Obituaries

   There's an old saw that maintains that the difference between neurosis and psychosis is that in psychosis we don't know what is real while in neurosis we know what is real it just makes us mad (or maybe sad). If that definition holds I suspect I'm more neurotic than psychotic.
    How old I was when I began reading obituaries I don't remember but, I do now, and suspect I'm not alone. Living Lutheran, a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Church publishes obituaries of pastors and other church workers who have died. The December 2019, issue had an obituary for a pastor I knew; Lee Wesley, age 86. In 2009 Joanne and I accompanied Ed and Mary Jane to San Diego to mark 50 years since Ed and I were there in Marine Boot Camp. San Diego boasts the largest outdoor organ in the world and there are concerts with this instrument on Sunday afternoons. Joanne wanted to hear the organ so we attended the concert. After the concert we were pleased to see Lee Wesley, who was wintering in San Diego.
    We knew Lee because, when Joanne was CEO of Lutheran Services in America,(LSA), Lee was Executive Director of Lutheran Community Services, New York, a member agency of LSA. This was the last time either of us saw Lee.
     All the above is prelude to telling of my reaction when I saw Lee's obituary. My first thought was "now there's one less person in the world who remembers Joanne." Gradually Joanne's legacy is fading. Fewer persons remember her and their memories of her become less distinct. Which  brings me to my neurosis; I recognize that inevitable reality, which makes me more sad than mad. This fading is the way of all that is temporal...but I don't have to like it!
    Comfort comes in remembering the myriad who called her "role model" and "mentor" believing that Joanne's influence continues to be felt in the world through those who fell under her influence. So, as I live with presence of absence in the land of grief, I cling to the belief that Joanne lives through many others.

Takk for alt,

Al