After a long hiatus at this blog address, I'm posting my meditation at the Memorial Service for my good friend Dr. Kirk Lee of Albion, Michigan. The service was attended by over 600 by my estimation, in Goodrich Chapel of Albion College last Saturday, August 18. It was a privilege to work with Rev. Jeremy Williams of First United Methodist Church, Albion for this service.
Revelation 21:1-7 (NRSV) –Terry
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
I’m Terry Bobzien, longtime friend of the Lee’s. Loretta and I moved here just a few years before Kirk and Terri Jo came to Albion in 1981. When we first met them, we had a good laugh over the fact that Terri Jo and I are namesakes. Oh—my middle name isn’t ‘Joe.’ My middle name is ‘Lee.’ I was named for Terry Lee and the Pirates, bottom half of the front page in the Sunday Comic section in our town in the 40’s. Terri took her name enthusiastically when she married Kirk. With children of similar ages, our lives intersected frequently, notably at First United Methodist Church, in Albion Public Schools, and in Albion’s great swimming and diving programs. Loretta and I have since moved to Pittsford, in Hillsdale County, and remain dear friends with the Lee family.
Terri, Elexis, Matt, Dylan, Elyse, and Thomas, and all of Kirk’s family, hundreds here and untold more who are unable to be here today are sending you prayers for healing and consolation. This is a great loss. Husband. Father. Brother. For many of you, colleague. Friend of all. The world seems just a bit more empty today. While gathering up our sense of loss is a part of today’s work, it is far more important that we celebrate this life well-lived, with a ‘give-it-all-you’ve got’ attitude, that ever-present smile, the promise that ‘it will all work out,’ and a commitment to healing on many levels.
Think about the communities of which Kirk was a part. I’m thinking of more than just geography here, neighborhood, city, or town. I’m talking about the many webs of relationships in which he participated. In a few minutes, you’ll hear folks recount for you some poignant and some funny memories about his life while growing up, in family and in small town, in his profession of practicing and teaching Chiropractic Medicine, and among his many friends here in Albion. In all of these human communities and in many others, I want to offer you the memory of Kirk Lee as a healer. Healing hands. Healing presence. Healing wisdom.
You see, Kirk wasn’t a healer just at the office. Yes, it’s true that he helped thousands of people in his thirty years of Chiropractic care. Those were his healing hands, coupled with an able, caring, and intuitive mind. It didn’t stop, though, at the office door. In the communities of Albion and Calhoun County, Kirk was a steady presence with careful thought, rational compromise, and authentic leadership. His work on the Albion Public Schools Board of Education and Calhoun County Board of Commissioners was evidence of his desire to offer a vision of wholeness by serving a community of educators and students, and a community of regional government. Kirk wanted opportunity for all, so that everyone, man, woman, and child, could be all that they could be, if given opportunity, education, and encouragement.
That characterized Kirk’s work as a coach, too. He loved football, yes. And he wanted to be in a position to bring a vision of hope to those young men. Visions of integrity, character, and purpose.
Since meeting with the family last Tuesday, something Matt Meloy, Kirk’s son-in-law said has been ringing in my ears. He said—and I’m paraphrasing, “For Kirk, the bigger idea, the better. The more outlandish, wild, crazy the idea, the more he wanted to do it.” Kirk liked having fun, and his family remembers that he just wanted everyone to enjoy the dickens out of life. We’re in Goodrich Chapel, so that’s been edited. I’m reminded of one verse of Ecclesiastes 3. After the author writes a long paragraph of parallel Hebrew poetry, the familiar ‘To everything there is a season,’ he comes to his first conclusion in verse 12: “I know that there’s nothing better for them but to enjoy themselves and do what’s good while they live.” (CEB) Kirk is remembered that way by his family and friends.
Let’s take a minute to think about a part of that passage from Revelation 21 that I read a few minutes ago. “[God] will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more…” In the world which the author of Revelation describes here, God lives with the people of earth. God is present in every moment and every event. The tears are wiped from our eyes by our loving Creator. Death, grieving, sadness, and hurt are all erased forever. It’s a grand vision, and it’s almost too much for us to take in, or to hope for. In the life which is envisioned here, we are healed of every human infirmity, including death. Yes, God is with us in this moment, bringing comfort, borne out of the love of Christ and the promise of resurrection.
It is particularly hard for people of the 21st century to simply believe God’s promises of protection, comfort, and Kingdom living. Psalm 91 inspired Michael Joncas to write a favorite Christian song, “On Eagles’ Wings.” It begins, “You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, 'My Refuge, My Rock in Whom I trust.'" The refrain goes: “And He will raise you up on eagle's wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.”
Today, Kirk is resting in the palm of God’s hand, shining like the sun, and it for us who remain to carry on with his vision of healing and wholeness for our communities--our communities of family, neighborhood, profession and education, sports and recreation, encouragement, teaching, and mentoring. These are communities which embrace a broad world-view, which see the potential in every human being, which look into the future and act in the best interests of the generations which will follow. And it is up to us to pick up that torch today.
Never underestimate the value of today. For Kirk, there was a broad future vision, but somehow, the opportunities of ‘today’ always counted most. From ancient Sanskrit, this familiar poem brings home the point:
“Look to this day, for it is life.
In its brief course lie all the realities of your existence;
The bliss of growth, the glory of action, the splendor of beauty.
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.”
There is nothing but today in which to pick up where Kirk has left off, healing, caring, touching, and encouraging. The work ahead is now in our hands.
Rest in God, Kirk, and know that our love remains with you.
