CHRISTMAS 2008
“Family is the best!” was how John summed it up a few days before he died. The desire to get home to family carried us from the Himalayas through hospitals in Kathmandu, New Delhi, and Washington, DC. The rhythms of family life grounded us during John’s last ten days at home. The comfort and strength of family, leavened by the irrepressible energy of grandchildren, has softened the lonely ache of grief as we navigate life without John. This year’s Christmas photo taken at Lucas’s baptism, bracketed by our first family Christmas photo in 1980 and a picture of John taken just before our trip to Nepal, gives a glimpse of the memories we carry as we grieve, grow, and go forward. (To view this photo, click on "photos" above.)
Jessica, in her final year of her Masters in Social Work, is balancing five courses with a 20 hour a week internship at College Park Youth and Family Services with a specialty in play therapy, while caring for Antonio and Sofia. Scott, newly trained as a behavior detection officer for TSA, continues to provide a warm welcome to friends passing through the security labyrinth at Dulles Airport. Antonio, now in fifth grade and an expert on the recent election, made his baseball all-star team and had an undefeated soccer season. Sofia, edging up to two, is exploding into language and enchanted by birds, the moon, and our Christmas tree. Scott’s daughters Nicole, a high school senior, and Larissa, in seventh grade, join us every other weekend. Peter and Sara, who live nearby, ushered Lucas Sebastian into the world early Easter morning; our joy at his birth mingled with sorrow that John was not there to hold his newest grandchild. Now almost nine months old, Lucas smiles with his whole body and is ready to MOVE! Peter continues as assistant manager at the State Department Credit Union. Sara, completing her last two courses, graduated from the University of Maryland in sociology just before Christmas.
Besides the legacy of family, John left behind a treasure trove of writing which I am mining as a way to stay connected, hear his voice, and understand him better. As I cobble together his words with my own reflections a memoir of his life and our relationship is beginning to emerge. As much as my life has changed, much remains the same. My heart grows full watching my children as parents, caring for my grandchildren, coaching Antonio’s soccer team, taking long walks in Rock Creek Park, writing and painting my way through my grief, tending my garden, spending time with family and friends. I am just back from my second trip to Colombia this year – this time for a consultancy on “The Role of Colombian Protestant Churches in Peace Processes.”
Jessica and Peter join me in thanking you for your love and support through John’s illness and death. We are grateful for the ties that bind us and close with these words by Fred Pratt Green: “For the wonders that astound us. For the truths that still confound us. Most of all that love has found us. Thanks be to God.”
Love, Barbara
Barbara Gerlach, - 1302 Geranium St. NW, Washington, DC, 20012- New email: gerlachmack@comcast.net
