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Honor Walk

November 30, 20244 min read

The Story of a Gentle Soul

I first met Ken, when I transferred into the store where he was working.  Since we shared a like-faith, we naturally drifted towards each other.

When Ken was around, conversation was never forced and we enjoyed a myriad of topics.  Through those chats, I learned Ken was single and in his 40’s.

More than a year into our relationship, Ken shared that he had met a young woman.  As their relationship grew, he began to consider marriage, so we talked about the fact that the woman he was dating had a daughter.  Ken knew that I married a woman with a young daughter many years before and he was curious what it was like having a daughter.

 

Something Richer and Deeper

It did not take long before Ken proposed to his girlfriend.  The joy shone through his face as he shared that she had accepted his proposal.  That was more than 9 years ago.

When Ken and his wife, Amy, had a child together, I rejoiced with him.  It was always a treat when he brought their kids in to shop.  Since our stories were so similar, it made our relationship connect on another level.

After a few years, Ken cut back at work to become a chaplain.  When his study and training was complete, Ken left our company to pursue his desire to be a chaplain.

Perhaps a year later, Ken returned to the store where I had met him.  We never discussed why he returned, but it didn’t matter because Ken was back.  He was the same old friend but I could tell there was something richer and deeper about him.

 

A Deep Blow

The last year of our relationship, we did not see each other much because of an unexpected health issue of mine.  Out of the blue, I was diagnosed with a thickened heart wall which kept me out of work for the last year of Ken’s life.  I did see him several times when I went into the store to shop.  And Ken always reached out to me to see how he could pray for me and my health.

I was grateful for Ken’s prayers and concern because I knew he understood my problem.  He too, had a heart problem.  This was another way we were connected.

So, it came as a surprise when I heard Ken was in the hospital with a brain bleed.  The news that he was not expected to survive was a deep blow.

 

His Final Service

Friends at work kept me apprised of Ken’s condition.  On a Friday evening, I was informed that Ken would be donating several of his organs before his passing.  An honor walk was set for Saturday morning at 11 am.

If you do not know what an honor walk is, it is a time for family, friends, and hospital staff to gather and honor the dying patient who is donating their organs.  Everyone lines the hallway that leads to the operating room where the patient is taken to harvest their organs that will help other transplant patients.

I arrived more than an hour early for Ken’s honor walk.  In that time, I learned how Amy had prayed for the Lord to bring someone into her life and within two months she met Ken.  I was also able to see Ken one last time.  Seeing him hooked up to life support and unresponsive brought home the finality of my time with Ken, here on earth.

When it came time to take Ken to the operating room where he would fulfil his final service in this life, I saw just how many people Ken had touched.  The hall was packed to the very end.

 

I Will Treasure His Memory

I know that I will see Ken again on that day when I enter heaven, but for now I can only marvel at the knowledge that he is in heaven with the God we both love and serve and that he has seen Jesus Christ.  For Ken, all the bible stories have been fulfilled.  And the years of looking through a mirror dimly have been removed.  Now he sees Jesus Christ face to face.  Now he knows just as he has been known.

I confess that during our time here on earth, I took Ken for granted.  He was never demanding or angry.  Ken was always kind, gentle and ready with a joke.  He never pushed or inserted himself inappropriately into another person’s conversation.  As a result, Ken became a fixture that was always there and you always expected to be there.  I sincerely doubt that I am the only one who took Ken for granted, but that does not ease my regret.

Ken was a gentle soul, a breeze that glided through my life at different times over the last 10+ years.  I am a better person for knowing Ken and I will treasure his memory until the day I see him face to face in the kingdom of our Father.

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Jeff Silvius

Jeff lives in the Pacific Northwest. He enjoys fishing and is currently working on rebuilding a 16' fishing boat. He wants to remind you who God is in you and that God is active in your life. He also wants you to know that your journey doesn't end here.

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