For Everything, There is a season...

From Jim: I generally don't do funerals. There have been a few exceptions and Steve's service will be one. It's not that I don't feel great respect for others and their families, it's a weakness of mine that keeps me away from most of these occasions. With Steve, the connections were so deep, lots of years and kids that were friends, it just really seems important to be there. Our beliefs tell us that he is no longer here and today will be for his family and the others that will miss him so much. We will be there for them. Steve's deep religious faith tells us he is home, at last. He has found his peace. We are all too familiar with the cycle of life and death here at the sanctuary and acceptance is our response to this reality. That sure doesn't mean we claim to understand the eternal questions of Why and Why Now? That's for a much higher authority to know. I'm glad Steve was my friend. I'm glad I told him often how much I enjoyed our times together. A trip to his shop was a lot more that a business transaction. There were always laughes and updates on families and some time to remember when our kids were young and so were we. Our horses are a constant reminder of what being a social critter is all about. We need each other and all less complete without one another. The herd knows that and so should we. Like them, we'll acknowledge the loss, mourn for our friend, and, holding the memories close, get on with it. For all of our friends, Thanks for being a part of this journey. You make a difference to us. It's still the season to let you know that.