Our sister, Linda Kemp, passed recently following a long battle with cancer.  At her memorial service last week her mother, Louise Spears, read this poem.  It was such a moving experience for us that I wanted to share it with you all.                - Barry Bryson

YOUR RACE IS FINISHED

To my daughter Linda,

Linda you started your race to Heaven in 1982 when you knew what you had to do.

Sometimes you got tired but you knew,

Sometimes you were weary but you knew,

Sometimes you had tribulation but you knew,

Sometimes you got burdened down but you knew,

Sometimes you got discouraged but you knew,

You walked with God, you talked with God, you obeyed his word, you spread the Gospel to many people in your home, on the phone, on the road side, in the Church and you even taught me.

You would always say to me, “Mama, Stay with the Lord!” I knew you got tired because you told me so.  But you knew what you had to do because you knew your race was not yet finished, so you had to keep running, and you did.

Now you met the finish-line the other day.  I wish you were here with me, but your Savior saw the need to set you free.  God loaned you to me for 50 years and we endured and conquered many fears.  I miss you with every beat of my heart, but you had a journey upon which you had to embark.  Rest on my child- no more pain, and no more worry.  Shout it from the mountain tops that you’ve gone home to glory.  We will unite one day.

I will always love and miss you,

Your  Mother,

Louise