“Take Two,” Karen Kingsbury Keeps
Laurie in our Hearts
New to me is the Christian writer Karen Kingsbury, who has been acknowledged as a New York Times bestselling author. In her most recent book published this year in the Above the Line Series, Take Two, Ms. Kingsbury raises up the life and witness of one most dear to us, Laurie Weeks. On pages 16 and 17 under the headline of Forever in Fiction, she writes these faith inspiring words.
"Whenever I receive the completed paperwork for a Forever in Fiction winner, I read through the details of the life being honored in fiction- whether the person is alive or dead- and I am touched by the real life stories that come my way.
That was especially true for Laurie Weeks, forty-five. I read the information sent in about Laurie and I kept seeing all we had in common, how Laurie and I would’ve certainly been friends if we would’ve met. Our love of family and healthy living, board games and beaches…Even our shared joy at documenting our family’s activities in photographs. The similarities were striking.
Laurie was one of four siblings- three sisters and a brother. She married when she was 22 and had three children- Audrey, 23, Lucas, 19, and Sam,17. She loved the beach and the Bible and playing Apple to Apples when her family was gathered together. Trips to Atlantic Beach in North Carolina were always accompanied by a trip to her favorite Windmill restaurant, walks on the beach, and fresh grilled salmon. She walked every day and never missed the sporting events and musical performances of her children.
Laurie was 5’5” {dec63} and slender, with brown hair, green eyes and a contagious smile. She rooted for the underdog, and people knew her as a peacemaker- confident and trustworthy. She played the handbells in her church bell choir and served as family photographer for the many special moments she helped create for those she loved. A spiritual high for Laurie was 2001, when she and Audrey took a mission trip to Nicaragua.
Laurie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June of 2005. Though she nearly died twice in the ensuing months, her family prayed for a miracle. Laurie lived long enough to attend the funeral of her 96 year old grandmother and long enough to share one last very beautiful Christmas with her family. She lived to see a final prom and her son’s confirmation, along with one last season of football and musical performances. Throughout her illness, she endured much pain. Though her family prayed for more time, God had other plans for Laurie.
She loved Jesus very much and knew she would be well with her Savior- but she hated the thought of leaving her family. Laurie went home to heaven in March 2006- just nine months after her diagnosis. Those who love her miss her very much."
The chapter goes on to say that Laurie’s sister, Cindy, placed Laurie in the Forever in Fiction nomination, and that Ms. Kingsbury placed Laurie in the novel as a friend of Kelly Ryan, the wife of the protagonist film producer Chas Ryan. Ms. Kingsbury makes this last comment about our beloved Laurie. “Much as I believe Laurie would’ve been a friend of mine, her character will certainly be a friend to Kelly Ryan in this time of dramatic highs and uncertain lows.” In many ways this comment celebrates the Laurie we treasured in Damascus as she stood in solidarity with Christ by the way she loved and cared for so many. I thank Heather Geehring for bringing Take Two to my attention, and encourage us all to read this novel of compassionate faith. (Zondervan is the publisher.)
Walter G. Edmonds
Senior Pastor
