I came to know Vern when he was first assigned to our parish. Our friendship grew over drinks and appetizers after monthly parish council meetings and stopping by the rectory after Mass each week and visiting with him and his mother. Of course those weekly visits after Mass included dragging Dan along with me. Sometimes Dan just sat and read his Harry Potter books, which him and Vern talk about. How Vern loved those books and recently told me all about his visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando. I remember when Vern gave Dan a box of these Harry Potter jelly beans with such gross flavors. Vern thought those were quite a hoot!
And speaking of a hoot, Vern's mother was a hoot as well. Our weekly visits to the rectory included stopping to see her as well. Vern always recalled the story of how touched she was when Dan brought a rose for Mother's Day. She was not there to receive it personally and Vern told Dan to write her a note to leave with it, which Dan begrudgingly did. Through this, though, he learned a life lesson of how that simple rose and personal note made Ida's day and she kept both until she passed.
Vern and Ed had a unique relationship as well. Although Ed was raised Catholic, he was not practicing when we met and he never returned to actively going to church. But Ed just clicked with Fr. Vern. He enjoyed our private get togethers with Vern and Vern had his clever way of getting Ed involved in our parish in small ways--whether it was the Germanfest or installing mirrors and glass at the new rectory. Ed and I stayed at Vern's condo in Maine one weekend, proof of how comfortable Ed was with Vern....and how Vern, through his unique way, brought Ed back to "church" in a different way.
My memories of Vern could go on and on so instead I'll sum it up in this way. Yes, Vern was my pastor and priest and today I realize how I took for granted that I had the privilege of seeing him, talking with him, and giving him a hug pretty much every week for the past 21 years. I also had the privilege to know him personally and enjoyed many small get togethers with close friends where we laughed late into the night. Oh there were times we were so silly...private moments to hold dear in my heart. I also had the privilege of sharing "behind the scenes" details and moments with Vern whether it was documenting the building of our new church and rectory or working with him to record his CDs.
My heart aches today and tears easily come to my eyes for I will miss having Vern in my life. I still cannot fathom going to Mass each week and not hearing his voice or seeing his smiling blue eyes. No more looks across the room during Council meetings knowing what each was thinking as some topic dragged on and on. No more camaraderie after Council meetings. Yes, the memories will live on in my heart forever. But today I'm having difficulty with the fact that another great man in my life is gone. First my father, then my brother, then Ed, then my brother-in-law Larry, and now Father Vern.
Sometimes life just sucks.... But Vern would not want me to feel this way. He showed me how friends can fill your life with laughter and love and he was an example of thoroughly enjoying and living life. And so today, and in the days that follow, I will try to remember that and do my best to live my life by the example he set.
Vern, you lived your life serving God and through the faith you taught us and exemplified, we know you are in a glorious place right now. Why you were taken from us at this time is not for us to understand in this human life of ours for it is not our will, but God's. Until we meet again, my friend. Until we meet again...
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| From one of our many trips to the Griswold Inn on a Friday night. |
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| I love these two guys... |
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