Requiem for a Leader

Our family said goodbye to a wonderful brother, friend and uncle this week. In his thirty-three years, this young man demonstrated his passion for life by aiming for the sky in all that he did. He was an amazingly intelligent, brave, athletic and loving man. We will all miss him greatly. Ponygirl's poem illustrates how, as long as there is love, we all live on long after our mortal life is over. He led his soccer team in high school. He led young adults to Jesus Christ through Young Life. He led men in service to his country through the Navy. He was also a supreme example of how a man should love his family, his country and his God.

(A poem written by an 8-year old niece for her beloved uncle)

He Stands Beside Me

He had a hard time but now it's all over.

I felt he was perfect and he took some wrong roads in life.

But he is home now in heaven and I know now.

He stands beside me even though he's not here right now.

He's always in my heart but he still stands beside me.

He was very intelligent especially in the Navy.

He's always with me even when I'm lonely.

He's still with me and everyone in this big old family.

He stands beside me even though he's not here right now.

He's always in my heart but he still stands beside me.

I know he's at home now.

Even though it's up in the sky.

He's still with me.

He stands beside me even though he's not here right now...

Yeah, he still stands beside me.

The above was written by Ponygirl in the LAX airport as our family waited to board our Qantas flight for the last leg of our journey back to Sydney. As she bent over her journal, we could all tell that she was doing something special. She says she has a tune in her head, so she will talk to her music teacher about putting it to music.

We are all safely back in Sydney. We will move forward and enjoy our time here. We were encouraged to move here by the young man spoken about above. This was his favorite port when he served in the Navy. If there was one place he could live outside of the US, he said, Sydney would be it. Saturday we all head off to Tasmania for a short respite. Surferdude will stay on for an 8-day trek with the Australian Scouts. We will keep our brother, friend and uncle in our hearts as we explore and grow on this journey together.

Thanks for all you did for so many. We love you.