Grief

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"... From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -- Luke 12:48

Alex lived a life very much in accordance to the Savior’s call for stewardship of our gifts and talents. Many who have had the honor of knowing him will bear witness to the many talents he was blessed with - from healing the body and soul to performing musical items to carrying out leadership roles. But he never buried his talent in the ground, instead he generously sowed it to all of us that were nearby.

Those of us who have received from his generosity will no doubt remember the doctor who not only treated the body but also the spirit and the soul. How many of us have had his reassuring arm around us giving encouragement, consolation and attending to our bereavement? No doubt many. Everywhere that Alex went, he touched others - and in the
process healed many. Yet, like the great servant, he was not one to take credit for himself, saying once, " .. only God heals, we are just His instruments".

Alex always had a zest for life. Indeed, such was his enthusiasm that those around him would be infused by the energy that radiated from him. Those of us who have worked with him before will know how much he brought to the team - it was as if an additional power source had been plugged in, allowing all of us to draw from it.

He was a leader. However, unlike most leaders who would nitpick and impose their vision onto their subordinates Alex was one to allow you to contribute in a way that was uniquely you. In doing so, you would always want to give him your best. Such was the way in which he inspired us all.

While I have not known Alex for as long as some have, I remember him as being always busy yet having the time for others. Someone once told me that one of the greatest gifts a person can give another is his time. And Alex gave a lot of it to all of us. In doing so, he became like the woman who, while having little, gave all she had. This has never been so apparent.

To many of us, he was a role model, leader, big brother and friend. This is probably why his leaving us is so painful. Aren't we all like the trees that were planted by the waterside - drawing from his seemingly endless supply of energy, time and love?

Yes, Alex has gone home. But all of us who have had the privilege of basking in his generosity have a responsibility to make good his investment in all of us. Then perhaps, when it is our own homecoming, we will be able to say to him, "I have not hidden the talent that you gave to me, but have shared it with others."

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