In Memory of..

So...yesterday was probably one of the saddest days in my life.
I'd definitely put it up there with one of the worst days of school, at least.

We had the memorial service for Roger Thomassen, my piano teacher, and friend.
It was very sad, but in the midst of the sadness the family was still worshiping God.
It began with the song, "Blessed Assurance" which is fitting because Roger always loved the hymns!
There were so many of his music students involved that it just warmed my heart.
I wish I could have been up there but then again I probably couldn't have handled it.

Brother Thomassen was always a man of God.
He never stopped working.
From watering the flowers around campus, to writing fabulous blogs about the poetry and music, to running 5K's, teaching classes, giving lessons, he was always busy doing something. Maybe his busyness just caught up with him? If that's the case, that's how I'd like to go out too....with a bang for Jesus.

He was always faithful to God, I just know it. You can tell when someone just radiates holiness. He was one of those. Faithful to the end, never giving up, always striving to do great things for God and never ceased.

The service was just overall great. Very sad, but very great. It gave me the closure I needed because I couldn't make it to the actual funeral (celebration of life) service. I had an eye exam that day, but one of my friends called me and told me how amazing it was. Definitely a celebration of a noble life. She said that one of my music professors read my Facebook post because it captured the essence of who Roger truly was. I felt such peace and comfort in my heart that day. I was really bummed that I couldn't be there, but I know that he knows I was there in spirit...especially since they picked my Facebook post. MINE! Numerous people were writing their condolences, memories, feelings....but they picked mine. I felt so special, honored, and I'm thankful that I felt led to write it that day. Yesterday they read my Facebook post again, but I was there to hear it! And I broke down.

Brother Thomassen,

I know you're reading this now...from a better perspective. If you're reading this I just really want to say that I'm sorry for dropping piano lessons. We could have had another semester together. Another semester I missed out on learning from your wisdom and hearing all of your amazing stories...but it's ok. I will pick piano back up again one day, I promise. And every time I play a song I will remember you.

For some reason I think you're still up in your office....just hiding out. Grading papers....composing a song...
I will miss just being able to go up there and have a chat with you. At this point I find myself trying to rack my brain and have all of our moments and memories flood back..

I remember one time in the cafe you told me that you had read my blog, and you enjoyed it.  You told me to keep writing. I always loved reading your blogs too. If only you could read this one, but I know you probably are.

I won't have anyone to talk to about you know who...  You gave him piano lessons as a kid, he used to go to CBC, and now he isn't serving God.  I know your heart grieved when I told you that as much as mine still does.

Man...this is hard. I'm just gonna miss everything about you, but I know everything is better in heaven and we will see each other again one day.  They probably have better pianos, bigger sheet music, better blogs interfaces, and way more flowers for you to water.

I wish I could be where you were, but my job here isn't done.
But when it is, we shall meet again.

Thanks for being my friend.
I learned a lot from you in such a short amount of time.

My Facebook post:

"I'm so sad to mourn the loss of Roger Thomassen. He was the first professor I met when I was pulling into CBC my first day to move into the dorms. He helped unload my stuff and we immediately started talking about music. I'll never forget the piano lessons I had with him for a year. He always encouraged me to see potential in myself that I didn't realize I had. My favorite lesson was when he got e

xcited that I learned inversions faster than most of his other students. He taught me to read sheet music with imagination and made practicing more fun than work. I loved that he would always high-five me after each lesson. He was definitely one of the coolest, funnest, wisest, and most encouraging professors I've ever had. Part of my love for music was because of his inspiration. You will be missed." - August 13, 2012.

Oh, and if this memorial service wasn't difficult enough, later in the day I found out that it was my preaching professor's last day.. 

He was the reason I changed my minor to preaching. He had such a powerful way of teaching and in one semester I loved it enough to add it as my minor. I remember talking to him after class about female preachers.  He told me to take every opportunity I get to preach.  Even if it's just being up on stage, youth, anything.

However the part that touched me the most was that he said he had chosen ministry over his wife and family before....and he's had to struggle through that.  He's stubborn....and didn't want to leave CBC.  He wanted to be here forever and he said the moment he graduated he knew he wanted to come back.  He wanted to stay with us until the end...but the consolidation has changed that.  

His wife had an interview in NY and they both went.  They people at the school started talking to him too! He was adamant about turning them down because CBC was where he wanted to be.  He said his wife had been gone for a week and a half and his daughter was here with him.  At first I thought they were splitting up or something, but then he said his last day was today. 

 

He said he made the absolute wrong decision in picking ministry over his family. He said family ALWAYS comes before ministry. He apologized for not making this decision sooner...it'd almost be better if he didn't come back this August...but I'm glad he did so everyone could say goodbye. Then, he asked if we had any questions and proceeded on with class. A pretty terrible transition but I guess there's no way it could have been any smoother. We prayed with him after class. I'm excited about what his future holds! Starting a Bible Institute will be amazing.

Anyway, I still feel the heaviness from yesterday. I think this last year at CBC is going to be rough, yet exciting. I love all of my classes, but the atmosphere is so different. Different in a good way, yet bittersweet way because I know this is the end. 

The End.