By Ed Chasteen
Beth lives in Texas, my home state, though not hers, Married to a military husband, Beth has lived all over the map. Her daughter, Christy, graduated high school in Alaska. Christy went to college and seminary. She met Jason Edwards. They got married. On Easter Sunday this year, Jason came as pastor of my church, Second Baptist, here in Liberty. So came Christy, Jason and five-month old, Jackson, to our town and church. Beth and husband, Ed, came for Jason’s installation. I met Beth. And learned she was diagnosed with MS in 1998. We talked. I told her about our annual Greater Liberty Ride for MS. I promised to do something special for her.
This is it. I will ride our Greater Liberty Ride for MS this year in Beth’s honor. I will ride the MS Ride this September for Beth. I knew in the instant of our meeting that Beth lives above and beyond whatever the condition that prompted the cane in her hand. Joy is visible in her face. Her bearing is that of a victor, one at peace with life, at ease in her own skin and with other people. I suspect Beth will journey often from Waco to Liberty in the years just ahead. I find that a most pleasant thought.
