This month I have nothing to say about packaging, Halloween or my daughter Piper. Still, I wish that the whole world could read these words.
Last month I let you know I'd be away to visit with three dear "brothers."
Last week I left home again; this time to say a final good-bye to one.
Though deeply sad, the few days spent in my home town of Albany, NY proved to be some of the most inspiring of my life.
It has been well over a decade since I've had day to day moments with my friend Mark Burlingame (most call him "Burls") and his spectacular family.
Without hesitation, I invested in an exorbitantly priced plain ticket (I heard a story of a woman who came all the way from Alaska) so that I could be present for the celebration of Mark's life and the communal mourning of his passing.
It was of no surprise to me that God used Mark and his family even while He was taking Burls home. Neither was I surprised by the fact that people happily waited 3-4 hours to say good bye to our friend and to give his daughter Kara, his son Jason and his wife Beth a hug and a kiss.
I was surprised (but should not have been) that his mourning family refused to leave the funeral home before seeing every single person that came to pay respect. The first visitor was seen at 4:00pm and the last at 1:00am in the morning.
I've never, in my 46 years, heard of a 9 hour visitation. In fact, the only time I remember spending 9 hours straight on something other than work or sleep is the time that Burls grabbed my ear in our home town convenience store. We ended up closing the place ;).
I walked away from that long conversation (and from​ most every time spent with Mark) feeling like I was the most blessed, gifted and special human being on the face of the earth.
The picture I include with today's blog is one I saw while I waited in line for 270 minutes. It is a picture of Burls hugging his son and giving him a big wet kiss on the ear and cheek. I've received that exact hug and kiss. Most who knew Burls received that hug and kiss. To Mark this was every day living.
Burl's faith is what moved him to lavishly dish out this day to day love to friends and strangers (I wonder if there was a stranger in his life). The Scriptures, which Mark held dear, say that if Christ did not raise then Christians are the world's greatest fools. I believe wholeheartedly, joyfully and unashamedly that Christ is risen but if, somehow, I'm in the wrong then I will gladly join the club of fools that my friend and brother Mark Burlingame spearheaded.
Oh that I may be half the man.
To Burls...