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Mr. Riley - Remembered by a Senior
By Julie Underwood
One of the Greatest Men We've Ever Known He was not a president or a great scholar. He did not change the world with some new invention, and he wasn't some famous sports legend. No, he was just a simple, everyday kind of guy. He loved and was devoted to his wife, children, family friends, and students. To someone who didn't know him, he was just an average Joe. To those of us fortunate enough to have had the privilege of meeting him, words cannot describe what he meant to us.
On June 14th, Mr. Jimmy Riley went to be with Christ. Among all the people that knew him, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he is in Heaven with God now. Some will say that after a long grueling battle, cancer defeated him. The word "defeated" implies to many that there was a loss. Jimmy lost nothing and gained everything. He is no longer suffering but is dining in the presence of our God and King.
It is my belief that Jimmy defeated cancer; not in the sense that we would like, but he beat it. He is free from it. It no longer has any control over him. He is in a better place than any of us can imagine. And the cancer is gone! It has nothing on him!
In his story, however, there is a loss; not his, but ours. We have lost the man that was so dear to all of us. However, he is not gone for good! We will see him very soon, and he will be waiting for us with open arms. He will be joining us at our own feasts when Jesus welcomes us home to be with Him forever in Glory!
Mr. Riley had an impact on everyone he met. He was a man of faith, and he was always steadfast in his faith. He was a loving father, husband, and teacher. To some, he was far more than that. He was a friend, a confident, a role model, a mentor, a rock, and a source of strength and encouragement to many.
It is hard to believe that in just a few short months, August will roll around. School will start. Teachers and students alike will be scurrying about. All except one. One teacher will no longer be there. His classroom will be occupied by another and at his desk will sit someone new. Students and staff will be reminded daily of his absence simply by walking past his room. However, after a while, it will seem routine for him to not be there. We will grow used to his absence. Nonetheless, he will not be forgotten. Thoughts of him and memories will remind us of how much we miss him.
As time passes though, the memories that once brought tears of sadness, will bring smiles of peace knowing he is better off not. The sad memories will become sweet ones, and we will be reminded of the continuous impact he had on our school and lives. He is gone from us, temporarily, but he is far from forgotten.
Mr. Riley, we will miss you greatly, but Praise God, we will see you soon!
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