A Lasting Legacy

Merriam-Webster defines the word legacy as something that is transmitted by or received from ancestor or predecessor or from the past. I believe that a legacy can be positive or negative, depending on the effects that it has particularly on the groups or individuals that are closely touched by it.

When I think of someone who leaves a lasting legacy for the good of others, I need to look no further than my friend Christopher Joe Daniels.

Meet Me At The Gym

Just yesterday, I was rummaging through my gym bag and retrieved from it a color coded, laminated work shift schedule that Chris had given me earlier in the year. The life of a fireman involves long and changing shifts that I never could fully get a handle on, so I was constantly asking Chris what days he would be in the gym each week. To remedy my confusion, and to answer the question before I had to ask again, he graciously printed and laminated a copy of his shift schedule so that I would know if he would be in the gym that morning or not. I knew that on the days highlighted in black he would be there for certain. On the days highlighted in anything other than black it meant he was working an off shift, at another fire station, or sleeping, and chances were he would not be in the gym on those days. But there was also a chance that he would be, so I would look for him on those days as well. It was always refreshing when he was there on the days that he was necessarily not supposed to be there according to his schedule. The atmosphere was always different, in a positive way, when Chris was in the house.

Chris and I convened at the gym on most weekdays at 5:00am, or a few minutes on either side of that time, where he and I would make a valiant attempt at keeping our health at the highest level possible as we entered our forties. We had our workout regimen synchronized for the most part such that each one of us knew what body part the other was working that day. So we worked out together most of the time, one of us spotting while the other was lifting. We were both consistent and punctual with our gym attendance. We had to be if we did not want to hear trash talk from each other. If there was a day that I was lazy and slept in, I could most certainly expect a text sometime later that morning that read “You can’t get big lying in bed!” And of course, the same would apply to Chris if he skipped a gym day. He pushed me to lift more, run farther, and lose more weight than I ever thought I had it in me to achieve. He was a motivator and encourager in the greatest sense of the word to all of us “gym rats”.

We not only worked out together, but we also talked about the joys and difficulties of life. If he was having a bad time with something, he could share it with me. Likewise, if I was having a difficult time with something, Chris would always lend a listening ear and offer prayers or words of advice. I will never forget the music. Whatever wild and crazy music may be playing in the gym when we arrived each morning, he would plug in some contemporary Christian or Christian Rock that would permeate the entire room with a positive and encouraging message. He was unashamed and unapologetic about his faith and his love for God….and others around him noticed and respected that.

I will continue to cherish that laminated shift schedule that he gave me earlier this year. I will post it in my gym locker in memory of the days that I knew he would be there, and to remind me that I will see him again one day.

Round Of Golf For Two

Not only did we push and throw around the cold hard iron in the gym, but we also put to use the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 irons on the links as well. Chris and I picked up and dusted off our old set of golf clubs sometime around the October 2014 time frame, played two or three rounds together, and immediately became hooked on the sport. We dropped more money than we probably should have into a better set of clubs, numerous greens fees, and various golf attire and gadgets here and there. We were determined to make sure we had the “look” of the golf legends whether we could actually play well or not. We would crack golf jokes and share the latest golf “gadget” in the gym in the mornings. After all, where else would we practice our golf swings to perfection other than in the gym? Chris even incorporated golf swings into our morning post workout routines at times.

Neither of us would be considered good golfers by any stretch of the imagination, but golfing afforded us the opportunity to get out into God’s beautiful creation, talk about life, get to know each other even more, and have a good laugh or two at each other’s expense as we attempted to look and play the part of PGA pros while trying to hit that little round ball down the fairway. We rejoiced at the times when we played a good round, and vowed we would give up golfing forever after a bad round. We spent far more time with the squirrels in the roughs than we did in the open fairways, that’s for sure.

We never did give it up though, because we enjoyed it. Every chance we got we enjoyed getting out of the daily grind and routine of life into the open air on the golf course. Rain or shine, warm or cold, we enjoyed the time of fellowship with each other. We enjoyed the challenge of trying to get better together. Neither of us had the proper stance or swing, but we tried our best to teach each other new techniques we had learned and ultimately help each other along toward a better game as we figured things out together.

We had fun. We shared stories and laughs. We shared life together. We made memories that I will never forget. From now on, every time I drive one straight down the fairway, or if I wind up with the squirrels deep in the rough, I will always remember the back and forth banter that we shared while playing the crazy game of golf.

My First 5K

He had been asking me to sign up for several months prior to the race. The 2012 Pine Level Fire Department Remembrance 5K was being held in May of that same year, and Chris wanted me there. He had completed a few 5K’s already, but he needed another motivational project, and I was it. With great reluctance, I signed up, showed up, and ran the race that day. I ran...not walked, but ran...the entire 3.1 miles of that race. I had some music in my ear to keep me pumped up and motivated, but the drive of music wore off as my shins began to throb. Some people say that they have an inner voice that says don’t give up, but I had something even better than that. I had a friend literally beside me the entire distance saying “don’t give up” and “you can do this”. Not once did he run ahead of me once, not once did he lag behind me, but he ran right beside me for the entire race. As a matter of fact, we sprinted the last quarter mile side by side and crossed the finish line together. If it were not for Chris, I would have never signed up for that race, and certainly would have never finished my first 5K.

As of today, I have done at least 12 of them, several of them with Chris. I will do more in the future, but I will never run another one without remembering him being by my side, cheering me on to the finish line, and encouraging me every step of the way.

A Lasting Legacy

Encourager. Motivator. Servant. Mentor. Christian. A man of the highest character and integrity.

These are just a few of the immediate words that come to mind when I am asked to describe the Chris Daniels that I knew and appreciated. These characteristics that he displayed openly, intentionally, and consistently each day helped to build his legacy. Many of us had the honor and privilege of befriending this man who was not only a brave and selfless servant of his community, but also a provider for his family, and an active supporter of his friends and church as well. He was an honest man that would keep his promises and do anything for anyone in need...with a smile on his face. He was well liked and highly spoken of and respected by so many in the surrounding communities. He was a motivator and encourager, as well as a faithful father, husband, and friend.

We are all shocked and deeply saddened that he was taken from us far too soon. We will probably never understand the whys and what ifs of a tragedy such as this. The truth of the matter is that it is probably not meant to be understood this side of heaven. But I believe with all my heart that Chris Daniels is rejoicing with the angels today in a much better place than we can even begin to imagine. He is in heaven and has received the reward of eternal life that he longed for, and believed with all of his being that he would see one day.

And because I knew him in this way, I also like to envision him looking down from heaven upon all of us who were blessed to have known him, with that contagious smile on his face, as he encourages us to finish life’s race well, and to cross our finish line even when we feel as if we can’t take one more step.

Chris set an amazing example for those of us who remain. He forged a legacy that will carry through the many generations to come. We would do well to take note of his legacy, and fashion our own in the spirit of his memory.

When my days on earth are complete, my hope and prayer is that I am able to leave behind for others the godly example that was left for the world by Christopher Joe Daniels.

May you rest in eternal peace my dear friend and brother in Christ.

Your legacy lives on.