My Friend, The Shanster

It is nearing the one year anniversary of the death of my friend, The Shanster aka Mark Shannon aka Mark Jackson Fullerton.  He was a descendant of Andrew Jackson, you know.  Rarely a day passes that I don't think of him and when golf time rolls around, he is everywhere.  Not a great golfer but an avid golfer.  Best round was at Kickingbird several years ago - 71 (one over par) and I had the privilege to be there.  Below are some videos that were taken on my new Ipod during the last week of Mark's life on earth. Reminisce with me and rejoice that Mark is free from pain and suffering and safe in the arms of Jesus.

April 30, 2010 Baptist Hospital

May 3, 2010 Baptist Hospital

May 5, 2010 Baptist Hospital 

May 6, 2010 Baptist Hospital

The last video was the last time that I saw Mark alive.  However, I do plan to see him again in Heaven because our sins were paid for by the death on the cross of Jesus Christ.  I visit the cemetery now and then and talk to Mark and in memory of one year since his home-going, I have penned another infamous verse.  It may sound corny but, hey, I ain't got much gray matter left to work with.  Here goes.

 

      Missing the Shanster

How time flies, it’s been one year

But oh how often, you still feel near

Life’s not the same without you, pal

I still feel your spirit, so does your gal

I listen sometimes to the Eggman at night

But without your voice, it doesn’t seem right

Every so often I drive through  Gracelawn

Just to remind me,  the Shanster really is gone

Roger, Daryl, Louis, others and me

Still tee it up, Saturday  even saw Duffy

That grey Infiniti seems to be everywhere

Perhaps it’s a sign telling me you’re there

Experiencing streets of gold and gates of pearl

What a comfort! You’re in the real world

When first we met, at Russ’ Bible study

I’m sure you thought, what a fuddy-duddy

I thought who is this loud-mouthed guy?

Just shut your trap and give God a try.

Slowly the Spirit began to shape and mold

Your witness for the Savior was new and bold

Far-right, far-left, and neither of the two

The committee had members, was one of them you?

No matter the rant, no matter the rave

You let others know only Jesus can save

I admired your motto, not middle of the road

You joined the tea-party, musta been a load

I still see you there, Bosox baseball cap and all

That cap is on my desk, almost makes me bawl

Since I’ve been a Yankee fan for life,

Looking at that cap sorta causes me strife.

The country is in trouble same as it was

Obama’s is wrong, no matter what he does

Republicans won the house because of our debt

Bush added a few trillion, let’s don’t forget

Government keeps growing, how long can it last

Gas and grocery prices may cause us to fast

Just answered the door, old lady of blonde

Jehovah Witness she was, said Jesus ain’t God

Only 144,000 going to heaven according to her

Said God is love, no hell could ever occur

Told her she was wrong, would be her home

Christ is God, so she’ll spend eternity alone

Guess you heard the latest about Osama

Who’s taking all the credit? Right, Obama

Guess you’ve recently seen Juanita Rice,

Think of her when I see the adjective – nice

Sure you’ve seen others including Russ

Probably talking doctrine, making a fuss

When will be rest of us be joining you?

Sure it will be like a bolt from the blue

Then we’ll all be perfect and set free

Our joy will be complete, we’ll be full of glee

Until that happens, we mustn’t hurry

We must abide and reflect his glory

I love you pal and long for that day

When another round of golf we’ll play

Hole one’s par will equal eternity

And number eighteen will be infinity

Wonders unimaginable, but this I see

Jesus Christ, the church, and you and me

Drano