I’ve been asked today to speak for a few moments on behalf of Nate’s fraternity brothers and friends.
I’d like to start with reading a letter—a letter Sarah Reynolds, Nate’s girlfriend, wrote to Nate and asked me to read today.
Dear Nathan,We are all thankful for the memories we shared. For his tender and caring nature. For the smile that that spread from his face to everyone else.
Every once in awhile, we’re lucky enough to meet someone who makes life so much more incredible; someone who is a perfect match and understands you when no one else does. Someone who drops everything to be with you when everyone else is too busy. Someone who is so similar to you, you don’t have to say anything and you know what they’re thinking.I was lucky to find that person—thank you for making life seem so much more incredible. Thank you for laughing with me, drying my tears, finding solutions to all my problems, and for somehow always making me smile. Even though we had so many plans we never got to do, I am so thankful for the memories we shared. I will cherish the past three months forever.
I love you. –Sarah
Knowing Nate was a special experience. And if you don’t believe me, you must never had the privilege of looking into those sparkling eyes of his—always alive—always dancing….or that enormous, infectious smile.
If you haven’t already, please pick up a copy of The Torch, our student newspaper. On the cover, you will see a picture of Nate which captures him in the way I will always remember him. There he sits with a guitar in hand, making the music that he loved so dear—and with that smile, always beaming across his face.
I’ve been asked too many times this week to describe ‘what Nate was like’. Almost every time, the best response I could come up with was the same: Well…he was…..Nate.
To the Osterbur family—I know that you know the character and nature of your son/brother/cousin/nephew, far better than any of us could hope to have discovered. But also know that here, in this community, he was known as honorable. Hard-working. Congenial. Faithful. Full of integrity. A high minded man. A gentleman. Full of love, energy and enthusiasm. He was a special person that touched the lives of many, often without saying a word.
We know that tough times are ahead. Pastor Osterbur spoke yesterday about letting the angry questions fly — the “why Nate… why now?”. He told us to get them out.
And in time, we will. And when we do, we will have this community to support us. And to help us.
But, we must also turn to God when we can no longer stand strong on our own. When we can no longer be brave. When we can no longer hold it in. We know that enduring this period requires more than this community can do alone. It requires the grace and mercy and love of our God. And during these times, we put our trust in Him.
During this past Sunday evening prayer, with our thoughts of Nate, we stood strong as a community and recited my favorite part of the worship, as we do every week:
Pastor Cunningham proclaimed, “A Light shines in the darkness” and the community responded strongly and fervently with “—and the darkness cannot overcome it.”
Though we now shiver in that darkness, we know there is light. We know there is hope. We will not ignore or shy from it. We will embrace it. And cling to it. And heal because of it.
Blessed be the memory of Nathan Royal Osterbur. And surely blessed are we for having had the honor and privilege to have known him.