This is a very sad day for me. This man was someone who always respected me, even when I was not respectable. He wasn't always easy to work with, but he never failed to give me time and love, especially when I was down, the only top leader to overtly do that.
He was in my corner, allowed me to write for Priority!, treated me like a brother and never stopped believing in me. I was able to get a "love note" to him through Nancy last week, which made me feel good.
He was creative, a head strong Dutchman (like me), and able to put up a good fight when I didn't like what he did. I fought him for several days about going to Minnesota, but when I got there and saw how amazing it was, I was able to put my head on his shoulder at the Divisional Program Review and playfully say, "Thank you for sending us here!". He smiled, knowing our long battle was over. We spent several days on a mini vacation in northern Minnesota where we went to antique shops, art stores and many restaurants. While there I managed to get a free birthday dessert for myself every night about a week. He just shook his head with disbelief each time, but he laughed as well.
Had he remained our boss, our lives would have taken a dramatically different course, but, that's all past. Redemption and restoration mattered to him, for me, and for the world. He loved the song "Rescue The Perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grace. Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen, Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save". Then his and my favorite words: "Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving hand, wakened by kindness, CORDS THAT WERE BROKEN WILL VIBRATE ONCE MORE". Those words mattered to him.
If ever people lived out of their values, as seen in this song, it's Larry Moretz and Nancy.
Thank you for indulging me for a few minutes. I don't do funerals any more, but this one will have my whole heart. Love to Nancy and the family.
Larry Moretz will always be revered in this home.
It hurts today, however. It hurts allot.
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