Memorial Day

The impetus for this day is generally accepted to be military in nature. We are supposed to remember the brave men & women who have lost their lives in service to their country.

But every day should be a "memorial day". We should remember all of those who have gone before us and are now no longer with us. Yes, we should try to live in the moment, in the here and now, but reflection of where we are, how we got here and those who have gone before us is always a worthwhile exercise.

The pastor of the church whose school my son attends passed away suddenly a few days ago. They found him in the morning sitting in his easy chair with the TV still on. While my anti-TV sentiments might compel me to suggest that perhaps the TV was the cause, in all likelihood he suffered a major heart attack and departed quickly and quietly. My own father passed away similarly last May. While it's hard for us left behind, it does seem like the preferred way to go for the victim.

"Father Charlie" was a wonderful, warm human being, kind and considerate. In fact, when I spoke to him about our Boy Scout troop based in the school and comprised mostly of boys who attend the school, he informed me that he had been a Boy Scout. That being the case, he must have been trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean & reverent. Going down that list, none of those traits seems out of place when describing Father Charlie.

There was a memorial service this evening in the church, presided over by his older brother, who is also a priest. His brother gave an uplifting talk about Father Charlie, describing his life which necessarily entailed some autobiographical information. He talked about their parents and their independent decisions to enter the priesthood. He quoted the old saying "the apples don't fall far from the trees" to which he said Father Charlie added "and neither do the nuts". I won't forget that one.

Father Hugh reminded me a lot of Father Charlie, who had been the pastor of a church down the street from my house before moving to the next town to the east and then returning to the church with the school here in town. I remember Father Charlie's sermons, not any particular one in detail, but the fact that they were clear, logical, inspiring and, above all, intelligent. Both priestly brothers seemed to possess significantly above average intelligence and a capacity to author and deliver oratories that reveal their love of life and easy-going contentment.

Every day I feel more and more that growing contentment in my own life, born of an appreciation for all the great things that happen on a daily basis lately. Our 4 kids are all doing well in very good schools and the list of extraordinary events from the recent past and the near future are each happenings which would bring gladness to a parent when taken by itself. When viewed in the aggregate, I have to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming all of this.

Life is great and getting greater all the time.