To the family and friends of Charlie Robinson,

   Tuesday night was hard. Wednesday was even harder. Tuesday I walked in to the ER at Sycamore Shoals Hospital and was immediately and desperately held tightly by Charlie's wife and asked to "Pray...pray now for Charlie." Tuesday was spent watching Wings Air Rescue carry Charlie to the Johnson City Medical Center because of his critical condition. Tuesday was spent listening to and holding on to shocked family and friends as they held on to hope. That evening we prayed and waited. We watched anyone in a medical coat and jumped every time the phone rang in the waiting area waiting for some update of Charlie's condition. Tuesday we hoped and prayed. Wednesday began with terrible loss.
   The past couple of days have been surreal. I have mourned my own loss and I have mourned for his family and friends. It is to you that I write this letter. I cannot end your pain and I won't begin to try and tell you that "everything will be O.K." While I am far from having all the answers to life and death, I do want to say something that I hope will bring you some comfort. At the hospital I heard several people ask a question I have heard far too many times in such circumstances: "Why would God take someone so young?" In fact, Charlie's best friend Guy Austin wrote yesterday: "I cannot seem to accept the decision of God to take away someone that meant so much to so many so soon. I cannot seem to accept the finality of death." I understand. I'm sorry. I agree that it doesn't make sense that God would take Charlie and that's why I want to tell you that God did not take Charlie. God received him. God is not responsible for the death of our friend, the world is. This world is a broken place that is constantly pulling our bodies toward death but our loving God is always pulling our souls toward life. Everlasting life.
   Charlie was a Christian. Death is not the final word. 1 Thessalonians 4 tells us that we do not mourn as those who have no hope but because of Jesus Christ we believe in life. Charlie believed these things and so do I. Charlie is not lost. Charlie is not dead. He just went ahead of us. He was a runner and isn't it just like Charlie to beat us to heaven. He is alive in our memories and he will always be a part of those who knew him but more importantly Charlie Robinson will never die because Charlie belongs to the One who holds the keys to heaven. Yes, we will miss him and yes, even Jesus wept and mourned, but instead of "Goodbye Charlie" we say "See you later Charlie. Thanks for the time you gave us."
  
   Dan Pratt
   Minister of Students
   First Baptist Church
   Elizabethton

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