Today is another milestone day as most of
Daniel's Whitworth friends went through their graduation ceremony this
afternoon. It is hard to believe that Daniel would be graduating (at
least I hope he would have finished in the requisite four years!), but it
is even harder to believe that he is not here to graduate. Seeing
Daniel's local friends finishing college and corresponding with his Whitworth
friends are bittersweet experiences for us as we struggle with our pain over
his absence from this, another momentous occasion we so looked forward to
sharing with him on this earth.
And, one of Daniel's Whitworth friends got married several weeks ago in Texas with Daniel serving as an honorary groomsman. Just last week, another of his Denver friends (one of the Fab Five) told us that Daniel will serve in this capacity at his wedding this fall as well. Obviously these are loving, kind and heartwarming gestures, though we struggle so much wishing that Daniel was present for these occasions as well as for a wedding of his own one of these days.
But even so, there are so many mysteries along this path . . .
Several weeks ago, the development office at Whitworth contacted us to let us know that the seniors this spring voted to raise money among themselves and their families and add their official Senior Gift to the Daniel Burtness Leadership Award endowment at Whitworth. We were very touched by this gesture and recently we learned that a Whitworth alum/trustee couple heard about this gift and decided to give $5,000 to the cause as well as trying to stimulate 75% participation among the class by offering to give a second gift if the class achieved that level. Last we heard, they are nearing 40% so I doubt they will reach the challenge, but we are still humbled and grateful that Daniel's memory is being kept alive and that he is being honored in this way by his classmates.
And, one of Daniel's Whitworth friends got married several weeks ago in Texas with Daniel serving as an honorary groomsman. Just last week, another of his Denver friends (one of the Fab Five) told us that Daniel will serve in this capacity at his wedding this fall as well. Obviously these are loving, kind and heartwarming gestures, though we struggle so much wishing that Daniel was present for these occasions as well as for a wedding of his own one of these days.
But even so, there are so many mysteries along this path . . .
Several weeks ago, the development office at Whitworth contacted us to let us know that the seniors this spring voted to raise money among themselves and their families and add their official Senior Gift to the Daniel Burtness Leadership Award endowment at Whitworth. We were very touched by this gesture and recently we learned that a Whitworth alum/trustee couple heard about this gift and decided to give $5,000 to the cause as well as trying to stimulate 75% participation among the class by offering to give a second gift if the class achieved that level. Last we heard, they are nearing 40% so I doubt they will reach the challenge, but we are still humbled and grateful that Daniel's memory is being kept alive and that he is being honored in this way by his classmates.
We feel like these gestures are truly part of God's grace to us in our pain and they warm our hearts even though those same hearts feel broken so much of the time.
As I was reminded recently, Anglicans and Episcopalians do a great job reminding us of the many mysteries of our lives and in our faith. In my continuing befuddlement, I find it helpful to worship in a context that allows for and even celebrates mystery. We don't have it all figured out and indeed we see through a glass dimly. The experience of grief in particular somehow seems a bit easier when one recognizes that there really are no simple answers to this predicament.
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