I have been so blessed to have amazing mentors in my life. Tonight I got to celebrate with one of them, Dr. Keith Olson, who is retiring from 19 years of service at Bethel Seminary. A night filled with reminiscing at Bethel tonight, along with staff, faculty and alumni. It was a magical, touching evening of recalling my student days at Bethel, 12 years back. And so even as I was saying goodbye to Keith tonight, he blessed me yet again. I realized that for the first time of living in San Diego, I have major history in this city. I feel so deeply, about a period of my life in San Diego, that happened from 2001 – 2004. I have history in San Diego! That gives me a sense of belonging that I haven’t felt before. But back to Keith, tonight was about him. Here is a tribute to him:
A giant in my life
Your presence is that of a giant
A tall, friendly, gentle giant
A giant in my life
Changing my course in an unequivocal way
Always there at Bethel
Available, present, caring and protecting
Guiding and leading as needed
Tender and sweet in nature
Coffee meetings in various Starbucks
Intellectual conversations and questions answered
All the while standing in as an attachment figure
Serving a fatherly role without even knowing it
I could not be who I am, if it wasn’t for you
Your love, your influence, your training
And I will be forever grateful for the person you are
The teacher, the mentor and friend
You will always be a giant in my life
I will always be indebted to you
Tears in my eyes as I write this now
Missing you will become a part of life
You’ve sown so much, given of yourself
Changed so many lives, many more than my own
Enjoy your retirement and investing in your little ones
I’m so grateful to have had such a giant in my life