I just came home from the memorial service for the Reverend Ken Peterson, my husband’s associate at our church. They have served together for 7 years and his death leaves a hole that cannot be filled. As I sat in the pew and looked at the altar area I couldn’t help but weep as I pictured Ken’s face, Ken’s voice, Ken’s tears, Ken’s laughter, Ken’s love. How does one say goodbye to such a man?
The truth is, I need only say goodbye in part. His presence is so palpable in our midst, so felt, so real that on some level I know he is still with us. His impact on our community of faith has been profound. And his impact on every person with whom he interacted is equally significant – including me.
I am not the same because of his affirmation of me: of my preaching, of my leadership, of my seminary education, of my speaking…I am certain that I will not be able to be in our church without remembering him, smiling, and feeling closer to God because of his undying, confident, strapping faith.
As I saw his family – Betty, John, Steve, David, Tom, Jan, and all the spouses and grandchildren and many, many others who gathered – I saw again his legacy, his profound impact, his presence. So again, I need not completly say goodbye. I will encounter him again when I am blessed with the gift of their presence.
Today we said goodbye. And we said it well. My husband did a glorious job of honoring him, complete with a beautiful accapela version of The Lord’s Prayer as a benediction. But I cannot say goodbye completely. It is too hard. Graciously, God doesn’t require such of me and will let me miss him, celebrate him, and continue to “see” him in places, faces, and memories.
We’ll miss you, Ken. We love you. Celebrate well, good and faithful servant.
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