A sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming

by chuckofish

A couple of days ago I received a letter from a man in California writing to tell me his father had died. Bob was one of my former students at my flyover university institute. After a successful career at IBM, he had diligently pursued his hobby of photography and he was, among other things, our unofficial photographer, taking pictures at all events. When he moved to California with his wife in 2010, we had a luncheon for him at our faculty club and he was so touched that we had honored him that way. He was a truly humble man, a man who “went down to his house justified” for sure.

I am blessed to have known quite a few “Bobs” in my life and in my career. They believe(d) in duty, honor, supporting their family and their country, volunteering their time and talent. They were curious lifelong leaners. I remember once running into Bob and his wife on a Saturday trip to WalMart and they were excited because they had worked all morning in the yard and were going to reward themselves with lunch at Steak ‘n Shake. Small pleasures that are earned are best!

I can picture Bob giving his son a list of people to contact after he died to let them know he had passed away. He was organized like that and serious. He had hand addressed the envelope himself. He wanted us to know he hadn’t forgotten us. Nor, hopefully, we him.

Into paradise may the angels lead thee; and at thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.

(The painting is by William Mellor, 1851-1931.)