August 13, 2004

Epitaph

We went to Family Camp the last week of July. All our children and all our grandchildren were with us at beautiful N-Sid-Sen on the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene. The program for adults addressed life's transition, birth, coming of age, marriage and death. In the conversation about death we were asked to write our own obituary. I remembered an incident in a restaurant and wrote a little poem about it: The Pastor's Last Sermon . . . Breakfasting at IHOP the man in the next booth finished talking to his wife on his walkie-talkie. He said: God bless! I love you. I'm gone! I swiped the words thinking they were the ideal obituary. God bless! What more can be said about life? Every morning is an undeserved gift. Each evening a blessing. If not blessed, then life is something less than was promised. I love you sums up the prophets and the law. To love and be loved is life's greatest promise and our finest achievement. Love trumps dislike, finesses anger and spite, defeats ennui. In the end there is faith hope and love. You know which is the greatest. I'm gone. I suspect this is a finality only from the perspective of the living. Who is to say to where I have gone when I depart this breathing physical body? I'm gone suffices— and contains within its finality the hope of another meeting, as when the man in the IHOP returns home to love's arms. Posted by Donel at August 13, 2004 11:01 PM

Don:
You realize, of course, that I've not quite given up preaching, and that I'm teaching a class on FaithStories in my local church, and that I plan to plagiarize you widely - beginning with this poem.
As always, your words cut to the heart and quick of the reality.
Bob

Posted by: Bob Olmstead at August 16, 2004 09:43 AM

Donel,
We hope this is the latest sermon and not the last sermon.
Love and peace
Larry

Posted by: Larry at August 16, 2004 02:07 PM

Hi Donel, I too want to use that poem, it's fabulous! I'll be praying for surgical success and a speedy recovery and reading along here as you share your reflections. God bless! -- Sue

Posted by: Sue at August 16, 2004 08:44 PM

Good Morning Donel,
Here is proof to you that I do occassionally read my e-mail. I will check it faithfully for your updates.

Your poem is beautiful. With your permission, I too would like to share it with others from time to time.

Lovingly,
Bobbi

Posted by: Bobbi Virta at August 17, 2004 08:34 AM

Of course you are welcome to use the poem. I'm honored that anyone would want to. I have always considered preaching to be a process of compilation honoring the words and ideas of others. If we were to adhere to the scholarly standards of writing, the footnotes would be far longer than the sermon.

Posted by: Donel McClellan at August 17, 2004 09:25 AM

Dear Don,

Prayers to God and love to you tomorrow and every day of your healing.

Mary

Posted by: Mary Becker at August 17, 2004 07:08 PM

Dear Don,

I still don't much have a taste for birthday breakfast, but you I will always miss! Please, give my love to all and know that I send positive thoughts and hope your way.

lots of love,
stacie (& family)

Posted by: Stacie at August 18, 2004 09:02 PM

Since my mother, Elsie Nugent, moved here to Houston I have tried to keep her up-to-date on what's going on in Bellingham via the internet. Thank you for sharing your "adventure". Your poem is beautiful, moving and one I will always cherish. Mother's and my prayers are with you and your family.

Posted by: Judy Pearson at August 19, 2004 07:08 AM

Wow - What an amazing use of technology this all is Donel. You and Larry may have me singing more praises here... I'm praying for the internet-closing nurse - may she see the light,
gillian

Posted by: Gillian at August 20, 2004 10:49 AM

You'll not be surprised to learn your poem brought tears to my eyes, Donel. Indeed, they are great words for an epitaph, I only hope they won't be needed for a very long time! The surgery has gone well and you can focus on recovery now. Yeah! Hurray!

With love and an e-hug,

Kathy Seibert

Posted by: Kathy Seibert at August 20, 2004 01:25 PM

I'm so pleased with the report on the success of the surgery and the good news of alertness already on the day after. May healing be quick and uneventful!

Also, I, like others, enjoyed the sermon/poem. Earlier I had saved one of your poems from the church newsletter to possibly share with the poetry group that meets at Westminster in Spokane, so I already knew that you are a fine craftsman with words. I look forward to reading new creations you may share in the days ahead.

Posted by: Randy Hyvonen at August 20, 2004 02:19 PM

Such very good news of excellent progress Donel, plus evidence of twin marvels of modern technology: The blog allows continuous communication and virtual closeness despite geographic distance; and medical technology allows one to feel lucky to be diagnosed with a life-threatening disease which can now be effectively treated. People used to "just die" of "consumption" or "old age", but now the wonders of surgery allow roto-rootering of vessels, through the temporary moving aside of vital organs, then the body just heals itself back up. A wondrous occasion. And I too love the poem. God bless you

Posted by: Kristin at August 20, 2004 03:41 PM
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