered courageously. My friend Roger was one of those persons. He recently died of a Motor Neuron Disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

We watched this vivacious 57 year old man fight a disease which ravaged his healthy body reducing it to a skeleton of its former self. However, his spirit did not waver. He walked with a hope and fought courageously against this foe. He gave the rest of us more courage and shame (for ever complaining of our petty physical issues) as we cheered alongside him and his faithful wife Gaynor- right up to the end.

There's something BIG to be said about those who walk through the trials of life and carry on (not missing a beat). We've now lived life long enough to have seen how life's challenges derail individuals or grandly show what resilient stuff others are made of.

Finishing Strong is all about taking the "junk" of life and living through it with strength and hope beyond yourself. It's about a reliance on a heavenly strength that you knew you didn't possess. Finishing Strong is about courage and integrity. It's about picking oneself up once again (not being perfect) and getting right back on the bucking bronco. You are bolder, less beholden to the superficialities of life, more meaningful in your encounters, and more aware of how precious each day we have lived really was.

When Roger was my age, he didn't know that this train was going to hit him and that one day, when he woke up, life would never be the same. But, Roger was prepared spiritually. It was as if the whole of his former days had been spent wisely in preparation for this season. He lived life to it's fullest, he gave God credit for his joy and the big blessings in life, and he never blamed God for this disease. He knew that disease was part of the fallen world we all live in.

Roger looked towards another world. A Kingdom he couldn't fathom but trusted was there waiting for him with a whole cheering squad of others welcoming him "HOME". This faith kept him going through many a breathless, choking, weak moment. This Finishing Strong doesn't go unnoticed in the Kingdom Realm nor in this Earthly Realm.

Farewell, our Dear Roger! We know that you are dancing and singing with a new body.....

Well Done for Finishing Strong!

by Barbara James (works as an Educator in Europe)

A WALK IN THE CLOUDS WITH ROGER

KEVIN’S MEMORIES OF DEAR FRIEND ROGER RIDLEY

“G’day mate, beaut day for walking in the clouds isn’t it?”

Can’t remember when we met for our first walk down there in the Basel area yet you probably do – “another yappy bloke,” you probably said to yourself!!

What I do remember, having got to know you a little, was asking what the hell you were doing in the Schopfheim/Basel area. You very diplomatically referred to your mission of reaching out to those beyond the walls of the church. Reflecting on that response I now realise what a huge impact you and your wonderful wife Gaynor had on the greater community in which you lived. You proved a love of all people regardless of their religion, race or sexual orientation and we in turn loved you dearly for that.

“So how’s it going with the men’s modelling group that you instigated? Started one up here yet?” I recall a great deal of mirth, given an image of men strutting down a catwalk yet your modelling is real men’s stuff – boats, planes and trains – yeh!!!

Those Friday coffee mornings at Centrepoint in Basel were such fun, especially when you took charge of the “special” coffee making. There was always a big welcoming smile and hug and of course a very well made cappuccino. Those Anzac cookies of Gaynors were the icing on the cake. On the subject of food weren’t those walks in the Schopfheim area great, culminating in soup and crusty bread at your cosy welcoming home – oh, and those special cakes of Gaynors too. I trust the canteen up here is as good as the home cooks down there.

You did encourage us to attend movie nights at Centrepoint to view and discuss great Aussie TV series like Brides of Christ which really got us going – fun evenings indeed. Do you have digital TV up here? How many channels?

I know your involvement in the Basel Choir meant a chance for you to realise your passion for singing – we watched with pride as you sang your heart out one Christmas performance with “Sleigh Ride ”, my favourite, especially the crack of the whip being non other than your hand slapping your thigh – brilliant. They tell me there’s a pretty good choir up here too.

You know Roger, dinners at your home in Schopfheim were always a casual and welcoming experience with as many guests as possible huddled around the kitchen table devouring the famous Gaynor roast. I still laugh at the memory of the first time you asked us to hold hands in thanking the Lord for the meal and I made mention of the fact I had always wanted to hold your hand – we all cracked up and it took some time to restore the reverence your words required.

Remember that day when we were walking in Basel and you first complained of having no grip in your left hand – we now know it was God calling you on another mission for eternity.

Hey Roger, it’s getting pretty cloudy up here although there’s a gap in the cloud and a ray of sunshine beaming on a group down there in Perth – I reckon it’s your family and friends telling you they too want to come walk the clouds with you someday.

Hey, it’s been great walking and chatting with you mate - till next time. Tschuess. Kevin

(Kevin is our dear friend from Basel. He visited us for 2 nights back in October.
We treasure his friendship and care of us)