I spent Tuesday morning holding Don Petersen’s hand as he is making his way down the birth canal of death. Soon he will be reborn to eternal life. Don was born on March 22, 1932, to Lucille and Karl Petersen.
On January 29, 1966, Don and Marilee stood arm and arm at the Lutheran Church in Freemont, Nebraska. There they vowed to face the future together: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts them.
After raising their family in Omaha and Wisconsin, Don and Marilee moved to Whidbey and they became part of the TLC family. They added their voices to our choir, they plugged in to life in this community, and lovingly served God and neighbor.
I returned to the office dressed in my clerics. I was overcome by a deep sense of thankfulness. I was thankful for the calling that God had given me and thankful for the opportunity of knowing dear saints like Don.
The phone rang. The folks at Helping Hand had somehow locked themselves out of the office which we provide for them in our old building. I grabbed my keys and off I went.
One door and then two, and they were in. The Helping Hand volunteer said, “Thank you. Now you are the janitor here, right?” I glanced down at my clerical collar. “Yes, I am. What do you need?” I asked. “We need someone to take out the garbage.” “Well then,” I replied, “I am your man.”
Garbage in hand, I headed back toward my office with a profound sense of thankfulness. So thank you, people of TLC, for allowing me to minister with you and among you for the past 26 years.
Mine is the church where everybody’s welcome! Mine is the church where we all hold the hands of the dying as well as take out the garbage.
My love to you!
Pastor Jim
P.S. Don Petersen died this morning, September 23, at 9:30 am.
