“How lucky am I to have known someone who makes saying goodbye so hard”
You may have heard that Jim Quinn has recently passed away. I first began working with Quinn 30 years ago. What started as a professional relationship blossomed into one of the greatest friendships I’ve ever known. There aren’t enough words to fully capture the depth of his selflessness in our friendship, but I’d like to share just a few ways in which Jim showed his incredible character to others.
We’ve all heard the saying that you can measure someone’s character by how they treat those who can do nothing for them. That was Jim Quinn to the core. He was always looking for someone he could bless. I can’t tell you how many times I’d be on the phone with him, and he’d suddenly cut the conversation short because he was “on a mission.” That “mission” was often as simple as following a veteran around the grocery store to pay for their groceries without them knowing.
I remember volunteering at the flood relief center in Sharpsburg after Katrina. The need was overwhelming, and I called Jim to share my frustration. I told him we needed stoves, refrigerators, and basic supplies. The next thing I knew, a truckload of appliances showed up at the center, all arranged by Jim. He asked that I keep it anonymous, but I think it’s ok to share that story now. Over the years, he did things like this repeatedly—always quietly and without seeking any recognition.
As many of you know, Jim began calling me “Church Lady” on air because of my love for Jesus. I’d share my faith with him often, and sometimes, his responses would go way over my head—talking about quantum physics and the big bang theory. I never knew how to answer that! About two years ago, I began taking him to different churches, and last August, while sitting in one of those churches, he turned to me and said, “I’ve found my church. We don’t need to look anymore.” From that moment on, he attended every Sunday, praising God with a heart full of the Holy Spirit.
The only thing that brings me comfort right now is the certainty that Jim is in Heaven. No doubt about it. And I can just imagine him up there, asking God if there’s a smoking section—because I’m sure he’s there with Rush, lighting one up. Always pushing the envelope.
In my opinion, Jim was one of the most talented individuals this city has ever known, though he never got the recognition he deserved. That used to bother me. When I told him that, he’d shrug it off, saying it never mattered to him. He loved what he did, and that was enough. Jim was never envious—he was genuinely happy for the success of others.
Honestly, how many people do you know like that?
Rose Tennent
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WORTH DYING FOR
The Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
Constitution of the United States
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America
The Bill of Rights
The conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution