Life Influences...
Jim Anderson
by Barry
Babcock
This
series shares our personal stories of how another person
in the church has most influenced our lives.
This
Month,
Barry Babcock
shares
how
Jim Anderson
has influenced his life.
When Nora and I joined the church on March 5, 1995, Jim
Anderson was a very active member of the church. Even
though he was struggling with MS and walking with canes
at that time, he didn't let anything stop him. In
church meetings or committees, Jim was never afraid to
speak his mind and was usually able to help us see
another way or viewpoint. He was on the search
committee that hired Pastor Tom. He also helped out
with the Christmas bazaar and was on numerous other
committees over the years.
To this day, I have a
deep respect for Jim. Even as his body continued to
fail him, he did not give up. I saw him on a regular
basis at Armstrong's Fitness where we both worked
out. I never ceased to be amazed at Jim's endurance or
drive. No matter how many push-ups he did, he would
always go further and do ONE More!
Jim set a goal for
himself to increase his upper body strength by lifting
weights and in a 10-month period went from 5 lb weights
to 70 lb weights! We had some wonderful conversations as
we challenged ourselves and each other.
I wasn't ill then,
and have learned much from Jim about facing a chronic
progressive disease that can change your life. He has
taught me to keep fighting and not give up.
In
the midst of everything else for Jim, his wife Jackie
became ill. I helped out by taking Jackie to doctor
appointments and have tried to stay in contact with
them. Recently, I visited with them in their beautiful,
new condo on the Bremerton waterfront. Jim still has a
positive attitude toward life and it was a treat to
watch him with his amazing service dog, "Raffle."
Now that I'm battling
Parkinson's disease, I feel that Jim paved the way for
me... he's been there on the front line. He has helped
me in learning all that I can about how to "live" and
accept my changing body and limitations. Just seeing
what he went through has given me hope. I believe we
both look forward to the day when there is a cure or at
least some relief for those of us who struggle with a
debilitating disease.
Even though I'm
moving to Oregon on April 19th to be closer to my
children and their families, I hope to remain in contact
with Jim and Jackie.
Thanks, Jim, for your
friendship and positive influence on my life.
Barry Babcock
