ForeverMissed
Large image
Stories

Share a special moment from Barry's life.

Write a story
February 3, 2020
The day before you left home and went in the hospital you bought me a lot of art supplies I really enjoyed them honey I think of you all the time every minute of my day I think of you and I love you and miss you I see you in heaven,
October 22, 2012

do not know why i am still here and the lord took you.but i miss you so.love you with all my heart

i miss you

October 4, 2012

i really need you brother why did you have to go

An Unlikely Friendship

March 22, 2011

 

AN UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP
 
 
On Friday, February 6, 2009 I had the privilege of attending a memorial service for a very special man, the soul that I had known as Barry Lenard. I first met Barry twenty-six years ago when he was 14 years old. He came into my life as a result of a friendship that he and my son, James Moreno developed.  The family had prepared a slide show presentation of Barry’s life. I saw a little boy with blond hair and a huge smile on his face. I watched as the pictures flashed before my eyes. Each picture showed him a little bit older and always with a big smile on his face.  There he was with his horses, riding his bike, his ATV, fishing and hunting, and pictures of him surrounded by the family he adored. He was surrounded by love and it showed in every photo. I had been blessed to know and to love this man. 
 
As I continued to watch the slide show, I asked myself, “How did my son and Barry ever become friends? What did they have in common?” Their backgrounds were worlds apart. Barry, a little White cowboy who grew up in the country with horses and 4-H; and James a little Hispanic preacher’s son who grew up in the city. Yet these two 14 year old boys met, their spirits connected. They saw the value in each other, what they could give and receive from the other; and the two separate life styles and cultures melted away into a friendship that lasted for more than two decades. There friendship was clothed in love and acceptance. Often times miles separated them, and yet when they talked there was no time, no miles, only love, understanding and acceptance. They laughed, played and cried together. These two men were blessed and privileged to know a friendship such as this. They were no longer just friends. They were kindred spirits and called each other “my brother.”
 
I remember when Barry came to my house for dinner. I had prepared a traditional Mexican dinner. I observed Barry eating and saw the sweat run down his face as he ingested the hot spicy chili dish I was serving. We offered him some ice cream for dessert and he got a brain freeze. I will never forget him belting out “This is the most painful meal I’ve ever eaten.” Of course the room was filled with laughter. That was not unusual. Barry kept things light and fun wherever he went.
 
I look back and after an accident that left Barry in a wheel chair, I think, at times, Barry was James’ voice and James was Barry’s legs. James took care to ensure Barry’s physical well-being and Barry took care to ensure James emotional well-being. They gave freely to each other. I was privileged to speak with Barry a few days before he passed. The last thing Barry said to me was “I need to talk to James. I’m worried about him and need to make sure he is alright.”
 
So what happens to this friendship now that Barry is no longer on this planet in the form that James knew him to be?  James can no longer hug his friend, and no longer talk to him on the phone.  This relationship will take a new form, because Barry is still here in a different form and James can talk to him without the limitation of miles or phones. This friendship will last for eternity. 
 
 
All we have is “Now, Today”, may we cherish each other and give our love freely to all beings on this planet. May we learn from the friendship of these two men to look at each other, and refrain from seeing our differences, cultures, practices, etc. May we see only the beauty of Spirit that created us. May we value, support and hold each other up during the trials, and laugh and play with each other as children do with abandon. May we cease every moment to love more and criticize less. When we lay our heads on our pillows at night, may we be able to sleep serenely knowing that we are loved and that we have given love freely. We do this by first knowing intimately the love of Spirit that gives that love so freely to us?

Words by Barry…

February 2, 2011

Barry Delmar Lenard

April 15, 1969 – February 2, 2009

~Hope and ClarityMy niece tells me she is going to have a baby. You see this baby will bring life

to my family just as they are dealing with death. The beautiful scream of a baby’s demand and passion for

life will help heal the wounds of life ending. This baby will anchor my mom as Zay does Ciera. God

replaces death with life. The strength in a child is our hope just as that first scream is a sign of life. It also

gives us hope in moving on to watch our children grow from a place of peace, that they will someday

join us in. My family’s pain will be eased and at times forgotten by the beautiful life given by a sovereign

God. There is hope in both living and dieing. We just need to see the poetic love that is life and Jesus.

