Tony Campolo is someone who consistently impresses me with his ability to see lessons in life which others typically miss. He is a gifted, amazingly versatile, man. Campolo is a sociologist by training, but has also served as a pastor, author, public speaker and even a spiritual advisor to former President Bill Clinton.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, Campolo has not lost his down-to- earth attitude, nor has he fallen into the trap of taking himself too seriously. The following story illustrates not only his humility but also his kindness.
Campolo wrote, “I’m 50 years old, but when you’re Italian and your mother calls and tells you to do something, you do it.” His mother told him, “Tony, Mrs. Kilpatrick died and you need to go to her funeral.”
Mrs. Kilpatrick was a neighbor while Campolo was growing up in Philadelphia. So, when his mother said he needed to attend the funeral there was no hesitation. He did as his mother asked and went to the mortuary the day of her memorial service. That day he was running late. He rushed into the service, sat down then realized he and the woman sitting in front of him were the only ones there.
A quick glance at the casket confirmed his suspicion, the man lying there was certainly not Mrs. Kilpatrick. He was about to leave to find the correct service when the dead man’s wife touched his hand and asked, “Did you know him?”
Campolo could not bring himself to directly answer the woman’s question and in that moment knew he had to stay. The thought of the woman being alone at her husband’s funeral was too much to bear. He not only stayed for the funeral but rode with the grieving widow to the graveside and stood beside her as she said her final goodbye.