This post has been updated with additional information.
Daniel Medders, my sister Heather Currie Medders' brother-in-law, passed away on Thursday evening after spending a week in ICU following an incident which left him with a traumatic brain injury.
My prayers this early morning are for his parents, Mike and Christa, and his siblings, Rick and Michelle, and the rest of his family, including nephews and nieces. Daniel was much loved.
His immediate family was with him much of the week. Before Daniel was taken off life support we offered prayers to God. We also read Psalm 23 from the Hebrew Scriptures as translated by Eugene Peterson in The Message:
1-3 God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I'm not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd's crook
makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Daniel was a music lover and played himself and it is this song from Tracy Chapman that has stuck with me throughout this evening. So I post it here for Daniel and for all his family and friends grieving today.
It is a song of hope that perhaps will bring some comfort to those hurting: Say Hallelujah!
Updated: A message from Christa Medders from her Facebook page:
Christa Medders
Daniel's viewing will be Monday & Tuesday, July 5 & 6, 9:00 am - 7:00 pm. at Donelson Fir Lawn Memorial Center, 1070 West Main Street, Hillsboro, OR. Phone 503-640-2277. There will be markers there to write and draw on Daniel's casket. We are planning a celebration of Life for sometime in August. Please share the word.
This obituary was printed in The Hillsboro Argus:
Daniel Scott Medders was born Sept. 8,1981 in Portland,OR to Christa and Michael Medders. He joined his older brother and sister in a family who loved and cherished him from the moment he arrived. He spent his early years growing up in a small town where it was normal for him to be seen with his brother or sister at high school events with their dates while still a young boy. Daniel was loved by all who knew him. He was a gentle, sweet, caring, loyal person who worried a lot about his fellow man and the earth and tried to do things to help both. Daniel loved figuring out how things worked and to create things with this hands. Drawing was a first and lifelong love of his and then along came guitar playing as well as listening to any style or form of music. Daniel was interested in music for it's meaning, what it was, where it came from and how and why it was made. He spent many hours with his buddies perfecting his skate boarding moves and tricks and this was another activity he enjoyed to its fullest. His dog Hooch was truly a piece of his heart. Hooch was his buddy, wingman and confidant for many years and Daniel loved him with all his heart. Known as Uncle Dan to his nieces and nephews, he was considered by them to be fun, playful, loving, easy to talk to, and someone they all looked up to. Some of his favorite moments were spent enjoying good times with his many cousins, whom he loved more than they could ever know. Daniel was funny and had an excellent, wry sense of humor. His laugh was contagious, boisterous and full. He loved being happy. In his late teens and until his passing, Daniel enjoyed his other passion, cooking. All styles of cooking interested him and he was very proud to learn how to prepare and serve sushi at a fine Japanese restaurant as one of his many cooking accomplishments. He loved to explore and learn different cuisines and learned to prepare and serve many delicious plates of food that were enjoyed by hundreds, including family & friends. Daniel loved being social and made many friends who he cared for deeply. He was also close and loving with his mom and dad, brother and sister and their entire families. Daniel passed away peacefully July 1, 2010. His surviving family members include his mom and dad; Rick, Heather, Dylan & Devin Medders; Michelle, Jim, Michaela, Hayden, Zachary & Jami Leeper; and Jake, Katie, Steve and Cindy Hauser, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He leaves friends too many to mention but they know who they are and how much Daniel loved each and every one of them. Daniel left us all many good memories. In lieu of flowers we know Daniel would appreciate donations made in his name to his favorite charity, Dead Dog Walking Pit Bull Rescue, http://www.deaddogwalkingpitbullrescue.org/, or by mail at 5630 Wahtonka Rd, The Dalles, OR 97058. This is a 501(c)3 registered non-profit charity. A Celebration of Daniel's Life will be held in August 2010 with more details to follow.