And be glad it is He and not us that can balance it. God is letting me know that my family will be ok with

new promises of life. It’s like fresh air to me and makes the idea of deciding when to feel its ok to move

on easier. 10/20/08

 

~I love to beWarm with the sun on my face. I love the sun and the charge it gives my body and
soul. 10/28/08  
 
~Words of insightDaily decisions prepare the way for great moments that are sealed by
monumental decisions made in that moment. 10/29/08 
 
~My favorite seasonSpring. I was never fond of the cold. I liked the heat of Tucson much more than
the cold of Colorado.10/29/08  
 
~My favorite creationThe sun is one of God’s doozies. 10/29/08  
 
~Enjoy paradiseA point to enjoy tomorrow. It may be the sound of sheep instead of ducks on a
lake but this old desert farm has some nice sunsets. Some people may enjoy arguing but I’ll take a nice
sunset any day. The sunset is there for anyone at anytime. Be sure to take time to make it because all
things that God created have its beauty. We just have to take the time to see that beauty. 10/29/08 
 
~Words on loveI would focus more on what I could give or add to someone’s life because what
I need and want is a legacy. What I want and what I need is to be a better man. A man who is strong
enough to guide and contribute. Not to control. A man with more to give then to receive. A man not a
needy boy. One who builds a person’s spirit and does not break it. The guy who can just let go and does
not need to be macho to be a part of life. 10/31/08  
 
~Words on the power of God
I know that everything that He has asked me not to do and that I have done. It has only brought me
pain. And when I have trusted Him I have seen and felt His peace and love. I have only found peace
with Him. His word is the only solid truth I know. Teen Challenge was a glimpse of what God can
do to turn my bad into good. The ones touched the most I didn’t realize they were watching. Meaning
it was never my purity but His that used my worst times to make others see He forever loves us.
I’ve seen the most powerful praise and worship services with all wanting the light of God because
they knew what darkness was and that this God thing was real. 11/2/08
  
~PeaceI felt God in the Spirit touch me and I accepted his love and I have been at peace for the first
time in a long time. 12/1/08
Mentally and spiritually I turned it over to God and that seems to suit me. It gives me peace. 12/14/08 
 
~Favorite colorArtic to green.12/14/08  
~Favorite foodShrimp.12/14/08
 
~Favorite placeSomeplace outside that allows me to listen and see Gods hand at work. Like on
top of the rock cliffs on my Grandfather’s ranch. I could just watch the green grass blow in the wind. It’s
almost like the Lord wrote in some ancient language his promises in the beautiful waist high grass.
12/14/08
 
~Barry’s promise
So when I go please be happy for me. I know where I am going and feel good about my place with God.
Just keep in perspective that there is life after death and God loves us both. I know you know but I want
you to know I’ll be waiting in a much better place for you and I love you. 1/6/09

 

Up Here in Heaven

February 2, 2011

 

 For Barry- 69- 09 / With love, Jess 2/6/09

Up Here In Heaven

Please do not worry, about me, I walk on the clouds now, I can Fish the great sea’s. I can dance in the rain, I can touch the nights stars, I am in a place without heart ache or pain.

I can ride winged horses, I can ski the great sky’s, I can even run for miles, And the lord has given me these wings to fly.

 I can watch over you, All of the ones I so love,  can talk with you, Here in my home in heaven above.

 You can tell me all your fears, I will always be here, When your happy, when your sad, Always Keep me near.

 Please tell me those heart aches, Tell me all of your joys, I’m just up here in heaven one ear click away, You can call my name, its all it takes.

 Oh- yes I will be here, With so many missed family and friends, I am waiting to see you, hug you,  All my loves once again.

Two years ago today..

February 2, 2011

I cant believe its been two years ago today, it makes me sad that its been so long since i last seen or talked to him. I miss being able to call him when i need advice or telling him what grades i got in school. He was the least judgemental person i knew, you could tell him anything and he would give you honest advice.  I miss him asking about the baby and telling me to "give him a spanking on the butt from his papa." I miss our long talks in his truck and how he always kept me encouraged and told me he was proud. When i thought i was going through alot, he was going through worse, but yet he still could give advice and make me feel better. I miss the simple things, hanging out and watching movies, his jokes, when i'd listen to rap in his truck and he'd say "yo yo yo" playing around. I wish i would have been able to spend more time with him in the end.. but i know i'll see him one day again and he'll be waiting for us all

More...

February 1, 2011

It still amazes me that you are no longer here. Sometimes I think that it must just be a dream that has lasted 2 years and I will receive a text or a call. Saying how life has been just busy and that you are sorry for not keeping in touch. But I know that it is true that you no longer breathe the air that I breathe or see the sun rise and set with those beautiful eyes that always seemed to smile.

