Saying Goodbye to Lenny. May, 1992: Martha’s Vineyard, MA

It was evidence of the number of friends Lenny left behind by the crowd that attended his memorial service. He was present in a box of ashes. He had no written will, but left behind instructions for his friends to dispense of his ashes as they saw fit. His brother, as next of kin, took possession of Lenny’s ashes. After the ceremony a large gathering of friends who had been in attendance with him for the past few weeks congregated at the house on the lagoon where Lenny had passed over. It was a gorgeous afternoon and folks sat on the lawn in small groups and shared small personal anecdotes about how Lenny touched their lives. Along with the stories, food was brought and shared. One friend brought a small rose bush to plant in Lenny’s honor.
After a time we arrived at consensus to sprinkle half of his ashes in the lagoon. A small contingent carried that half to a small dock. Amidst small readings and personal salutations, spoonfuls of Lenny’s ashes were carried by a slight breeze toward the water. Soon that half was dispersed. It was undecided where the rest would be distributed, The rosebush and remainder of Lenny’s ashes would have to find a home on someone’s land. I and two others gathered the rosebush and ashes and headed into Oak Bluffs. At top of Circuit Avenue was a pedestrian mall where Lenny frequently sat conducting his ministry. Lenny referred to the spot as, “Up on the hill.” That was often his destination if you ever asked him where he was headed. It seemed an appropriate place to leave a living memorial.
On the Circuit Avenue end of the mall was a small raised bed planter. It was contained by a brick wall that offered a fine sitting place for resting and observing the traffic, pedestrian or vehicle. This spot was often where one could find Lenny watching over his flock. He neither regarded himself as a street preacher or evangelist. Lenny saw himself as a friend amongst friends, a worker among workers. It was at this spot we decided to place his rosebush. Since we did not have permission from the town to leave the bush or ashes in their planter, our task became somewhat furtive. Quickly I scooped out a hole with my bare hands, placed his ashes at the bottom and stuck the rose bush on top. Next all three of us pushed the dirt back over the roots, stopped and offered a thoughtful prayer and said goodbye to our dear friend. Lenny approved of our choice of spot. A year later, the town renewed the planting in that bed and took out the rose bushes. Today Lenny’s ashes are pushing up other plantings. His work continues.

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