...at his memorial service
in Boothbay Harbor, Maine...
Loving One, Holy God:
All of our sadness, all of our
memories, all of our hopes and even our regrets are known to you. You are always close, as near to us now as
our breathing, as real to us now as the salty tears we both resist and welcome.
Today we are reminded that you were
always close, always near, always there for Charlie too. It was hard sometimes for him to know,
difficult for him to see you and trust you—but your mercy followed him day by
day by day. And you loved him, you loved
Charlie relentlessly: from the sweet beginning of his life to the last and
heartbreaking hours.
We know that addiction tormented him,
that it puzzled and tormented him for so much of his life. But we bear witness today, even today, that
it did not, that it could not define him or his sweet spirit. Instead, it is your grace that forever
measures his life. It is your love that
wraps our memories in gratitude and tenderness.
Charlie was yours: and in his life, in his bright spirit, even in his
brokenness, we touched your face. We
glimpsed your light. Charlie was yours.
We thank you, sweet and
merciful God, for holding him close, for bearing his pain, for receiving his
spirit. And we thank you for walking
dear Charlie through the valley of the shadow of death and into the bright
light of a new and liberating day.
Through today’s tears, even in our own sadness, we dare to see him now,
full of life, radiant and whole, at home in the kingdom of love and friendship,
your kingdom which knows no end.
So it is, Lord of Love,
that we remember and cherish and commit Charlie to your generous care. We remember his sweet and radiant smile. We remember his grace on the slopes of the
mountains he loved. We remember his
concern for his family, his devotion to those he loved. He is free now of so much pain and
suffering. Let his soul find rest and
joy in your company, and in the deep peace he surely knows there.
We pray today for those
of us who loved him, especially for John and Sarah, and for Catherine and
Scott, and for Sosha and Wilson. Their
particular grief surely breaks your holy, sacred heart. Their sadness is a heavy burden you most
certainly bear as well.
This hour, dear God, we
pray your holy blessing, your deep and healing mercy upon them: not just today,
but in all the days to come. Soothe the
hurt of this strange and difficult summer.
Inspire memories that heal and renew.
And help us all to find strength and hope and kindness in our love for
one another. It is, O God, in such love
that you are moving, moving, moving among us toward peace and healing in these
days.
We ask these prayers in
hope and in grace, trusting in the relentless and tender love of Jesus. Amen.
