Heather’s Flute

June 2011

Dear Friends,

In my eleven years at Christ’s Body I’ve been asked for many things but this was a first.  We had just met and Heather was immediately pleading with me to buy her a flute.  With desperate earnestness she said, “I really need a flute.  When I had my flute I could make money playing on the Mall. I could play my flute when I was alone and feel peace.  I really need a flute, I’d do any work you needed to get a flute.”  I laughed and said “Heather, I get that you really want a flute, but I think you need Jesus more than you need a flute.  I have never even considered buying someone a flute and I can’t see doing it now.  I’ll pray about it and you come back and see me tomorrow and we’ll talk some more.”  I hoped that would be the end of this, but as soon as we opened the next day there was Heather waiting for me.  Breathlessly she said, “Pastor John, Wedgles Pawn Shop has the perfect flute for me and it’s only $80.”  Much to my surprise I took $80 of God’s money and Heather and I went to Wedgles to get her flute.  She bounced out of Wedgles and as soon as we got in the car, she put it together and started playing it.  She continued in the day room at Christ’s Body until one of our guys asked me, “Please Pastor John can you ask her to play outside.  She’s driving us crazy with that flute.”

This was over a year ago and many weeks would pass by with no sign of Heather and then suddenly without warning Heather would drop in.  She was always a small, intense young black-haired bundle of energy.  In bits and pieces we came to know a little more about Heather.  She trusted no one, struggled with both mental illness and addiction to heroin.  Occasionally she was with a young man but never for long.  Sarah, Deb and myself all tried to break thru the walls and connect with her to try and get her help.  We heard that she had a daughter somewhere in Oregon.  Whatever family she once had she had lost all contact with.

Six months ago she showed up with a black eye and a broken nose.  We did everything we could to try to get her into the emergency room.  But she was too suspicious to go.  We called the hospital and found out that if her nose wasn’t set within 10 days it could not be fixed without an operation.  So from then on Heather’s nose had a permanent bend to it.  We were worried about her safety before and after this happened every time we saw her we tried to convince Heather to let us help her.

A few weeks ago the Denver Coroner’s office called Sarah Newell because they found her card on Heather’s body.  She had been dead 1-2 weeks when a passer by happened to spot her remains by the Platte River.  We never did hear what the cause of death was or whether they were ever able to locate or notify any next of kin.

There was no way Heather would ever let her picture be taken.  The only thing we have left is her flute, which I look at every day and pray for all the Heathers out there alone and scared.  Heather you drove us crazy, but we loved you and know God loves you even more.  I’m sorry we weren’t able to do more for you Heather.  This newsletter is our memorial to you.

This was and remains our prayer for Heather.  Psalm 34:18:
“ The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”