.WE STILL REMEMBER

 

 

DAVID CUMMINGS SANBORN
September 5, 1941 – June 2, 1961

From the Memorial Service for David Cummings Sanborn
Sunday, June 11, 1961
The First Baptist Church
Nyack, N.Y.
Reverend Arthayer Sanborn

In the brilliant dawn of a September morn, David was born on September 5,  1941 in Framingham, Mass. a scant nine miles from his first parsonage home in Woodville, Mass. In his very first weeks of life he was known as "The Journal Baby" for he was the first baby to be featured in the HOW AMERICA LIVES Series of the Ladies Home Journal. He grew to be proud of the honor and the title.

His first steps were taken in his next parsonage home in Woonsocket, R.I. where, later as a student at Harris School, he won many honors. In the fall of 1953 he came to Nyack – the town which was his home in these maturing years – and the name which was to endear him to his classmates at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee where he was known as "Nyack – the Yankee Rebel."

Having just completed his sophomore year at college, he had returned to Lake Sunapee in N.H. to work for the summer –  when death reached out suddenly and grasped his young life just before midnight on Friday, June 2.

Always hampered by the breathlessness of asthma, he never shielded himself from living life to the full. He ran when he should have walked. He played hard at every game - be it soccer, hockey or football. Despite his handicap, he was never content to be a mere spectator; but thrust all his energy into living as he drained from life the fullness of joy.

He found happiness in little things – the songs of the birds – the arms of a mighty pine tree swaying in the wind – the spray of the lake beating against his face – the glow of the evening sunset streaking across the mountains standing neighbor to the N.H. home he loved so much. He loved life and was ready to carve out of it a thing to be cherished. With such contagious enthusiasm he enjoyed the wonders of God's world – on the farm caring for his pet calves – on the sands of Maine searching for sand dollars – skiing down the trails of his beloved Mt. Sunapee in winter and in summer skimming along on his water skis on the lake nestled in the foothills of the mountain. Life, indeed, was brimming full.

He was a restless youth burning with desire and learning from his mistakes. He hurried along the roads of youthful adventure seeking the landmarks of truth and honesty. In his few years he was caught up in a compassion for those in need. He walked with those who needed someone to share a burden. His words, though few, resounded with a depth of understanding and in his eyes was the twinkle of humor which brightened the lives of many. But he saw in life a challenge - hard and daring. The lines of truth etched in his mind caused him to see good in those about him. Within his soul stirred a desire to help others and to find peace for himself and all mankind.

He struggled with the complexities and conundrums of life. But he was determined to make something of himself. And in his quest he had found his way to God - the God of wisdom, of truth, of love and of hope. And now he speaks to reassure us of this same God who moves mysteriously to perform his miracles of love.

And so the memories that flood over us all, ripple over cascades of unforgettable moments as he learned to accept a physical weakness and master it - almost. But he did go out to meet the challenges of his dreams and had turned to art to express his love of beauty and color. His hopes for the tomorrows are not ended. For other hands and hearts will carry on to fulfilment his unfinished hopes and dreams.

Though his body rests 'neath the outstretched arms of a giant pine tree in his beloved New Hampshire, his spirit moves on to claim the wideness of the earth he longed to travel. His love shall never die for it is eternal. And through that love he shall inspire and strengthen us that we may remember. And remembering we might so live that we may complete that which he did not have time to do.
 

    Text provided courtesy 
of Bob Zehner.

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Page created  December 7, 2000

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