Harland Dietrich was a friend with a warm smile, an engaging spirit, and a servant to others.
I first met Harland on the basketball court at Lifetime Fitness in Maple Grove where we had some nice lunch-time battles. Harland was very accepting of others, fiercely competitive, but always had a smile on his face, whether it was masking his frustration at my tenacious defense or grinning due to making another of his patented scoop layups. I remember talking to my friend Ryan after being humiliated by Harland's game-winning antics and saying 'How does he make those?'.
After awhile, I stopped playing at noon but met up again with him at Granite City and later Crave Restaurant in St. Louis Park where he served. Harland would always come over and discuss life, typically asking more about my family, work, etc. than divulging his own circumstances.
Yesterday, I was extremely saddened to read this article (http://www.startribune.com/local/west/189567501.html) but even more horrified to see my friend's name and face.
Admittedly, I didn't know Harland as well as i would have liked but Harland's legacy of a servant lifestyle, his Christ-like example of putting other's needs before his own will last in my memory.
The apostle Paul speaks about this when he said, 'Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others' (Philippians 2:4).
This tragedy brings to light the brevity of this life. With the recent passing of my mother and now my friend, I feel compelled to ask my readers about their eternal destiny and to humbly request that you consider the claims of Christ, and know without a doubt that you are deeply loved by God.
Grace and Peace to the Dietrich family.
PLW
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