Uncle Ken

I close my eyes and reflect on the glorious day we said goodbye to our hero – Uncle Ken (my own dear dads older brother). God blessed us with thee most beautiful weather and perfect location. I could hear the Thorn Birds music playing in my head as I watched the family walk the tree lined path to the gravesite. Several of the married couples walked hand in hand as we took in the rustling branches and twinkling stars of sunlight shining through the constantly moving leaves. Each took their place on the lush grass surrounding the golden box holding my uncle’s shell. We were standing on sacred ground – I thought of the arc of the covenant. Uncle Ken’s dear friend and pastor shared words of comfort and joy from the Word to bring solace and hope to those of us laden with such heavy feelings of loss that afternoon. But we most assuredly knew that Uncle Ken is in the most magnificent place enjoying his transformed perfect body having finally reached his destination. The destination that is the culmination of all of his choices as he walked this precarious earth in his frail and failing human body. If God were to engrave Ken’s epitaph I’m fairly certain it would read “Well done – good and faithful servant – enter into my rest”.

I closed my eyes and looked upward and wrapped my arms around myself wanting to remember this moment forever. Wanting to always feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the sound of the rustling leaves. Wanting to engrave the sight of that golden box with Ken’s name so stately imprinted on top – with a blanket of red roses – into my memory for the rest of my days. I felt like I was in the presence of the divine. HE was there and HE was telling us that this was a life well lived, a life to be emulated, a life to honor and a life to remember.

It was time to leave. Slowly the family stepped back onto the path and strolled back to the chapel to honor the life of Kenneth William Nelson. Inside the walls of that chapel we heard all of Ken’s virtues extolled and so many memories of his impact on people’s lives shared, tears were cried and smiles formed at the mention of his servant heart. Each one having their own memories of how Ken crossed their path in life and made a significant profound impact. From colleagues to nieces and nephews – including his newly married into family…each was altered for the better because of their affiliation with Uncle Ken.

Once many had shared sentiments about this great man we moved into the reception hall to share condolences and laughter and more stories as we fed our needy earthly bodies with the charcuterie laid out for us. Breaking bread together – a most intimate activity to connect with people. Even where we had never met the person previous , we all had a common connection – Ken. I had the privilege of hearing the story from one man – a more recent friend of Ken’s – about the way Ken helped this man out of addiction and they had been friends ever since. I’m sure Ken’s impact reached much farther than any of us know.

Once we had visited and reminisced with all the cousins about days gone by – incidents that involved Ken and how he touched our lives, we started to disperse. I decided to visit the lady’s room in the chapel building. Just for respite. Not only was the décor absolutely beautiful, the room smelled heavenly with fresh flowers adorning the counter and poignant soft music playing in the background. I just wanted to sit and linger in this quiet, peaceful room and once again, remember this moment forever. Forever. And I will. As long as I walk the earth in this skin – I will remember this glorious day. I will not feel sad at my loss because knowing Uncle Ken and being part of his family and a recipient of his love was truly my gain and I shall see Him again on the other side. Selah.