Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man I didn’t really know. I went because I love many who love him.

As I arrived I found the church overflowing. I found a seat out in the entry way and watched the service on the screen. As I listened to the service I realized the great loss I had gained by having never known him. What a wonderful father, a fabulous man and a mighty Christian he was! After the service I stood out of the way and watched as all the mourners made there way out the door. So many people I forgot I knew, friends I forgot I had rushed past with the crowd. I grabbed glimpses of loved ones I hadn’t seen in over a decade.

After the church emptied and the last car of the processional left I gathered the children from the nursery and drove towards my grandmother’s house. They were to stay with her while I went to the graveside service. After dropping them off I headed for the cemetery and found myself at the end of a long line of cars. I had quite a ways to walk so I jumped out and started the 1/4 to 1/2 mile walk towards the people. Half way there I realized I hadn’t brought my coat, I turned and looked at my van which seemed much farther away then it probably was, then I looked at the near broken heel of my shoes and decided to forget the coat and head for the service. Once I made it to the back of the crowd I realized I was still much to far away to hear or see anything that was going on. The cold wind started to take its toll so I drew closer to the unknown backs in front of me. As I took a few steps up the lady in front of me turned, it was Mrs. Peterson she saw me shivering and offered a hug and half her black fur coat. I cuddled in to the grandmother I had known for years and forgotten all about. As we stood there straining to hear the minister we waited mostly in silence. There were long breaks in the service where we wondered what was going on up front. While my left side was warmed by a friend the right half of me was freezing, until the woman in front of us turned and there was long time friend, Melinda Allen, She saw me and offered half of her coat as well. So there I stood for the rest of the service, sandwiched between to wonderful friends, family I forgot I had. Afterwards I was passed from friend to friend who all offered to huddle up and protect me from the cold. I talked with so many loved ones, so very many people from my youth. People who in past seasons played such a part in my life.

Days turn into years and we forget those that fade so slowly away. On the other hand, years turn into seconds when we lose someone so unexpectedly. Verlon Groen will be so deeply missed by those who knew him and those who who never did.

Yesterday, I realized the treasure that lay in a man I didn’t know and I was reminded of the treasures I had forgotten in those I once knew. My Loss, My Gain.