You were always in my life even when time seemed to pass quickly and the days, turned to months and even years before we would connect once more. But when the moment came and I heard the sweetness of your voice the time no longer mattered for it was just you and just me suspended in all that are spirits could embrace.

The memories that I have of you are so many and I would love to put them in a bottle and savor each one. But they would not be able to move with the wind and the sun. So I will not bottle them; I will let them flow within me and around me as I age and change with time. It is a bitter luxury that each of us must bare that were left when you took that long last breath 2 years ago my dear.

I just long for more memories, more time, more words that I could have said, more laughter that I could of heard from the sweetness of who YOU were. I ache for that and though I often feel you guiding and loving me in your sweet spirit. I miss your voice, I miss all that you were and wanted to be. I miss the "Barry and Kim" days of long ago but I will always love you forever more.

And because you are gone. It is a reminder every day that I must live my life to its fullest and to laugh more, cry more and love more. It was the promise I made to you as you left your body and moved on. So I thank you for the lesson and the memories of our precious bond; because of you and all I have learned I will always long for more...

January 31, 2011

Barry was my best friend. We both knew our darkest secrets. He loved me for all I was and I all I wasn't. He believed in me, when I couldn't. He encouraged me and told me what  a great mom I was...when i didn't believe I was. Even during his darkest hours, he would be the shoulder to cry on, the wise one. I miss being able to call him and we could talk for hours...laughing, sometimes crying..sometimes both. I don't think anybody understood the dynamic of our friendship...and that was ok by us...it made it more sacred.

I can't believe it's been 2 years...hurts like yesterday, feels like forever since I looked in his eyes.

Barry took this young single mom and loved us the best he could. No one ever loved a daughter the way he loved his. She was the light that kept him going during the darkness.

I miss his laugh...when he laughed so hard he couldnt breathe and he would gasp for air.  I miss his hands..I always loved his strong hands. I miss hangin out listening to music and discussing what the lyrics meant. 

I was just thinking how he and Tim Keeling are hangin out again.

Barry was an outstanding human being. His family was #1 to him, he only wanted them to be proud of him and wanted them to be happy and to know God and love God the way he did.

"...wherever you are, I am with you..."

 

always love

January 31, 2011

Barry was born as a gife from God, He was always sweet and compassionate with his belives and his love for all of us and his friends. never a a hatefull bone in his body. can't wait to go to heaven to see him and hug him, he never got enough hugs and love in this life and I pray I can do better later.Heaven is our second chance. I remember him laughing, hunting, fishing, riding horses sking, snowmobiles. Living and bringing people tp god. is daughter has is every thing to Barry and his orther Daughter Jesica. I spend my life remmbering Bear

My Constant

January 31, 2011

My Uncle Barry was one of the most constant people in my life. He taught me right from wrong. sometimes he'd use choices he'd made in life good and bad to teach me. But I took it all to heart and learned. I remember every Christmas waiting for him and when he finally moved home it was my favorite time of the year because I would see him. when I got a little older every weekend we'd go to a movie, and when I got older we'd do a movie and a beer. I could call him any time. rain or shine AM or PM. He new everything about me. all the good and all the bad. He loved with Passion. Loved his daughter, Loved Carmen, Loved his mother, Sister, brother, father. Loved everyone. He taught everyone. He saved lives. He loved me. He was more than my uncle. he was my brother and best friend. He was a beautiful person. I miss him more than anything.. I talk to him everyday and make sure Payton knows all about him. He knew she's be amazing and he was right, and I believe there is no one better for her guardian angel than he. I love you my constant. Will love you forever

Our Weekend Routine

January 31, 2011

I never thought i would miss the smallest things that we did together. What i miss the most is when he lived in Denver in 2000, and every friday he would pick me up from school and we would go to blockbuster and rent a few movies,then we would go home, order pizza and just kick back. Almost every saturday we would go to Best Buy and my dad would tease himself by looking at the brand new DVD players that had just came out...He spoiled me so much i would almost always leave with a new cd.. He would always let me blast my newest cds in his truck, and he would tap his thumb on the steering wheel to the beat....Then of course on Sunday during football season i would sit with him as he hollered and clapped for the Broncos...... The best memories are the ones you never thought you'd miss.

Share a story

 
Add a document, picture, song, or video
Add an attachment Add a media attachment to your story
You can illustrate your story with a photo, video, song, or PDF document attachment.