A Tree Grows in Lincoln

Tomorrow will mark five years since the death of my friend, boss, and mentor--Pastor Larry Meyer. The autumn after he passed away, the Lutheran Student Center at its annual Woodworking Auction (the auction was Larry's idea...he loved woodworking) auctioned off a Chinquapin Oak tree donated by Bud Dasenbrock in Larry's memory.

Sweetie and I bought that tree and planted it in our backyard. We all refer to it as "Larry's Tree," even Kiddo.

This morning I took a picture of Larry's tree. It's growing like gangbusters--sometime in the next few weeks the leaves will be fully open, and I anticipate it growing at least another foot again this summer. It's healthy, beautiful, and reminds me of the healing and reconciling mission and ministry that Larry was called to.

On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. --Rev. 22:2 (NRSV)

God bless you, my friend. I miss you like hell.

Sweetie, Carol and I after buying "Larry's Tree" in 2005

"Larry's Tree" in our backyard this morning

LH