In Honor of Kyoko Sakaguchi

I just returned from attending Kyoko Sakaguchi's funeral. For those of you who don't know her, she was a member of Venice church since its founding days, and someone who helped to raise me.

Dad asked me to give a eulogy. I stubbornly refused and volunteered for any other duty, one not so public. Aimee did it instead, and what an amazing job she did. It was touching, personal, well-spoken, and focused on Christ. I knew I wouldn't have been able to hold it together. But I do have many fond memories of her. If I were to speak this is what I would have said:

I can remember playing in her house. I can still see her changing Tom's bandages everyday when he was sick. I remember eating lunch together and afterwards we would be sent to play so she could watch her favorite tv show 'Days of our Lives". I remember her smell and her gentle spirit. I remember our excitement when Tom came home and he would allow us to ride on the lift on the back of his truck, with Kyoko watching from the front door. I remember the chuckle she always had after every sentence. I remember her giving our family a wake-up call when we had accidently slept in for sunrise service. I remember the cover she had on the couch and "Tom's chair" that I loved because it swiveled and rocked.

But most of all, when I think of Kyoko, I see a life lived in dedication and faithful service to Christ. She was humble and selfless. Thinking back I can't remember her ever complaining about anything. She was dedicated to my father and was always supportive of his leadership in the church. I appreciate her for that. As I write this today I wish I was more eloquent and better able to express how much she meant to me. But this is all I have; my love and a peace within knowing she is in heaven, rejoicing with Christ, free of pain, and reunited with Tom.

May her legacy of love to our Father carry on, and may her witness bring those who knew her to Christ.

I love you Kyoko.

Hello Oprah.

In order to know the Truth, believe in the Truth, and stand up for the Truth, you have to know what isn't the Truth.