slideshow

Harry lived a long and productive life, after eighty-five years of both high-joy and low-sadness he passed-on and became “one with One.”

There in the next he searched for the light he followed through life – he who gave him purpose. Then from deep within the darkness came the glimmer of light – Harry knew it was him. The rebellious Rabi looked at him and said - “I know you’ve spent most of your life in my shadow, most often cold, with little sunshine on your face.” Harry replied, “I know, but that’s the course I chose, is it not the purpose you called me to?” The rebellious Nazarene Rabi replied, “you were content to let me shine, to give me all the glory – content to walk a step behind.” “Yes,” replied Harry.

“I was told that is what you want - all the glory.”

The Nazarene – knowing the many touched by Harry’s life replied, “Harry – you didn’t realize this but you always were my hero, and everything I was to be – you made my love fly higher than an eagle, for you were the wind beneath my wings.” Harry sighed as he continued, “let me assure you your life has not gone unnoticed, I have it all here in my heart – my love flies higher than an eagle, ‘cause you were the wind beneath my wings.”’ Harry, whose life brought others hope, faith, and love – smiled and reached out and understood fully his purpose.

History whispers, “Jesus the Nazarene did not intend to start a church, rather he set out to bring clarity to the immense value of life.” This Nazarene gave us direction, he asks of us – “see those who are hungry – feed them, those who are naked – clothe them, those who are sick – heal them.” And the many, in fact the most ask why – why should I do this? And Jesus replied, “because you say you love me – and what you do to the least of these you do to me.” How is that the many asked? The Nazarene replied – “you lift them when you are the wind beneath my wings.”

Harry was born in 1913 and became “one with One” in 1998. His life was spent as demonstrated by the actions of the Nazarene – he nurtured self and lived for others. How do I know you ask? Harry was my father, and beyond doubt he was the wind beneath many wings. My father had many words of wisdom backed by many actions of love. He reminded me often – “follow the example of the few like Jesus – live life and love others.” The Nazarene doesn’t require nor need worship – he needs us to be as he asked – “I am the one with all the glory, while you must be the one with all the strength – the beautiful face of love’s mercy and the smile of hope and faith.”

There is both mystery and majesty in words – once words are set to music there is found the whisper of grace. We are asked every day to become what we need to be and what we need to be is the wind under another’s wings. Help them lift themselves up – overcome the depths of sadness and experience, because of you – the height of joy. What greater reward can there be than this whispered into your heart and soul by the Nazarene?

“Did you ever know that you’re my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, ‘cause you are the wind beneath my wings.”’

We approach the “magic month” – what lays ahead will require that we (collectively) become the wind beneath many wings – helping them soar away from illiteracy, poverty, and anger. It’s in you – I know it as does the Nazarene. Listen to the whisper of Jesus.

“You cannot love me unless you love another – please be the wind beneath their wings.” Go – listen to that song and then live it.