Many years ago, Sharon and I were considering buying property to build on in Bethel, Maine, in order to be closer to the area where we loved to ski. A Christian friend was a developer in the Bethel area of Maine, and I met with him to look at some of his properties.

During my visit, we had lunch at his home and I met his sixteen year old daughter, one of his four children. She was a beautiful and gracious young woman that loved the Lord. She had a beautiful, two-year-old boy. Her father shared with me later that one of the reasons they moved to Bethel was to try to separate his daughter, who had gotten pregnant when she was fourteen, from the father of the child, but that she was unhappy and struggling with the recent move. I told him I would love to talk with her and get to know her. He was thankful for my offer.

Several days later I was skiing and stayed overnight in Bethel, and while I was eating at a local pizza restaurant, someone put their hand on my arm. It was the young mother. She worked in the kitchen at this restaurant, saw me through the serving window, and came out to say hello. We chatted for several minutes, having a great conversation.

That evening I had a dream/vision about her. She was walking above the clouds on a high mountain. She was filled with joy and peace. I thought at the time the Lord was leading me to take her hiking in the mountains in order to build our relationship.

Five days later she was killed while riding as a passenger on a four-wheel ATV. The ATV flipped over, and she was killed instantly.

There is no way to describe the grief of her parents and family, who loved the Lord.

The Lord gave me this poem.

Hands lifted
With innocence,
Gone like dew
In the morning sun.

Saved in birth and
Taken for love,
To walk the mountains of
His delight.

To wonder at
The mystery of His passion.

Others grieve
At the violence of His beauty.