Paying Our Respects

On Saturday we opted to pay our respects to Terry Harper, SPJ’s executive director, who succumbed to brain cancer after a heart wrenching, yet inspirational two-year fight.

His struggle with cancer is touchingly chronicled on his blog Thumping My Melon. The blog captures Terry perfectly. I can think of no other time I’ve read about the emotional pain that comes when a young father is stricken by cancer, yet laughed so openly because of his wit and positive outlook.

Terry capped his blog with a final post he had the foresight to write back in October. Posted after his death last week, it’s a beautiful piece, well worth reading even if you know nothing about the man.

After reading it and the blog you will not be surprised at his choice of funeral. Setting: idyllic, isolated pond in the middle of a wooded property. Them: Viking.

Really, Viking.

Because it’s illegal in Indiana to burn a body, the pyre was rather small, but no less meaningful.

After a short service by his fraternity’s chaplain, his boys were rowed out to the middle of the pond and the pyre set on fire. Bagpipes played “Amazing Grace” until the flames burned through the vessel and it sank.

Even in death, Terry was full of surprises.

I didn’t go too crazy with my camera, but here are a few pix:

http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

It was a touching service. And, of course, it’s impossible not to be devastated at seeing the pain in these boys’ faces. It was heartening to see so many people at the remembrance, extended family and friends that will help watch over Terry’s family.

There was a party scheduled for the following Sunday night. Party goers were told to expect Terry’s favorites: finger food, karaoke and Maker’s Mark.