See, I told you I'd do better this year. I'm trying.
Today I read the obituary page of the newspaper where I work and was shocked to see the face and name of one of my parish deacons. I had known, of course, that he's been ill for many years, but still. He was one of the best, a warm and goodhearted man. He was, in fact, my favorite of all the deacons I've ever known. There was just something about him that was so approachable, so sincere.
He presided at my father's memorial service in January 2005 (my father lived to be 95). And it turns out he died on what would have been my father's 99th birthday!
Carl Beers, we'll miss you!