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LYRIC’S NAME SUITED HER PERFECTLY
By Deborah Janicke, Lyric’s mother |
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Her name suited her perfectly.
Lyric’s life was musical - a song of joy, a symphony of laughter and hope and radiant love.
Her father, Terry, and I were inspired to give her this wonderfully unique name when we went to the Lyric Opera in Kansas City, MO. Lyric was born September 20, 1980.
From her first steps, Lyric walked a path of promise. She began reading at the age of two. At the age of 11, she dedicated her life to Christ. In sixth grade, she decided that she would attend an Ivy League school.
Lyric achieved the rare balance of spontaneous delight and rigorous self-discipline. Her bright mind quickly unlocked the mysteries of math, language and science; her bright smiles and songs lit up a room like sunlight chasing the night.
After completing grade school, Lyric moved with me to Morocco in 1992 to attend the Casablanca American School. She learned even more about the beauty and elegance of God’s earth by immersing herself in Moroccan culture, history and friendships. She continued to develop her lifelong passion for theater, joining Moroccan classmates in a variety of performances that spoke the universal language of laughter and song.
By the end of high school, Lyric spoke three languages. She achieved yet another goal and became class valedictorian. She delivered her farewell speech in English, French and Arabic.
When we returned to the United States in 1998, Lyric was able to fulfill her childhood dream of attending an Ivy League school. She was accepted to two Ivy League schools and chose Yale University. She didn’t just seem to attend Yale as much as she took it by storm. In short order, almost everyone on campus seemed to know the name "Lyric." Students cherished their loving friendships with her. She had an infinite capacity for openness and honesty, seeing the unique excellence she knew each person bore.
Lyric took the Christian message of "Love Thy Neighbor" to heart. She loved without condition. If she said you were the brightest, most gifted, most beautiful person on earth, you believed her.
In 2002, Lyric received a degree in theatrical arts from Yale with distinction. She embarked on her acting career with vigor. Even before graduating, she had found an agent in New York and had participated in several auditions.
Once in New York, she achieved a quick string of successes in radio, television and print, with the promise of more to come. In addition to doing TV and radio commercial voice-overs for a variety of clients, Lyric appeared on "All My Children" and "Law and Order."
More importantly, she discovered the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church, which spoke to her soul. She found God’s glory expressed in the Church’s songs and inspired messages of hope. As she matured spiritually, she saw that God loves nothing more than to smile upon all of us.
Lyric was killed in April 2003 by her ex-fiancé. Our family chose to donate her organs and tissues. A statement from the family serves as testament to the choice:
"We are grateful for the outpouring of support and generosity we have received from friends, New Yorkers and the general public after the tragic death of our daughter Lyric. To honor Lyric’s life and spirit, we made the decision to donate her organs and tissues so that others could live. It comforts us to know that Lyric’s organs have already given five people the gift of life: Her kidneys went to two people; her heart now beats in someone else’s chest; both her lungs are helping a young adult breathe; and her liver saved the life of a young teenager.
"In addition, her pancreas was donated for islet cell research that will help insulin-dependent diabetics make their own insulin; her skin will help burn victims; her bones may save limbs, provide mobility and prevent pain. We hope that Lyric’s gift will inspire others to consider organ donation."
As exemplified in the outpouring of sympathy for her passing, Lyric’s life bridged nationalities, religions, public pursuits and private beliefs. Now, as our dear Lyric sits at the hand of the Lord, we know He is smiling more brightly than ever. He has brought Home the daughter, the granddaughter, the sister, the niece and friend whose life shall always remain for us the most beautiful Lyric of all.
[Editor’s Note: Deborah and her husband Gregory have now returned to live in Morocco.]
More Information...
- Lyric Marie Benson - Life Story
- LYRIC’S LIGHT SHINES ON THROUGH OTHERS - By Terry Benson, Lyric’s father
- Lyric Marie Benson: A Photo Album
For more about Lyric, see the family’s own websites at www.lyricsgift.org and www.LYRICofLIFE.org
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