Welcome: This service and prayer is a time to remember Kevin Smith, and also a time for us to gather our own strength to carry on life in family and community with only a memory of him. The prayers we say are an expression of common desire, really for ourselves, and in the end, the answer to any prayer lies within each one of us. We pray and begin the answer to our prayers with this celebration today.
Reading: Luke 13:6-9
He told this parable: A man had a fig tree planted in his garden, and he came looking for fruit on it, but found none. He said to the main who looked after the garden, “Look here, for three years I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none….Cut it down: Why should it be taking up ground?”
“Sir”, the man replied “Leave it one more year and give me time to dig around it and manure it; it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down“.
Reflections from Phil:
This little story from the parables of Jesus is common sense. Gardens and lawns and trees need care and attention to thrive. We neighbors of Kevin have known him as a caring individual who would do anything to help us out. He mowed lawns on Harvey Mountain, along route 22. He cared for the trees and the shrubs. He fixed faucets, painted houses, built ramps and decks. He will be remembered as the gardener in this story. He was a man of his word who could be counted on to do the things needed to be done.
When he was about 17, he left his home in Canada, and joined the United States Navy. He was a man on the move. About a week after he had enlisted, it was discovered that he was not a US citizen. Within two weeks, he became a citizen. The 61st anniversary of that citizenship was three days before he died. He studied electronics engineering through the navy, and eventually received an honorable discharge and a letter of thanks from President Truman.
He fathered seven children in his first marriage. They will attest that they learned a lot from him. Swimming was important for the children to learn, and he made sure that they had that ability. At least two of the children remember going out into deep water on his back, and being slowly released into the water to take the first strokes. He made sure that they returned safely to shore. His son Michael remembers his as a cool individual, unique in many ways, and as a man who was always teaching. Michael learned much from his dad.
There came a time in the marriage when it was not working out. He became a man on the move again, and if we can briefly return to the reading from Luke: the master gave him a second chance. He met Jean, and embraced her and her five children. He had another opportunity at fatherhood, and husbandship.
Eventually, Kevin and Jean settled in Austerlitz… more of the man on the move. Here, he distinguished himself as a person of many talents, but especially in the last two years, he became a caregiver to Jean. Whatever needed to be done to get her through her trials, he was there to do it. It was as close to total dedication as possible. Many of us believe that he emptied himself out for her; he gave all that he had, and this is why we are here today. To celebrate the life of Kevin, the superintendent of grounds in Austerlitz, and the man who took care of the woman he loved. We say farewell to him as he enters into rest with Jean in the beautiful mountains which were his refuge.
We are grief-stricken. We enjoyed him. We offer his family our support and concern today. We look forward to a brighter day tomorrow if we but take the time to absorb the energy that was Kevin’s and let it nourish us.
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