Good-Bye, Nicole

The following is an article written in memory of a cheerleader, Nicole Lynn Armand, at my former high school, Brazoswood, by Nicole's employer, Buddy Scott. Nicole recently lost her battle with cancer and she will be missed by so many members of my Brazoswood family and my hometown, Lake Jackson. Good-bye, Nicole. Rest in the arms of Jesus.

Teen’s spirit, life will live on

By Buddy Scott The Facts

Published August 23, 2008

The funeral of Nicole Lynn Armand, 16, living with her mother, Sandy Armand-Wells, and stepfather, David Wells, was Tuesday of this week. The service was at Family Life Church with the Rev. Craig Taylor officiating. This column shares a bit of the inspiration of that service.

I was privileged to have Nicole on my staff as a receptionist. We developed a deep mutual respect. I was awed by how dependable, dedicated, smart, motivated and full of faith she was. Sometimes, I felt as if I was on holy ground when I was with her. She was such an amazing inspiration to every life she touched.

Aubrey Williams, 18, Kelly Scott, 18, and I wrote a piece we titled: What Nicole Would Like Her Friends to Do. Aubrey and Kelly read it to her friends at the service:

1) Live loyal to Christ, the one who replaced Nicole’s mortal pain with heavenly splendor ... and don’t blame him for not answering prayer according to human design. Trust our Lord to know best. Like Nicole, worship God with trust.

2) Build a reputation that gives hope to family members and friends when you, too, leave this world.

3) Be comforted, knowing that you will once again see Nicole’s beautiful smile, heart and soul.

4) Remember her as Nicole Lynn Armand: The excited cheerleader who loved life. Not Nicole Lynn Armand: The girl who had cancer. (Cancer didn’t define her; it never conquered her spirit.)

5) Be supportive of Nicole’s family.

6) Be supportive of research that’s fighting to conquer diseases.

7) Always remember the inside jokes and memories you shared with Nicole.

8) Continue getting together with friends, keeping Nicole in your thoughts.

9) Get beyond this and go back to school strong.

10) Pursue your passions and accept no limitations to the good, the true, and the beautiful before you.

11) Walk through this world —both in school and in life — with decency, dignity and integrity. Be respectable, and you’ll be respected.

12) Volunteer: Be valuable to God and others as you prepare to leave a lasting legacy.

13) There’s no number 13. Just do the above, and it’ll be cool beans!

Aubrey and Kelly concluded the reading by saying, “OK ... so let’s live true to what our friend, Nicole Lynn Armand, wants us to do.”

(Note: When Nicole was impressed by something, she said, “Cool beans!” When she was happy about something that was beautiful or felt really nice, she exclaimed, “Fantabulous!” And when she wanted to express surprise, she said, “Jeez!” Keeping that vocabulary lesson in mind, you are prepared to read the following piece:)

I compiled the passages and titled the piece: Three Cheers from Jesus, according to Nicole’s Expressive Version of the Bible, and I printed it in honor of all cheerleaders and all audiences they lead in cheers.

There are three verses of scripture in the New Testament where Jesus says, “Be of good cheer.” What message is in them for you?

“Behold, the disciples brought to Jesus a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.” And the disciples surely said, “Cool beans!” (Matthew 9:2, NEV).

“When the disciples saw Jesus walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure,” and they all surely said, “Jeez!” (Mark 6:49-51, NEV).

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world!” And to that good tiding of great joy, even to this day people should say, “Fantabulous!” (John 16:33, NEV).

Nicole and Jesus had something in common. She, too, overcame the world. As Kelly said, “Cancer never conquered Nicole’s spirit. Between treatments, she worked for His Love, attended cheerleading practice and cheer camp, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Walk for Life, and hung out with her many friends.”

Facts correspondent Buddy Scott is director of His Love Counseling Services in Lake Jackson.