Mike’s Journey
October 11, 2014
Today we gather together to remember Mike, so let us take a moment in
quiet to reflect on our individual relationship with Mike.
Mike … as a brother
… as a husband
… as a father
… as a friend
Life is sometimes described as a journey, and within that journey we
often use the phrase that we see the light at the end of the tunnel to refer to
the end of a troublesome situation.
I believe Mike was for almost 2 years grappling with the journey to that light
at the end of his tunnel.
This light at the end of the tunnel can be referred to as the opposite of
darkness, a darkness of doubt and fear that can engulf us, that was so real
to Mike.
This light can also be referred to the opposite of something being heavy.
Mike has been relieved of the heavy burden of illness.
And our thoughts turn to Elisabeth, Curtis, Martin and to all who mourn.
May their burden of loss and grief be lightened. May their moments of
darkness be offset by the light of a peace that surpasses all human
understanding, their path be lit by the love and assurance of those who
have gone before them.
Within Mike’s journey was his baptism into the Christian church. Though
not a churchy religious guy on the exterior there was a seed of faith that
had been planted within him. As a secular man he grabbed the steering
wheel of life and set as a goal getting those journeying with him, home, to a
safe destination.
In closing I will refer to a text from the Bible, Matthew’s gospel:
Matthew 11.28–30
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
… and a word of prayer:
Gracious God, support us all the day long of this earthly life, until the
shadows lengthen and the evening comes,
the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then, O God, in your mercy,
grant us safe lodging, a holy rest,
and peace at the last;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
… and a word from the poet Walt Whitman
A Clear Midnight
This is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless,
Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done,
Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest
the best,
Night, sleep, death, and the stars.
We now commit Mike’s mortal remains to the earth. A man no longer seen,
a voice no longer heard, but a soul that will forever remain in our heart,
mind and spirit.
