October 4
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Usually, when I peruse Facebook I see silly sayings, updates on family happenings with a lot of different people, links to stories that range from political right to political left to religious to sports to just random happenings in the world. But occasionally, I see something that makes me stop and truly take notice, that disrupts my day and makes me truly reflect upon my own life. I cam across such a note the other day, one that my younger brother Brian wrote. Brian is a very gifted writer who has an ability to articulate his own personal experience, but do it in such a way that you are forced to think about your own life as well. He is the manager for the Cokesbury bookstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For those that may not know, Cokesbury is part of our United Methodist Publishing House and is the United Methodist version of Family Christian, Lifeway, etc. I received permission from him to reprint his reflection, and my prayer is that it will cause you to stop wherever you are and reflect upon your own heart. I know it certainly did that for me.
I am ashamed to say that only today did I learn his full name. For 10 years, Mike was my window guy. He was "Windowman". As simple as that. Thats what he called himself and the name I knew him by. Like clockwork, every month Windowman appeared. I'd circle my fingers in the air and say "hit it". And off he'd go. I never even had a phone number for him. He just showed up every month. We made small talk over the years but nothing very personal. I knew he had led a hard life and still continued to do so. Mike had a son who would come with him in recent years. Usually after he'd gotten in trouble in school and Mike wanted to teach him a lesson about hard work. He always had a smile and a laugh and a positive word to say. Mike was proud a few years ago when he came in one month and told me he had "got religion". "Can't live like that no more" And he meant it and think he tried to live it. Month by month here came the Windowman. And then he missed. And missed another. And then he came back. He looked haggard and worn. Heart troubles. Multiple stints, but he was back on his feet. A smile on his face but the energy was gone. The light in his eyes was a little duller than before. Things were regular and then he missed again. And again. And then he appeared. New(er) car this time. He grinned when I asked. "Old truck finally give out. Won me some money at poker at the casino and got me a new car" The old light was back and that was the Windowman I knew. And then he missed again. And again. This time a stroke. Slurred speech and his mind wasn't the same. But there was a joke and for a moment, the light shined and Windowman returned. He seemed better the last time I saw him in February. And then. No more Windowman. I waited him out. When others were saying to hire someone new, I kept saying to myself "Nah, can't cheat on the Windowman". Finally I had to give up. And today, on a lark, I googled him. windowman tulsa And there he was "Mike Ryder 1960-2010" He died in March. I would have gone to the funeral. I felt terrible that I didn't know. I felt terrible that only in death did I learn his real name. I was ashamed. Jesus says to love our neighbor. Mike was my neighbor and I didn't have the courtesy to learn his real name. Who is your neighbor? And do you know their name? I'm going to find out where Mike is buried. And I'm going to pay my respects to my neighbor.
