It was just one word, but that one word set off a flurry of emotion.

What was the word you ask? It was the word “Guru”. I imagine the fact that “Guru” stirs up something deep inside my soul only adds to the proof of my clinical “uniqueness”, but let me explain.

The past few weeks I have been working feverously on revamping the “Christmas Celebration” page at Graceland. Prior to the revamp it was a disturbing mishmash of holiday tinsel and style that pretty much had the same esthetic as dog yak deposited on the floor after the dog has eaten a goodly portion of the family Christmas tree. Now it is a finished, clean, uniform, stylish, quick loading, happy holidaying type page, fitting of its content.

In the midst of that revamp, one of the major contributors to the “celebrations”, Madelaine Beck, commented on the revamp of her articles with the word “Guru” referring to moi.

It has been months since I heard that word. In fact, I haven’t heard it since my good friend and mentor Jerry Meyer went to be with the Lord. He often referred to me as “Grant the Web Guru.” That was his official title for me, rather than the usual “webmaster”. It was his way of letting me know that he was comfortable with entrusting his words into my hands. Whenever we talked about graphics, or layout or site direction, he would always say, “You’re the Guru.”

Do you know what an honor it is to be entrusted with the thoughts and words of another? I take it very seriously. I guess that’s why I am a preacher.

When I read that one word in an e-mail this past week, all I feel about Jerry came to the surface. I miss him! I miss the coaxing and the prodding I would have to do each Christmas to get him to write something (Jerry was never big on Christmas or at least on what Christmas has become). At the same time I am so happy I did the prodding. During my redesigning I’ve gone through every one of Jerry’s Christmas pieces and they are all so human, honest, perceptive, and heart-felt—just like Jerry.

Christmas is a time when we feel more profoundly the absence of those who are no longer here. I feel that loneliness a little more this year. But that’s not a bad thing. The loneliness is evidence of mutual connectedness and personal investment. It is also a teacher that tutors me to treasurer the relationships that remain.

Thankfully Christmas is also remembering the birth of the One who makes eternal reunions possible!