A LIFE SAVER

I first met Gerri almost 20 years ago; she was a student in a training class I led. Our jobs in this large agency were very different – she was in administration, dealing with finance; I was in direct service. But, of course, our jobs were both efforts toward the same goal: providing support to children and families in our Fairfax community.

Gerri took a liking to me. Always, she remembered my name, called me from afar when she saw me. Over the years, she was one of the people who helped me get my job done. She simply delighted in serving.

Gerri monitored many funds, among them transportation. I had to sign off whenever we had to transport our clients. Gerri would send me the logs; I would lose them on my desk. Gerri would gently remind me that I had once again missed a deadline, and eventually I would come through for her. She STILL gave me a hug the next time we saw one another. Gerri gave me grace in spite of missed deadlines.

As with all agencies, there were reorganizations and changes. Gerri weathered them and continued to be Gerri. However, there came a time in January when Gerri knew she was no longer a match with the work. She announced her retirement. The retirement gathering was packed with people: workers new to the agency; people who had already retired; older workers; younger workers; directors of agencies; receptionists. They were drawn to Gerri because of how she’d known them: for themselves.

In the tributes, I learned more about Gerri. But none was a surprise. One worker gave her a pack of Lifesavers — because Gerri had been a life saver. Always without fanfare. Always with a generous heart. On that Friday afternoon, there was a sacred honoring going on. Gerri had honored us. We, in small measure, were honoring her.

Gerri called us by name; forgave us our goofs; served us tirelessly; laughed with us; knew us. In so doing, she allowed us to get up and go out, to walk through our days. The way I figure it is that God gives us people on earth who model a bit of Him to us. Very cool.

— Marilyn Dukes Bursch

Courtesy of The Church of the Good Shepherd United Methodist