What can somebody say in the face of sudden tragedy? It’s like having the feeling that everything should be said, but yet nothing is sufficient. Try all you want, you can’t summate the feeling of shock, distress, or utter disbelief.

 

Derek Sather was somebody that everybody should have known and known better. Under his gruff and playful exterior was a deep man. It may be easy to think he was just an awesome guy who loved his friends well and loved good times, but he hardly stumbled through life haphazardly or thoughtlessly. Those that he was near felt the distinct care that came from an unselfish heart. Being friends with Derek brought a sense of security, for you knew that once you were in his heart that he was watching out for you. He cared for those that he was close to and I for one knew that if anything ever went awry for me, he was one of those people I could call. That says a lot about his heart and his hospitable life. And of course, you could always count on having a good laugh with him, taking in Vitamin R and watching episodes of the Trailer Park Boys, going fishing or enjoying his delicious seafood culinary creations.

 

Derek was a hard working man that was taken from this world, not by crime or by a malicious act. He didn’t come face to face with evil in his end, but rather a seeming accident as he worked in Skagway, AK for Hunz and Hunz. Everybody knows it’s a possibility, that fate can take its toll and remove something precious from our midst. Yet we live our lives the best we can and try not to concern ourselves with what could happen. In that sense, Derek truly lived since he lived life not afraid of what could happen but lived in what was happening.

 

From the context of my faith, I pray for mercy and grace for Derek and I believe that God has cared for him well. Derek was here for a purpose and that purpose was finished, for not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the care of the Father.

 

You will be dearly missed, but in that... The spirit of your life calls me to not relish in the anguish of your departure, but to turn to God and thank Him that I was able to be your friend, that I could experience your care, that I had a chance to care for you. I will continue to...

 

[I had a prayer here, but I removed it because it had some theological issues which I’m currently unsure about and wrestling with.]