“Memories Bring Back You”
Earlier this week I learned that a dear friend Todd Zaske, age 46, died on Saturday. Tears are hard to hold back. I am grateful that God created us to have memories. This morning the lyrics of the song “Memories” by Maroon 5 struck a chord in me:
“Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
…the memories bring back, memories bring back you”
Kevin Schlosser, Todd Zaske & Chris Meyer at Crazy Horse Mountain in the early 90's
Todd was part of the trio–Kevin, Chris, and Todd–that propelled me further into a career of working in the church. Memories include this trio being my first ‘Ranchhands’ at Lee Valley Ranch, the summer youth church camp I ran for fifteen years in Custer, S.D. Before that, I can still see us sitting on the floor at Christ Our Savior Church in Livonia, MI, brainstorming ways to have more than just the three of them in our High School Youth Group. Other memories include driving the boys to South Dakota from Michigan with my kids in our old van, them getting their ears pierced as a homecoming surprise for their parents, riding home with a jackalope, and those many youth group nights. How memories do bring back memories of those I love!
I remember the youth group playing The Dating Game with Todd asking questions of his three possible 'dates’. Todd chose Jenny for their 'romantic’ dinner we arranged for them in the gym. Todd and Jenny later went to prom together, eventually married, and had two daughters.
In the meantime, the youth group program took off with those three as leaders. Soon there were 30-50 in the high school Sunday school class and 100 at a lock-in. Eventually Todd and Kevin took off for college and my heart broke just as any mom’s heart breaks when their eldest leaves home. However, Chris, a year behind them fortunately, taught me how to use the Greater Detroit Freenet for e-mail to stay in touch. Notes Of Hope thus began as a devotion with a calendar of events to keep them in touch with their home congregation.
My heart goes out to Jenny and the girls. I was told someone tried to console Jenny by saying how sorry they were that she lost her husband. She is said to have responded: "I have not lost him……I know exactly where he is—with Jesus in heaven.“
A toast to Todd whom we have not lost really. He has just moved on to his new eternal home. I am looking forward to celebrating his life Friday at Christ Our Savior. So grateful for the memories. I am reminded of Psalm 77:11-13.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. Your ways, God, are holy.
Today I remember the deeds of the Lord through Todd touching the lives of so many with laughter, joy, even philosophical discussions above my head, and God’s love!