There is a saying that goes,
If you think you’re indispensable,
Try putting your hand in a bucket of water.
Then take it out again,
And see how big a hole you leave.

A good saying.
Meant to keep us from getting too proud.
Meant to teach a little humility.
Meant to show that life goes on.

I used to think the saying was true
And, like all sayings
There is truth in it but,
There’s a hole in the water today.

When cars line the road, parked
As far as the eye can see,
When hundreds of people on the sidewalk and the path
Leading to the church
File slowly in to say “I’m sorry, we’ll miss him”,
There’s a hole in the water today.

Old friends from far away.
Family and boyhood buddies and team mates.
And clients and a bunch of kids in red sports jerseys.
All come to remember, weep, laugh and pray.
There’s a hole in the water today.

A leader, father, lover husband and friend.
Mentor, idea man, servant of Christ,
Son.
There’s a hole in the water today.

In the bucket the water quivers around the void
Left by this hand too soon withdrawn from life
In our opinion.
But in another place God hears a voice saying
“Hey, I’ve got an idea….”

For a while we will ponder that impossible empty space
In the bucket
Until, slowly, new hands enter tomorrow or sometime but,
There’s a hole in the water today.


In memory of Fred Fritchen III
August 30, 2000