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!