Death

Thumbs-Up, Zach!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Zach Mason in the center with his dad Dick (left) and Seahawks legend Jim Zorn (right)

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!

All Saints Sunday Homework

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Cemeteries are holy ground where seeds of love are sown

You took the time to hand out treats
to pintsize bandits on the street
who rang your bell last Friday night.
It’s what you do each year.

But then come Sunday, did you list
the names of those you dearly miss
who left us through the door of death
within the past twelve months?

There’s Halloween and All Saints Day.
We know the first, but dare I say
we often overlook  the next
and fail to pay our dues.

It’s not too late. There still is time
to make a list. There’s yours and mine.
And thank the Lord for those we’ve lost
who we won’t e’er forget.

Peace to their memory!

In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.

A Tribute to a Favorite Aunt

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Greg and his father’s youngest sister

The angels came for her last night,
my dad’s surviving sib.
My Auntie Loie was my fav
since I was just a kid.

She made me feel like I was king.
She spoiled me for sure.
So, when I think of relatives,
my mem’ries are of her.

Her life was not a piece of cake.
Much heartache took its toll.
But Loie learned to lean upon
the Savior of her soul.

When I grew up and lost my way,
my Auntie Lo was there.
She helped me focus, gave me space
and counseled me with prayer.

I found my footing once again
with gratitude to her.
My dad’s kid sister welcomed me
just like her Jesus served.

Though Loie’s gone, her love remains.
It’s deep within my heart.
Before she left, she graced my life
with much that leaves a mark.

Peace to her memory!

P.S. Loie died as Wendy and I were celebrating our oldest daughter’s wedding in Chicago. It truly was a bittersweet day!

In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s channel.

Remembering the Sundance Kid

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Robert Redford’s iconic portrayal in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

“Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head”
because the Sundance Kid is dead.
The entertainer won our hearts
the way we were back then.

The sting of death can’t be ignored.
But thanks to God, our risen Lord
has robbed the grave of endless grief
and offers life beyond.

Eternal life’s reserved for those
whose faith in Christ (with hope) still grows
as they await a promised joy
that will not be denied.

Peace to his memory!

Speaking of our Easter hope in Christ, here is a link to a video recorded this past April. If you like what you see and would like to be notified when these video devotions are posted, click on SUBSCRIBE.

The Time is Near

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
A doctor shares a dreaded diagnosis with a patient

The doctor says your time is near.
And what that means is crystal clear.
A time to hope and not give in.
A time for faith to grown within.

A time for walking with the Lord
and trusting Him for what’s in store.
A time for standing on God’s Word
with confidence your prayers are heard.

A time for sitting with your tea
and thanking God for family.
A time for kneeling at your bed
to give the Lord the fears you dread.

A time for laying still at night
and knowing things will be alright.
A time for living every day
including ones when skies are gray.

A time for reading a good book
content to let another cook.
A time for laughing at a joke
and spending time until you’re broke.

A time for getting extra rest
and taking stock of how you’re blest.
A time for sharing your beliefs
without concern for critics’ beefs.

So, when you hear the time is near,
don’t be dismayed of start to fear.
Those words are just a way to say
you’ve got the means to seize the day!

In addition to each week’s post on this website, Greg Asimakoupoulos offers daily video devotionals on his YouTube channel. Here is a sample video. If you are interested in receiving these devotionals Monday through Friday, you can subscribe on Greg’s YouTube channel “My Rhymes and Reasons.”