Happy Birthday Carol!

I really looked forward to one tradition that Carol created for birthdays in our house.  On someone's birthday, Carol would go through our family photos and pull one out of the birthday boy or girl and put it in a frame on the kitchen table.  When each of us came down for the morning devotion, a big 8.5x11 shot of the birthday kid was on display for all of us to see.  The picture was some really cute shot that would spark laughter and stories.  Afterward we would thank God that He brought the birthday boy/girl into our family.  Carol even did this for me.  But we never did it for Carol.  First, I was never up as early as Carol.  But, second, we didn't have any photos of Carol when she was young.  The last time I was at her parent's house, I dug out the some of their old slides and had them converted.  So, here's looking at you kid!

Carol was born in New York City.  She hated cold weather for the 25 years I knew her.   This was the only shot I saw of her in the snow, obviously not too excited about it.  I am sure she was delighted with their move to Birmingham!  

Thank you God for bringing this girl into this world for all of us to enjoy!

Thank you!

Many have approached me about the anniversary of Carol's passing.  I really have not thought about the year since Carol has been gone.  Everyday I wake up, it was yesterday.  I think about how Carol was always up before the sun.  The lamp was on by the chair with her devotion on the side table.  The coffee was already made and an empty cup was on the counter by the sink.  It was very rare to see Carol when I got up, but it would have been in that green chair in the corner...quite possibly yesterday.

Although it has been a year as well. The line of people sharing how their lives were impacted in some way by knowing Carol was a year long.  It has been a year of carpools, track meets, play practices, and volleyball games that Carol would have made into a day.  I miss Carol a year--every day.  

But most of all, it has been a year of seeing the body of Christ come alive and shower our family with grace (unmerited favor for those of you who don't attend Perimeter).  I cannot do it personally, but I want to thank everyone for a year, helping our family, loving us and most of all sharing in the joy for having known this remarkable woman.

The Sylvesters

Missing you!

I just wanted you to know how much I miss seeing Carol every Saturday morning. My body pump class followed hers. She would always welcome me with her warm smile. She touched so many lives and I'm so blessed that I got to know her. Because of her influence, I am a regular participant in Melissa Hayes yoga class that she took over for Carol at the AAC. She reminds me a lot of Carol, very spiritual and uplifting. God Bless Carol Sylvester and her family!

In His Name,

Margaret

Serving Others Even While on Vacation

One of my favorite memories of Carol comes from one of our beach trips.  We would often take our families to Florida and share a house on the beach.  This particular day my husband, Stuart, and I were sitting on the beach soaking up the sun and being very lazy.  We turned around just in time to see Carol stepping out of our house followed by a flock of our kids.  Smiles on their faces and food in their hands, they proceeded to hurry down the beach.  We found out that they had come across a homeless man down the beach so Carol escorted our children back to the house to make this man lunch, and then deliver the food.  It was affirmation to me that Carol was an extraordinarily special and giving human being.  And, she was a perfect role model for all of our children.  She believed in serving others and never stopped, even while on vacation.  There were many lives whom she touched, some we know about and probably as many that we never even knew about.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Written by Teresa Swinehart

Words from Christy Mosher

While I never had the opportunity to know Carol in person, I know her in spirit, for she lives on in the life of her family. It has been a privilege to get to know her sweet daughter, Audrey, through my husband's seventh-grade 2013-2014 class. Carol must have lived out her faith in word and deed (as so many have testified that she did!), for Audrey has handled this most difficult turn in her life's journey with grace. The beauty of the truth of the gospel is that Carol is not dead, but alive, and one day I will know her personally as we worship Jesus together in heaven. I look forward to meeting this amazing woman, for she has brought glory to God in both life and death. Until then, I continue to lift up in prayer the sweet Sylvester family. May the peace that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. He loves you, and so do the Moshers!

Sincerely,

Christy Mosher

Simple Memories from Angie

My memory of Carol is small and simple but in it's simplicity, I think it reflects qualities that made Carol so dear to so many.

Carol (and Stuart) were our carpool buddies in our early years at Perimeter School.  We both lived in Peachtree Station and had kids that were similar ages attending the school.  The memory that stands out most for me was her preparing and delivering a meal only a few days after I had come home with our fourth child.  Carol had not long since given birth to Audrey, but there she was making us a meal!  She included a sweet card that congratulated us on the new baby, but also said something like, "Please don't worry about writing a thank-you note for the meal.  Save that time and enjoy your new baby!"  She meant it of course.  

We resumed carpooling several years later as we were living again (almost) in the same neighborhood.  It was very common for her to text me and say "Hey, can I pick up Griffin for you and save you a trip to the school?"  She was so dear, so very thoughtful and kind and so full of love.  

Angie Presley 

Carol: The Pilates Instructor

I was one of those disciples of Carol for the Saturday morning Pilates class.   Having suffered for years with back problems, I went to the class at the strong suggestion of a friend and my back problems were gone almost overnight.   For many years I would recommend anyone with back issues to attend that class.   Many did attend and were so grateful to me but it was all Carol.   She had a way of teaching the class that reached out to everyone.   It is so funny that today I’m writing this note because I have not gone to the class since Carol left us.   Last week, something kept telling me to return to the class which I did last Saturday and it was so good to see all the familiar faces.   Then, up pops this reminder on my PC to send this note today. 

Carol, we miss you and think of you often.  You really changed many of us and we were blessed that our paths crossed.

God bless you and your family.

Bernie May