Rest In Peace Zack Hunter

August 31, 1999 - April 17, 2016

John 14:1-4--“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.”

SERVIAM - "to serve"

I grew up in what some may consider a small town-- Alton, Illinois. A town of about 30,000 people. So, definitely not too small but compared to a bigger city, such as Chicago, you may consider it a small town.

Growing up in Alton, Illinois I truly developed a sense of community and now, being away from home, I have grown to have such an appreciation for where I come from.

In Alton, God so gracefully placed a unique high school founded by the Ursuline sisters at the top of a hill on 4th Street called Marquette Catholic in 1927.

Marquette consists of approximately 400 kids. Everyone knows everyone.

I'll be honest, my freshman year at high school, I considered this a downfall.

I didn't like the fact that everyone knew my business, my family, and who I was.

Many of my other friends went to high schools around the area with nearly a thousand kids and they were filled with different people. In a sense, I was jealous of them.

In my sophomore year, I was proven wrong. My faith was tested and so was my sense of community. I got into a life-changing car accident where I nearly did not make it. The entire community came together that evening in hopes I would make it. Praying for myself and my family. I was speechless.

This was unexpecting to me and I didn't realize the true meaning of family in my school and life until God placed it right in front of me. Almost as if I could vividly hear His voice at that time speaking to me saying, "This is where I want you to be. This is where you need to be. Stay. Go."

My high school experience was unlike any other and if I were given the opportunity to go back and change anything, I wouldn't. Each year handcrafted me into the man I have always wanted to be. The staff, the students, they were (and still are) so much more than that. They are family.

I was never ashamed to cry into the arms of a teacher in a moment of complete sadness and weakness, I never once hesitated whenever I knew all I needed to get through the rest of the day was a "holy nap."

Side note: definition of "Holy Nap" - A time of reflection between you and the Lord. A time where you close your eyes, breathe, focus on all the goodness surrounding you and offering up all of your burdens to Jesus to take care of.

Going to a Catholic high school, holy naps were a necessity.

I am proud to say I take them more often in college than ever before.

I'm getting off topic here, anyways; Marquette Catholic holds a special place in my heart and always will.

I have been reminded of this particular time in my life over these past few weeks. In the unique town of Alton, the community has come together in celebration of the life for a boy which was cut short far too soon. His name is Zack Hunter.

Now, maybe I did not know Zack personally. Maybe I wasn't one of his best friends. But, I still consider him family.

For those unaware, Zack Hunter was a junior this year at the high school I graduated, Marquette Catholic High School. Zack was driving home and was injured in a car crash. Zack was placed in a coma from the time of the accident until he passed away on Sunday.

From the minute the community heard of him being in a coma, prayers were lifted up to our Lord. Prayers of miracles, sadness, life, hope, love, you name it.

Some may consider, because of Zack's death, these prayers were unanswered.

No one can explain a situation like this to fit everyone needs of understanding.

One of life's greatest mysteries, in my opinion, is the fact that we cannot understand everything.

I'll be honest, whenever I first heard of Zack passing away-- I was at a loss of words. Heartbroken.

At the age of 16, your life has barely even started yet.

People question God, the universe, whoever you believe in and ask why?

"Why would this happen to someone so young?"

"How could you do this, God?"

"It's your fault."

"No one deserves this."

Many common thoughts whenever we cannot put into words an incident such as this.

I, too, once thought all of these thoughts.

For a split second, I did whenever I heard of the death of Zack. But, something came over me. I sat and I prayed for the life of Zack and his family. Someone told me, "So many people in this world are sick and dying.. I am just not sure what God's plan is."

Like word vomit almost, I started saying; "Dying is a part of life. Without death, would we really appreciate the life we have been given? What is so scary to wrap our heads around is the fact that God already has a specific plan for our life laid out before we even enter this world. Maybe this was his plan all along."

After those words came out of my mouth, I felt the presence of the Lord speaking that through me. Letting me know it as well.

Zack Hunter may not be here physically any longer. But, being someone who did not know him personally, I would like to say he has never felt more alive.

His beautiful soul and spirit is soaring through the skies and throughout the halls of Marquette Catholic High School.

Our family has gained a new guardian angel. A younger angel who, I believe, will pour his youth out onto all of those he loved who he knows need it the most.

I'd like to think God needed a new messenger. Someone active (preferably a hockey player), full of life and love, to let him know who everything is going in our community.

Zack's parent's, Scott and Sarah, decided to make the most of their son's gift of life by donating his organs. “They have matched recipients for all of his gifts," Scott said.

"We believe this is a true testament to our son’s life for all of his organs to still be strong enough to save lives. We will never know how much of a profound stamp he had in such a short life. We will forever be proud of our son.”

Scott and Sarah, the amount of courage and bravery you have shown throughout these past few weeks filled of grief and weakness to the community is so noble and honorable.

Zack's life will forever live on through the lives of others.

I could not be more happy for you to have met Jesus.

I'd like to think you just scored a buzzer beater with Jesus on your team and the two of you are jumping for joy while He is holding you high in his arms.

Rest in peace, little buddy.