Monday, September 17, 2012

He lived to serve...

To the general population, he was a nobody.  He was unnoticed.  He was now just a very old man in a very weak body.  But to so many of us at different times and in different ways he was everything.  He was rich in Spirit.  He was utterly fair and unbiased.  And he had a wonderful sense of humor.

In the fall of 1996, our baby girl died after three days of fighting for life.  We called him.  He was soon coming to shepherd our field, but he needed to finish up one privilege in Minnesota.  He kindly took our call. He kindly shared sympathy.  And he said with certainty, that a funeral was very necessary even though this baby hadn't met anyone outside of the hospital.  To this moment, I am thankful for his wisdom.  Although it was a hard experience at the time to stand there accepting sympathy from our multitude of friends and family, it was a balm that still soothes.  He told us at the funeral that Amara was in heaven because she did not sin.  Because of that thought, heaven has always seemed closer to us.  And we're thankful.

Throughout that year, he came often.  He said little gems at our table that have been a guide for us these past sixteen years.  One that I will share.  He looked at the Chairman and I.  He said, "I am sharing this not because I think you need the correction, but I am sharing this because I think it is good advice.  When you make friends with others, do not get too thick with just one other couple your age group.  Reach out to the old.  Help and encourage the young.  Invite all age groups to your home for meals.  It will help them and it will help you and unity can be strengthened."  We have never forgotten that.  And yes indeed, it is wonderful to share life with all generations.

We had the incredible privilege at being at his funeral.  The timing was no accident.  Everything about it was perfect.  I overheard one of the funeral people that was assisting say, "this is unbelievable".  Well maybe to her it was.  But to us it was very real.

For those of you that couldn't be with us, I will say just a few things.  The messages shared by the brothers was so right.  The hymns sung were lovely.  And the utter quietness of the thousand was such a tribute to a gentle man that loved quiet.  We all filed past at the end.  We all stood outside in a large group in utter silence.  The sisters and brothers filed out last.  The brothers that were pallbearers placed him gently in the rear of the white hearse.  And in the continued quiet, the hearse slowly drove away.   One of the older brothers slumped.  One of the middle-aged ones grabbed him and gave him a hug and strength to bear.  It was such a beautiful picture.

There is a huge gap.  But the beauty is that gaps are filled.  More rise up to fill those gaps.  But the very sweet and special influence will permeate this state for years to come.

16 comments:

  1. Thanks for this post. His influence on me was so quiet and subtle that I really was hardly aware of it but I have appreciated it so much the past several (6? 7?) years as he's been noticeably in declining health...and I do/will miss him a lot. I was with him for a lunch visit the last day this spring that he felt remotely good at all...and we had a very nice time. Marvin R got him going telling old stories and he laughed as he talked, just like he used to.
    And yes, his special influence will be felt there for many years yet. I hope for a long long time!

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  2. Thank you for sharing. I'd never met him, but I could relate to everything you said. Aren't we just the richest people?? (That's the closest I can come to expressing the inexpressable feelings in my heart)

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  3. Thanks for your comments. We did not have the privilege to be at the service but one that was there shared some notes. The thing that impresses me was the utter silence at the end. It was shared that young Eric N lent a helping hand to old Erwin H, spanning a few generations. Mr Charles' influence will be felt in this state for years to come. Now our prayers must be with Rob.

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  4. Wonderful indeed. Thank you for putting such beauty into words!

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  5. Thanks Linda. We would have loved to be at his funeral. He was so ready to go home- we stopped on our way out of WI in June to say goodbye to him at the hospital. We knew it would be our last visit with him. A life well lived in such a humble way...

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  6. I'm so thankful that it worked for us to be at the Dells this year...

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  8. Yes, there is such a beauty in seeing those gaps filled. I went to Sydney Holt's funeral years ago, and the whole experience was so incredibly touching. I heard Sydney speak a few weeks before his death in Alberta and British Columbia, and was glad he finished this race.

    Neat to think they are together, as we will one day be! A neat reminder to the young, they can be the strength for the elderly to lean on. After all, the elderly are the pillars. Sometimes pillars just need a little more strength to keep strong. A wonderful picture of the elderly leaning on the young, while the young lean on the elderly. We are all needed to fill the gap!

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  9. Thank you very much for what you have shared. One thing I always admired about him was his unbiased thoughts. I was glad to see you share that same thinking! We appreciated his life. Thinking of those at Metter today. Glad for the wonderful memories of him and his faithful life!

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  10. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this with us. So thankful for lives that have served to the fullest.

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  11. Thanks for sharing, I never had the privilege of meeting him, but loved your thoughts!

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  12. what a lovely tribute!! I only knew him through others and a couple of conventions I attended. Thanks.

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