In Memoriam
A short snippet of my words for Steven’s Memorial Service. I will miss my friend.
A Kedging Life
Steven Johns-Boehme. Our phone conversations often began like this. “Rabbi, what’s happening?” His response, “Hey punk what’s happening with you? Read a book lately?” Steven, he was something of a renaissance man, knowledgable about a great diversity of things, and skilled in many areas. You didn’t have to know Steven long to realize that he didn’t do anything “half way.” No, he studied, practiced, and perfected though I don’t think he is considered himself a perfectionists. He could present as “OCD” depending on the project that caught his attention. Don’t do anything halfway. It is the foundation that his parents gave him: a father’s print shop precision and mother’s Jill-of-all-trades.
Steven would indulge us the feelings of grief today, and in the days ahead, but he would prefer the stories and laughter about the time we spent with him. Gratia reminded me that Steven would not want any of us to be anxious about today. When we listen to the liturgy of this service that Steven wrote, and allow the music and lyrics to seep into us, we hear the melody of his faith, and the authenticity of a person comfortable with himself. It is best summed up in the theme of Alizah’s college essay, “It’s not about academics. It’s how you live your life and who you impact.”
Steven was one that preached good news, and sometimes he even used words.
Click here to download the entire homily.