Its been a strange 24 hours. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a friends dad, Gray Calvin. (Although, I want to make it clear, I am also friends with his wife, mother-in-law and niece, it just seems simpler to describe it the other way.) He was a quiet man, Im not sure I heard him say more than a sentence or two... ever, who had worked for the same employer my entire lifetime. Gray was dedicated and loyal. I was grateful a fire didnt start, as so many extra chairs had been added, it would have been impossible for everyone to safely flee. (Thankfully, closest panic we had was several folks dramatically gasping when a small light bulb in a chandelier went out and made a popping sound.) Gray had definitely made an impact on those around him, as demonstrated by the turnout. There were a small set of deer antlers in the arrangement on his wooden casket, and a feather or two, that reflected his love for the outdoors and hunting. It was a very loving tribute to a loved and respected man. I went to the graveside service, cringing as I stepped on graves from the 1800s. (Its not like they knew I was walking on them, but it just seemed disrespectful and Im not confident in how those graves were sealed, honestly. The last thing this very curvy woman needs to do is step down on a weak area and share some space, even just momentarily, with a dead stranger, but I digress!) The pastor said we had come as far with Gray as we could go. What a striking thought! He went on to explain that Gray was actually in heaven, so for a fellow believer, this was actually goodnight, not goodbye. We can have the faith and confidence that we will see him again. As Christians we have hope in the future! Isnt that wonderful? Its goodnight, not goodbye. I love that. Grief is a weird thing. Each of us handle it in a different way. Some cried, grieving at the personal loss of their loved one. Gray will always be missed on earth. Some seemed joyful, solely confident in their assurance he was in heaven. Everyone was relieved that his pain and misery was over. Please pray for his family to be able to navigate in their grief, in the weeks ahead. Christmas is always challenging after a loss, but especially so when the loss is this recent. The day also consisted of: an accident; a tractor cutting off traffic on the highway and coming way too close to a man with a large pack on his back and wearing all camo; my father-in-law needing emergency care; the realization that my Grandma Nina would have been 92 that day; attempting not to laugh at a conversation going on behind me about how it had taken 45 minutes for the guy to find his pants (dress pants for the funeral-but it was a funny story that I didnt get to hear the end of) and the discovery that its been way too long since Ive driven on dirt roads. It was a very full day! Thankful for a safe trip there and back and the opportunity to celebrate the life of Gray. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to him, Lord, we dont know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:1-6
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 11:36:54 +0000
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