Hudson Quinn Rutherford, 3, of ClovisRUTHERFORD, HUDSON QUINN -- Church services for Hudson Quinn Rutherford, 3-year-old son of Alvin and Tiphanie Rutherford of Clovis, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Northside Christian Church. Hudson died Saturday. Remembrances may be sent to Hudson's Hope Foundation, 2491 Alluvial Ave., PMB 5, Clovis, CA 93611. Arrangements are by Wallin's Sanger Funeral Home.
I attended Hudson’s services on Monday to show support for a family that I did not know and to celebrate the life of a little boy that I had never met. My presence was not needed as the sanctuary was filled with people whose lives this young boy had touched. My pastor “surrendered all” for this lover of “Spiderman.” Pastor David called for the entire congregation of Northside Christian Church to pray for Hudson. He loved Hudson as maybe only a pastor can. Pastor David opened his heart to a dying boy so full of life. I was really there to support Pastor David and his dad Pastor Dean. I know that their real support comes from the Holy Spirit. David may have shown more courage in this time than in any other I have seen.
An older man came in to sit near me. A man from another time, hobbled with age using a cane dressed in a suit when most of Hudson’s people where wearing “Spiderman” tee shirts. I didn’t get his name or how he knew this young boy. The guy seemed a little gruff in an easy sort of way. He cried openly with the rest of us.
As I sat there watching pictures of this precious boy taken by loving parents and friends I saw an irrepressible little boy so full of life. He had a smile that lit up the world around him. A world of emotions flooded through my heart. A million thoughts coursed through my mind. I am reminded of Paul’s first letter to the believers at Corinth when God inspired him to write “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part then I will know fully even as I am fully known.” “The Holy Bible: NIV, 1 Corinthians 13:12-13” The following captures a little of my heart as come I understand how precious each life is to God and how little time we have to love His children in this world.
A Son is Born.
An Ode to Hudson
A life too short as recorded by Daniel Harsh
A son is born.
A son with so much promise.
Oh he is so special.
A child of love born just three years ago.
We love him so.
We know that there is no promise of
tomorrow.
A son is born.
Oh what a promise.
His smile is daylight.
Where is the smile now?
His smile is in my heart,
safe and sound till time ends.
A son is born.
There is a promise.
There is a plan. Can we know it?
God says I have a plan for Hudson.
God says my ways are not your ways.
God says trust me.
A son is born.
He is our promise.
Did he write a song?
He smiled.
Did he build a building?
He laughed.
Did he love a wife?
He loved his mother.
Did he preach a sermon?
He touched lives unseen, uncounted.
Did he climb a mountain or calm the sea?
He fought a valiant fight.
Did we see Jesus?
He is here.
A lesser man would scream.
A son is gone.
No, no he lives on unseen.
He lives in his mother’s heart.
This world will never see his smile again.
Oh but that’s error.
His smile lives in a thousand hearts or more.
Where the enemy
cannot be.
When you’re only three the big question is
Where is the ice cream?
Where is my mom?
Who cares about the purpose of life?
A son is born.
He just wants to play with his sister.
He wants to talk to
“Spiderman.”
How ever this touches your heart please feel free to share with me and with others.