Matthew Arnold‘s poem The Future came to mind this week in light of the eulogy for local artist and gardener Lynn Niskanen. Click HERE for the obituary. Scroll down for her brother-in-law’s poem honoring Lynn’s life.
The Future [excerpt]
But what was before us we know not,
And we know not what shall succeed.
Haply, the river of Time—
As it grows, as the towns on its marge
Fling their wavering lights
On a wider, statelier stream—
May acquire, if not the calm
Of its early mountainous shore,
Yet a solemn peace of its own.
And the width of the waters, the hush
Of the grey expanse where he floats,
Freshening its current and spotted with foam
As it draws to the Ocean, may strike
Peace to the soul of the man on its breast—
As the pale waste widens around him,
As the banks fade dimmer away,
As the stars come out, and the night-wind
Brings up the stream
Murmurs and scents of the infinite sea.
In your abandoned garden
Lynn, in your abandoned garden
your presence - like sunlight - can still be felt.
At your invitation
the butterflies, hummingbirds and cardinals
your absence still unknown to them,
keep returning.
In your abandoned garden
the purple iris - by your own hand planted,
sleeps tonight beneath her snowy cover,
and awaits the divine kiss of rain.
-- Will Niskanen, brother-in-law. Excerpt from Will's Eulogy for Lynn Niskanen, Feb. 18, 2019, at Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church Chaska, MN
Although Lynn was “a practitioner and bringer of light,” as Will described her, she did not draw to attention to herself. The pews and church parking lot overflowed their banks.
Gordon C. Stewart, Chaska, MN, Feb. 21, 2019.
Views from the Edge 
Lynn was very supportive, as a SOTH church Session member 2 years ago, of our desire to be a Presbytery EarthCare congregation. Her support will be greatly missed.
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Lynn was very supportive, as a SOTH church Session member 2 years ago, of our desire to be a Presbytery EarthCare congregation. Her support will be greatly missed.
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Gary, she served two terms on session while I was at SOTH. Was on the pastor nominating committee that called me there. Always supportive of what the best that was in us. She hosted the fellowship time fir every one of the Tuesday Dialogues, not because it was required, but because she cared and wanted it to be done well, and she enjoyed doing it.
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I am so sorry for your loss Gordon.
Nancy
❤
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Nancy, As was the case with most members of Shepherd of the Hill, I had not stayed in close touch with Lynn or the other Niskanens. She had battled breast cancer even before I came to know her in 2005. She did battle quietly and maintained a positive attitude, doing watercolors of flowers, gardens, and old barns, turning rusted, abandoned cars and trucks into things of beauty.
Her death was expected. She died in the comfort of home with Sam, a wonderfully caring and attentive husband.
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