A Comet Passes By
My nephew, Ted Moninger, passed away last week. The seventeen year old honor student and class clown was a couple months shy of his senior year. Gifted is an understatement for Ted. He excelled as an artist, musician, gardener, oceanographer, student leader, mechanic, and jewelry-maker. Recently, Ted won a scholarship on a speech he wrote about the true heroes in this world are those that help the poor and hungry.
My nephew’s greatest strength was comedy. With an impish grin and a quick wit Ted’s pranks ranged from hilarious to ribald. It was no wonder hundreds of friends attended visiting hours and the funeral mass. A local pastor observed, “Kids loved him because Ted accepted everyone. His biggest challenge was accepting himself.”
As expected, many look to the heavens seeking answers to ‘why?’ I look in the same direction and see Ted as a comet that grew from a tiny spark to a blazing star as he flew by, too quickly disappearing over the horizon. His sparkling trail will brighten our universe for all time. Godspeed Ted!
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Mark,
I am so sorry; my heart aches to think about Ted. Your final paragraph is simply beautiful and a reminder to learn the lessons from the blazing star so that he will live forever.
P
Mark, this is written so beautifully. So sorry to hear of his passing – so young and talented. He will be missed. My prayers go out to Susie and family.
How is your mom doing? I wasn’t able to go to calling hours, but I know my mom and Betty Mertz went.
Uncle Mark, this is beautiful. I was browsing through your blog and came across this. I think about him everyday and this helps to read and remember him for the talented guy he was. Love you!
-Katie