Myra Ellen "Meg" Golden

June 19, 1967 - May 8, 2006

Sometimes Monday morning, Jesus was standing at the "FINISH LINE" when Meg Golden took a step across and passed from this race of life into the Winner's Circle of eternity! It was a victory that we all prepare for, but it was also one that we were not anticipating and it came as a shock to us.

I'd just seen Meg 24 hours before at church Sunday morning. Meg ran the church van to pick up all the little kids we transport to church each Sunday morning. She was not feeling well and told her mom that she was going home and going to bed. Her mother (Sharon Golden, our pastor's wife) called to check on her around 3:30 p.m. and she told Sharon she'd been throwing up and was going to go to bed and try to sleep.

 

Monday morning, Meg's Aunt Gail tried calling her on the phone and could not reach her. Gail called her sister Sharon (Meg's mom) and told her that she'd better go check on Meg. When Sharon got to Meg's house, it was evident that Meg had been very sick for a long time. Sharon found her lying in her bed, unresponsive. She called Pastor Bill (her husband) and 9-1-1.

 

Pastor Bill called me around 7:40 a.m. and said that they were on their way to the emergency room with Meg. We had to be in Anniston at 8:10 for Rachel's orthodontist visit. When we finished around 8:30, I told Anna and Rachel that we'd go over to the hospital to be with Pastor Bill and Sharon until they got an update on Meg's condition. We didn't know it was as serious as it was. We went to the ICU first because I'd heard that she was there. The nurse escorted us down to the ER and there were Sharon and Pastor Bill. They were waiting for an update. I sat down and started talking to Sharon and hearing all that had happened when the nurse came out into the waiting room and called them back.

 

I will never forget the look on Sharon's face when they came back into the waiting room with the news that Meg had not made it. It was what you would call a "Surreal" moment, a feeling that I'd never experienced before. My daughters, Anna and Rachel were there also and this was an experience that will forever change them. Anna immediately (in her self-controlled, take charge manner) started making phone calls. Rachel sat there in a state of shock and numbness. This just could not be real. Surely they had made a mistake and would come out and correct it. But neither was true and we stood there, embracing each other and crying.

 

The next moments are ones that will always be with me. I sat with two parents who were in a state of shock with the news that their beautiful, vibrant, 38-year-old daughter was gone. It is something that no parent should ever have to go through. It's not supposed to happen that way.

The nurse asked if they'd like to come back and see Meg, and Sharon wanted me to go with them. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but the Lord was so near. I stood at her feet while Pastor Bill and Sharon stood at her head. I witnessed the amazing Love of a parent for a child, and I also witnessed the amazing Love of our Heavenly Father for His Children. We all clasped hands and Pastor Bill prayed the most beautiful prayer that I'd ever heard. He thanked God for the years with Meg that they had been granted and for her life and testimony. He also asked for God's grace and strength to see them through all that they'd have to face in the days to come. I know our Lord was standing right there with us because I could feel his presence so near.

 

We went back to the little room where they had put us, and it wasn't long before friends and fellow pastors started showing up! Wow! It's so good to have friends! I was so deeply touched when Bill Blevins, our friend from church, came and immediately he reached into his pocket and pulled out a stack on new, clean handkerchiefs and passed them out! That was one of the most thoughtful gestures I've ever seen! Rev. Bill Snow from the Congregational Methodist church came and had prayer with them. Neighbors and friends came just to be there.

 

This week has been a whirlwind for the Goldens and our church family. They have been overwhelmed by the love and generosity of friends, neighbors, the community, and family. Family and friends have traveled from Wyoming, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Florida to be with the Golden's during this time. Friends have provided food and even one family, who owns a lawn service, cut the church grass to help during this time! What blessings friends are!!!!

 

I worked and pulled together a power point presentation with 38- year's worth of photos of Meg. That was a joy and a hard job. I scanned and cried, insert photos and cried! Norma, a good friend from church, organized a meal for the family and people came and brought food that would feed an army.

 

The viewing was held from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday and the service was to have started at 7:00 p.m., after the viewing. There was a long line the entire time of the viewing and they had to move the service to 7:30 in order to get everyone through the line.

 

The service was packed. The funeral home attendant estimated that there had been at least 500 people who came through the line.

There were four pastors who participated in the service: Royal Thomas (Hope Fellowship Church), Bentley McQuinn (Wesleyan Church), Bill Snow (Congregational Methodist) and Pastor Bill (our pastor and Meg's Dad). Yes, Pastor Bill insisted in giving the tribute to his daughter. My daughter Anna sang the song "If I do Not Love, I am nothing" and Royal and Carolyn Thomas sang three songs.

 

The burial was Friday in a private service at Anniston Memorial Gardens.

 

I received an email from Sharon this morning, and I'm so amazed at how God is upholding she and Pastor Bill in His almighty hands. They were up early this morning, before anyone else got up, and sat talking about Meg and reading the many cards and letters that friends and family had sent. The cards and letters do mean so much to the family.

 

I know that the life and death of Meg have touched and will continue to touch many lives. I thank God for allowing me to have Meg as my friend. My life will be forever changed for the good because of her smile and the times of laughter we've shared.

Meg, if by chance there is Internet in Heaven and you read this, I'll be meeting you before you know it. Brace yourself because I have much to tell you!!! Timothy, your goat, has a new home and your pups will also have new homes. Madeline really misses you. I was at your parent's house and she came and sat in front of me, looked up with those big eyes, and whimpered. I just had to reach down, pick her up and love her. She will be taken care of, you can be assured!!

 

May God find us all faithful and may we all be ready to meet HIM one day!!! Until then . . .

Beth Larpenter-Shurbutt

http://bethfrombynum.blogspot.com/

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