Our Father’s eyes are smiling
’cause He loves the likes of we.
He’s the God of all compassion
for we’re selfish as can be.
The shamrock is a symbol
of a God that’s One-but-three.
And in Patrick’s name we honor
He who died for you and me!
The above lyrics can be sung to “When Irish Eyes are Smiling!”
I see a face
within the smoke
as bombs explode.
This is no joke.
It’s ominous.
There’s loss of life.
All war is living hell!
May God who looks down
on this plight
cause saner minds
to end this fight.
And may the One
who rules our world
protect the innocent.
(I saw this face in the explosive sky while watching news coverage of the war in Tehran on CNN.)
He was somebody!
Somebody
born to a teenage
unwed mom!
Somebody
who dropped out
of college!
Somebody
who marched
with MLK Jr.!
Somebody
who preached
the good news!
Somebody
who protested
against bad news!
Somebody
who ran for
President (twice)!
Somebody
who reminded us
we are somebody!
Somebody
who kept
hope alive!
Somebody
who made our world
a better place!
Somebody
whose legacy
is ours to live out!
Peace to his memory!
In the bleak midwinter time
when life feels blank and doesn’t rhyme,
when melting snow looks more like grime
joy plays at hide and seek.
This is the time of year I pine
for longer days and warm sunshine,
for river cruising on the Rhine.
Oh, how I long for spring.
But since drab days await me still,
I’ll dress to counteract the chill
and bravely climb up winter’s hill
to view what soon will come.
We celebrated the life and faith of Zach Mason (the son of my college classmate) last Saturday. It was the day before the Seahawks final game of this unforgettable season. Ironically, the last time I spent time with Zach was the Saturday before the Seahawks first game of the season last September.
That was the day I was able to host him in his wheelchair on a tour of the Seahawks training facility in Renton. Both Saturdays were bittersweet occasions. I shared with the congregation last Saturday memories of that first Saturday when Zach focused his gaze on the Vince Lombardi trophy from Super Bowl XLVIII displayed in the VMAC lobby.
In my eulogy I shared my hope that the Seahawks would add a second Super Bowl trophy with a win over the Patriots as a way of honoring Zach. In my preparation to speak at Zach’s memorial, I discovered another irony. Zach passed away two weeks shy of his 40th birthday from Lou Gehrig’s Disease. What I didn’t know was that Lou Gehrig died two weeks before his 38th birthday.Both men, who died way too young, credited their parents with helping them achieve in their various platforms of pursuit. Both had optimistic outlooks on life. They were thumbs-up young men!
As I looked back at the photos I took of Zach on the day we toured the VMAC, it dawned on me how often he posed with a thumbs-up gesture. That inspired me to write the following poem to share at the memorial service. (It was put to music by our gifted friend Dave Irish.)
Thumbs-up Zach,
you signaled hope.
Your ready smile
(though steep the slope)
conveyed a faith
in One unseen
to whom your soul belongs.
Thumbs-up Zach,
we miss your smile
that eased our worries
midst your trials.
Your can-do gesture
was a sign
that all would be okay.
Thumbs-up Zach,
you loved your girl.
She was the essence
of your world.
With Zoe,
you found inner strength
to persevere and fight.
Thumbs-up Zach,
you are okay.
Your skies are blue,
while ours are gray.
You’re home with Jesus,
strong and free.
Someday we will be too!
* Zachary Christian Mason is survived by his parents Dick and Debra, his brother Jordan and his daughter Zoe. Peace to his memory!
My Rhymes and Reasons 