It is tough to wrap the mind around such a tragedy. Pastor Jeff Geske, his wife Laura, and their three children were driving west on I-70 when a driver (reason still unknown at this writing) veered out of the eastbound lanes, came across the grassy median and hit their van head on. Laura, Joshua (8) and Joy (3) were killed instantly. Jeff and Jacob (Joy’s fraternal twin) survived with comparatively minimal injuries.
The feelings are still too raw to try to think through and analyze the dynamics, looking for ways to make sense of such a thing. There is no sense to be made of it. Having gone through tragedies with very many others in forty years of ministry, there will be time to process the event and look back on it, finding profoundly meaningful elements, what might ultimately be recognized to be great good out of tragedy. What happened is not good. What is good is that in the Christian tradition of which these people are a part, of which I am a part, there are resources for survival, even survival with hope. Those resources provide an understanding of a secure present and future for those who did not survive.
The struggle remains for Pastor Jeff and Jacob to make sense of life again without Laura, Joshua and Joy spending it with them. Pastors do not feel pain any less intensely than anyone else. They are no less devastated than anyone else would be. They, along with all who are Christian, have very specific resources from a connection with Someone who provides strength when human strength fails to a community of support that is caring, ready to surround them with love.
Saturday afternoon when this happened a few miles west of here on Interstate 70, I had just started traveling east on Interstate 70, heading to Kansas City. I had a great meal in mid-town Kansas City at a restaurant bistro called Nica’s 320 with my Son, Micah and Granddaughter Chloe. Mom Becky was home sick with a cold. It is hard to incorporate into my reality that first little grandchild of ours having become a beautiful young lady who can pretty much look me in the eye now.
After dinner, I went on to the Kauffman Center (oblivious to what had happened on that Interstate not long before). There I saw a performance by Parson’s Dance. I was overwhelmed by the skill and creativity, moved by deep emotion expressed, wowed by a single dancer performing in a strobe light creating the illusion that he was hanging absolutely still in mid-air in various positions for the six minute piece. One piece found the grief corner in me as a death was portrayed in a very expressive and moving way.
After discovering (through Facebook) what had happened to the Geske family when I got home, all of a sudden my grief moments moved from center stage to a barely visible margin of reality. On Friday at the Dermatologist’s office, thoughts of Mary Ann’s struggles surfaced since we had spent so much time there (negotiating very inaccessible rooms and hallways and entry way) dealing with the removal of skin Cancers. On the way home from the Kauffman Center Saturday evening I was wishing I had someone or some group to spend time with talking about the dramatic display I had just seen just to unwind. When I arrived home and saw what had happened, I immediately stopped feeling sorry for myself. While there is no comparing one person’s grief to another’s, the loss in an instant of most of a whole family is almost too much to bear.
I was contacted yesterday evening by one of the local television stations to do an interview, sharing my perception of the impact of this event on the congregation at the morning worship service. While most of the interview was not used, it was helpful to me to talk it through as the videographer asked questions. As the Facebook conversation continues, it is clear that the support for Pastor Jeff and Jacob is growing at a blinding speed. Yes, it is a horrible tragedy. Nothing any of us can say or do will change that. At the same time there is being released an avalanche of love and concern and a willingness to do whatever it will take to support Pastor Jeff and Jacob as they build a new life together.
All who pray are encouraged to keep Pastor Jeff Geske, his son Jacob, their extended family, his congregation and all those who love that family in your prayers.
Dear Peter and friends, I read with great sadness of the loss, I would not know where to start if faced with such a loss. Its a reminder that we need to make the most of each precious minute we are given. My thoughts are with the Geske family and their many friends in your community.
From KSNT – NBC affiliate – Jan 30 2012
Today we’re learning more about the family involved in yesterday’s accident on I-70 near Valencia Road that resulted in three fatalities and sent two other family members to the hospital.
After talking to friends of the Geske family, there is an update on the status of the two surviving family members.
Both parents in the Geske family have been very influential in their churches and communities. Jeff Geske is a pastor at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Salina who just went on as pastor back on December 4. Jeff’s wife Laura was previously a teacher at Topeka Lutheran School.
The accident happened around 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The family was traveling westbound in their Ford Windstar on I-70 about two and a half miles west of Topeka when a Dodge Challenger crossed the center median and crashed into their vehicle.
Laura Geske and two of the children, Joy, age 3, and Joshua, age 8, were pronounced dead. Jeff Geskey and the family’s third child, Jacob, age 3, were transported to Stormont-Vail. Both Jeff and Jacob were released on Sunday.
In Salina, where Jeff has been serving as pastor, Chairman Craig Stephenson spoke about his recent visit with Jeff in the hospital.
“There was such an outpouring of of love for the Geskes as we were in Omaha and got the word. We travelled down got to the hospital and all I had to do at the desk was say, ‘I’m from the Christ the King congregation. Our pastor is in the back,’ and we were escorted right back there,” Stephenson said.
Stephenson said the support for the family from the congregation, from officers and from all medical and emergency staff has been wonderful.
He said both Jeff and Jacob are doing better physically but that how this affects them mentally is yet to be seen. Stephenson also said the Geskes influence not only people in the congregation in Salina, but also those all over northeast Kansas from previous congregations.
Another member of Christ the King said that, even though the family had only been there since December, they were already just like family to the congregation.
Stephen Moore from Topeka was driving the other vehicle involved in the accident. A communications representative from Stormont-Vail said the status of Moore is not available.